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Johnson, Poweshiek and 

Iowa Counties 

IOWA 



CONTAINING 



Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens, 

ALSO BIOGRAPHIES OF THE PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES 



CHICAGO 

CHAPMAN BROS 

1893 




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1 1 E greatest of English historians, Macaulat, and one of the most brilliant writers of 
the present century-, has said: "The history of a country is best told in a record of the 
lives of its people." In conformity with this idea the Pokthait and Biographical 
Ri;coiti) Qf tij[g county has been prepared. Instead of going to musty records, and 
taking therefrom dry statistical matter that can bo appreciated by but few, our 
corps of writers have gone to the people, the men and women who have, by then- 
enterprise and industry, brought the county to rank second to none among those 
comprising this great and noble State, and from their lips have the story of their life 
struggles. No more interesting or instructive matter could be presented to an intelli- 
gent public. In this volume will be found a record of many whose lives are worthy the 
imitation of coining generations. It tells how some, commencing life in poverty, by 
industry and economy have accumulated wealth. It tells how others, with limited 
advantages for securing an education, have become learned men and women, with an 
>,31,; iiitluence extending throughout the length and breadth of the land. It tells of men who 
have risen from the lower walks of life to eminence as statesmen, and whose names have 
become famous. It tells of those in every walk in life who have striven to succeed, and 
^ records how that success has usually crowned their efforts. It tells also of many, very 

many, wlio, not seeking the applause of the world, have pursued "the even tenor of their waj'," content 
to have it said of them as Christ said of the woman performing a deed of mercy — "they have done what 
they could." It tells how that many in the pride and strength of young manhood left the plow and the 
anvil, the lawyer's office and the counting-room, left every trade and profession, and at their country's 
call went forth valiantly "to do or die," and how through their efforts the Union was restored and peace 
once more reigned in the land. In the life of every man and of every woman is a lesson that should not 
be lost upon those who follow after. 

Coming generations will appreciate this volume and preserve it as a sacred treasure, from the fact 
that it contains so much that would never find its way into public records, and which would otherwise be 
inaccessible. Great care has been taken in the compilation of the work and every opportunity possil>lp 
given to those represented to insure correctness in what has been written, and the publishers flatter them 
selves that they give to their readers n work with few errors of consequence. In addition to tlie biograph 
ical sketches, portraits of a number of representative citizens are given. 

The faces of some, and biographical sketches of many, will be missed in this volume. For this the 
publishers are not to blame. Not having a proper conception of the work, some refused to give the 
iuform.ation necessary to compile a sketch, while others were indifferent. Occasionally sot.o member of 
the family would oppose the enterprise, and on account of such oj)position the support of the interested 
one would be withheld. In a few instances men could never be found, though repeated calls were made 
at their residence or place of business. 

-lulv, 18U3. CHAl'MAN BROS. 







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FIRST PRESIDENT. 





HE Father of our Country was 
"ILborn in Westmorland Co., Va., 
Feb. 2 2, 1732. His parents 
were Augustine and Mary 
(Ball) Washington. The family 
to which he belonged has not 
been satisfactorily traced in 
England. His great-grand- 
father, John Washington, em- 
igrated to Virginia about 1657, 
and became a prosperous 
planter. He had two sons, 
Lawrence and John. The 
former married Mildred Warner 
and had three children, John, 
Augustine and Mildred. Augus- 
tine, the father of George, first 
married Jane Butler, who bore 
him four children, two of whom, 
Lawrence and Augustine, reached 
maturity. Of six children by his 
second marriage, George was the 
eldest, the others being Betty, 
Samuel, John Augustine, Charles 
and Mildred. 
Augustine Washington, the father of George, died 
in 1743, leaving a large landed property. To his 
eldest son, Lawrence, he bequeathed an estate on 
the Patomac, afterwards known as Mount Vernon, 
and to George he left the parental residence. George 
received only such education as the neighborhood 
schools afforded, save for a short time after he left 
school, wlien he received private instruction in 
mathematics. His spellins; v.'as rather defectiv*. 



Remarkable stories are told of his great physica: 
strength and development at an early age. He wa,i 
an acknowledged leader among his companions, and 
was early noted for that nobleness of character, fair- 
ness and veracity which characterized his whole life. 

When George was 1 4 years old hehad a desire to go to 
sea, and a midshipman's warrant was secured for him, 
but through the opposition of his mother the idea was 
abandoned. Two years later he was appointed 
surveyor to the immense estate of Lord Fairfax. In 
this business he spent three years in a rough frontier 
life, gaining experience which afterwards proved very 
essential to him. In 1757, though only 19 years of 
age, he was appointed adjutant with the rank of 
major in the Virginia militia, then being trained for 
active service against the French and Indians. Soon 
after this he sailed to the West Indies with his brother 
Lawrence, who went there to restore his health. They 
soon returned, and in the summer of 1752 Lawrence 
died, leaving a large fortune to an infant daughter 
who did not long survive him. On her demise the 
estate of Mount Vernon was given to George. 

Upon the arrival of Robert Dinwiddie, as Lieuten- 
ant-Governor of Virginia, in 1752, the militia was 
reorganized, and the province divided into four mili- 
tary districts, of which the northern was assigned to 
Washington as adjutant general. Shortly after this 
a very perilous mission was assigned him and ac- 
cepted, which others had refused. This was to pro- 
ceed to the French post near Lake Erie in North- 
western Pennsylvania. The distance to lie traversed 
was between 500 and 600 miles. Winter was at hand, 
and the journey was to be made without military 
escort, through a territory occupied by Indians. Tb« 



GEORGE WASHINGTON. 



trip was a perilous one, and several limes he came near 
losing his life, yet he returned in safety and furnished 
a. full and useful report of his expedition. A regiment 
of 300 men was raised in Virginia and put in com- 
mand of Col. Joshua Fry, and Major Washington was 
commissioned lieutenant-colonel. Active war was 
then begun against the French and Indians, in which 
Washington took a most important part. In the 
memorable event of July 9, 1755, known as Brad- 
djck's defeat, Washington was almost the only officer 
of distinction who escaped from the calamities of the 
day with life and honor. The other aids of Braddock 
were disabled early in the action, and Washington 
alone was left in that capacity on the field. In a letter 
to his brother he says : " I had four bullets through 
my coat, and two horses shot under me, yet I escaped 
unhurt, though death was leveling my companions 
on every sid£." An Indian sharpshooter said he was 
not born to be killed by a bullet, for he had taken 
direct aim at him seventeen times, and failed to hit 
him. 

After having been five years in the military service, 
and vainly sought promotion in the royal army, he 
took advantage of the fall of Fort Duquesne and the 
expulsion of the French from the valley of the Ohio, 
to resign his conmiission. Soon after he entered the 
Legislature, where, although not a leader, he took an 
active and important part. January 17, 1759, he 
married Mrs. Martha (Dandridge) Custis, the wealthy 
widow of John Parke Custis. 

When the British Parliament had closed the port 
•af Boston, the cry went up throughout the provinces 
that "The cause of Boston is the cause of us all." 
It was then, at the suggestion of Virginia, that a Con- 
gress of all the colonies was called to meet at Phila- 
dcl[jhia,Sept. 5, 1774, to secure their common liberties, 
peaceably if possible. To this Congress Col. Wash- 
ington was sent as a delegate. On May 10, 1775, the 
Congress re-assembled, when the hostile intentions of 
England were plainly apparent. The battles of Con- 
cord and Lexington had been fought. Among the 
first acts of this Congress was the election of a coin- 
mander-in-chief of the colonial forces. This high and 
responsible office was conferred upon Washington, 
who was still a member of the Congress. He accepted 
it on June 19, but upon the express condition that he 
receive no salary. He would keep an exact account 
of expenses and expect Congress 10 pay them and 
nothing more. It is not the object of this sketch to 
trace the military acts of Washington, to whom the 
fortunes and liberties of the people of this country 
were so long confided. The war was conducted by 
him under every possible disadvantage, and while his 
forces often met with reverses, yet he overcame every 
obstacle, and after seven years of heroic devotion 
and matchless skill he gained liberty for the greatest 
nation of earth. On Dec. 23, 1783, Washington, in 
a parting address of surpassing beauty, resigned his 



commission as commander-in-chief of the army to 
to the Continental Congress sitting at Annapolis. He 
retired immediately to Mount Vernon and resumed 
his occupation as a farmer and planter, shunning all 
connection with public life. 

In February, 1789, Washington was unanimously 
elected President. In his presidential career he was 
subject to the peculiar trials incidental to a new 
government ; trials from lack of confidence on the part 
of other governments; trials from want ol harmony 
between the different sections of our own country; 
trials from the impoverished condition of the country, 
owmg to the war and want of credit; trials from the 
beginnings of party strife. He was no partisan. His 
clear judg.nent could discern the golden mean ; and 
while perhaps this alone kept our government fronj 
sinking at the very outset, it left him exposed to 
attacks from both sides, which were often bitter and 
very annoying. 

At the expiration of his first term he was unani- 
mously re-elected. At the end of this term many 
were anxious that he be re-elected, but he absolutely 
refused a third nomination. On the fourth of Mart h, 
1797, at the expiraton of his second term as Presi- 
dent, he returned to his home, hoping to pass there 
his few remaining years free from the annoyances of 
public life. Later in the year, however, his repose 
seemed likely to Ije interrupted by war with France. 
At the prospect of such a war he was again urged to 
take command of the armies. He chose his sub- 
ordinate officers and left to them the charge of mat- 
ters in the field, which he superintended from his 
home. In accepting the command he made the 
reservation that he was not to be in the field until 
it was necessary. In the midst of these preparations 
his life was suddenly cut off. December 1 2, he took 
a severe cold from a ride in the rain, which, settling 
in his throat, produced inflammation, and terminated 
fatally on the night of the fourteenth. On the eigh- 
teenth his body was borne wi'h military iionors to its 
final resting place, and interred in the family vault at 
Mount Vernon. 

Of the character of Washington it is impossible to 
speak but in terms of the highest respect and ad- 
miration. The more we see of the operations of 
our government, and the more deeply we feel the 
difficulty of uniting all opinions in a common interest, 
the more highly we must estimate the force of his tal- 
ent and character, which have hi<^n able to challenge 
the reverence of all parties, and principles, and na- 
tions, and to win a fame as extended as the limits 
of the globe, aiid which we cannot but believe will 
be as lasting as the existence of man. 

The person of Washington was unusally tan, erect 
and well proportioned. His muscular strength was 
great. His features were of a beautiful sj'mmetrN' 
He commanded respect without any appearance of 
haughtiness, and ever serious without l^ii't; dull. 




Jd'/i ^^r/zm-^^ 



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SECOND PRESIDENT. 



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OHN ADAMS, the second 

, President and the first Vice- 

^^ President of the United States, 

was born in Braintree ( now 

Quincy),Mass., and about ten 

^^""^ miles from Boston, Oct. 19, 

1735. His great-grandfather, Henry 

\dams, emigrated from England 

\ 1 lOUt 1 640, with a family of eight 

sons, and settled at Braintree. The 

parents of John were John and 

Susannah (Boylston) Adams. His 

father was a farmer of limited 

f means, to which he added the bus- 
iness of shoemaking. He gave his 
eldest son, John, a classical educa- 
' tion at Harvard College. John 

graduated in 1755, and at once took charge of the 
school in Worcester, Mass. This he found but a 
''sciiool of affliction," from which he endeavored to 
gain relief by devoting himself, in addition, to the 
study of law. For this purpose he placed himself 
under the tuition of the only lawyer in the town. He 
had thought seriously of the clerical profession 
but seems to have been turned from this by what he 
termed " the frightful engines of ecclesiastical coun- 
jils, cf diabolical malice, and Calvanistic good nature,'' 
of the operations of which he had been a witness in 
his native town. He was well fitted for the legal 
profession, possessing a clear, sonorous voice, being 
ready and fluent of speech, and having quick percep- 
tive powers. He gradually gained practice, and in 
1764 married Aljigail Smith, a daughter of a minister, 
and a lady of superior intelligence. Shortly after his 
marriage, (i7C'5), the attempt of Parliamentary taxa- 
tion turned him from law to politics. He took initial 
steps toward hcldin^, a town meeting, and the resolu- 



tions he offered on the subject became very popular 
throughout the Province, and were adopted word for 
word by over forty different towns. He moved to Bos- 
ton in 1768, and became one of the most courageous 
and prominent advocatesof the popular cause, and 
was chosen a member of the General Court (the Leg- 
lislature) in 1770. 

Mr. Adams was chosen one of the first delegates 
from Massachusetts to the first Continental Congress, 
which met in 1774. Here he distinguished himselt 
by his capacity for business and for debate, and ad- 
vocated the movement for independence against the 
majority of the members. In May, 1776, he moved 
and carried a resolution in Congress that the Colonies! 
should assume the duties of self-government. Hq 
was a prominent member of the committee of iivei 
appointed June 11, to prepare a declaration of inde- 
pendence. This article was drawn by Jefferson, but 
on Adams devolved the task of battling it through 
Congress in a three days debate. 

On the day after the Declaration of Independence 
was passed, while his soul was yet warm with tht 
glow of excited feeling, he wrote a letter to his wife 
which, as we read it now, seems to have been dictated 
by the spirit of prophecy. "Yesterday," he says, "the 
greatest quesrion was decided that ever was debated 
in America; and greater, perhaps, never was or wiL 
be decided among men. A resolution was passed 
without one dissenting colony, ' that these United 
States are, and of right ought to be, free and inde- 
pendent states.' The day is passed. The fourth of 
July, 1776, will be a memorable epoch in the history 
of America. I am apt to believe it vnll be celebrated 
by succeeding generations, as the great anniversary 
festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of 
deliverance by solemn acts of devotion to Almighty 
God. It ought to be solemnized with pomp, showt 



JOHN ADAMS. 



games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations 
from one end of the continent to the other, from this 
lime forward for ever. You will think me transported 
with enthusiasm, but I am not. I am well aware of 
the toil, and blood and treasure, that it will cost to 
mauitain this declaration, and support and defend 
these States; yet, through all the gloom, I can see the 
rays of light and glory. I can see that the end is 
Wkjrth more than all the means; and that posterity 
will triumph, although you and I may rue, which I 
hope we shall not." 

lu November, 1777, Mr. Adams was appointed a 
dalegate to France and to co-operate with Bemjamin 
Franklin and Arthur Lee, who were then in Paris, in 
the endeavor to obtain assistance in arms 5nd money 
from the French Government. This was a severe trial 
to his patriotism, as it separated him from his home, 
compelled him to cross the ocean in winter, and ex- 
posed him to great peiil of capture by the British cruis- 
ers, who were seeking him. He left France June 17, 
1779. In September of the same year he was again 
chosen to go to Paris, and there hold himself in readi- 
ness to negotiate a treaty of peace and of commerce 
with Great Britian, as soon as the British Cabinet 
might be found willing to listen to such pioiX)sels. He 
sailed for France in November, from there he went to 
Hilland, where he negotiated important loans and 
formed important commercial treaties 

Finally a treaty of peace with England was signed 
Jan. 21, 1783. The re-action from the excitement, 
toil and anxiety through which Mr. ./^danis had passed 
threw him into a fever. After suffering from a con- 
tinued fever and becoming feeble and emaciated he 
was advised to go to England to drink the waters of 
Bath. While in England, still drooping anddes[X3nd- 
ing, he received dispatches from his own government 
urging the necessity of his going to Amsterdam to 
negotiate another loan. It was winter, his health was 
delicate, yet he immediately set out, and through 
storm, on sea, on horseback and foot,hemade the trip. 

February 24, 1785. Congress appointed Mr. Adams 
envoy to the Court of St. James. Here he met face 
to face the King of England, who had so long re- 
garded him as a traitor. As England did not 
condescend to appoint a minister to the United 
States, and as Mr. Adams felt that he was accom- 
plishing but little, he sought permission to return to 
nis own country, where he arrived in June, 1788. 

When Washington was first chosen President, John 
Adams, rendered illustiious by his signal services at 
home and abroad, was chosen Vice President, .\gain 
at the second election of Washington as President, 
Adams was chosen Vice President. In 1796, Wash- 
ington retired from public life, and Mr. Adams was 
elected President,though not without much opposition. 
S;;rving in this office four vears.he was succeeded by 
Mr. Jefferson, his opponent in politics. 

While Mr. Adams was Vice President the great 



French Revolution shook the continent of Euroi>e, 
and it was upon this point which he was at issue wnh 
the majority of his countrymen led by Mr. Jefferson. 
Mr. Adams felt no sympathy with the French peo).ile 
in their struggle, for he had no confidence in their 
power of self-government, and he utterly abhored the 
classof atheist philosophers who he claimed caused it. 
On the other hand Jefferson's sympathies were stiongly 
enlisted in behalf of the French people. Hence or- 
iginated the alienation between these distinguished 
men, and two powerful parties were thus soon orgai.- 
i/ed, Adams at the head of the one whose sympathies 
were with England and Jefferson led the other in 
sympathy with France. 

The world has seldom seen a spectacle of more 
moral beauty and grandeur, than was presented by the 
old age of Mr. Adams. The violence of party feeling 
had died away, and he had begun to receive that just 
appreciation which, to most men, is not accorded till 
after death. No one could look upon his venerable 
form, and think of what he had done and suffered, 
and how he had given up all the prime and strength 
of his life to the public good, without the deepest 
emotion of gratitude and respect. It was his peculiar 
good fortune to witness the complete success of the 
institution which he had been so active in creating and 
supix)rting. In 1824, his cup of happiness was filled 
to the brim, by seeing his son elevated to the highest 
station in the gift of the people. 

The fourth of July, 1826, which completed the half 
century since the signing of the Declaration of Inde- 
pendence, arrived, and there were but three of the 
signers of that immortal instrument left upon the 
earth to hail its morning light. And, as it is 
well known, on that day two of these finished their 
earthly pilgrimage, a coincidence so remarkable as 
to seem miraculous. For a few days before Mr. 
Adams had been rapidly failing, and on the morning 
of the fourth he found himself too weak to rise from 
his bed. On being requested to name a toast for the 
customary celebration of the day, he exclaimed "In- 
dependence FOREVER." When the day was ushered 
in, by the ringing of bells and the firing of cannons, 
he was asked by one of his attendants if he knew 
what day it was? He replied, "O yes; it is the glor- 
ious fourth of July — God bless it — God bless you all." 
In the course of the day he said, "It is a great and 
glorious day." The last words he uttered were, 
"Jefferson survives." But he had, at one o clock, re- 
signed his spirit into the hands of his God. 

The personal appearance and manners of Mr- 
Adams were not particularly prepossessing. His face, 
as his portrait manifests.was intellect\ial ard expres- 
sive, but his figure was low and ungraceful, and h'S 
manners were frequently abrupt and unconrteous, 
He had neither the lofty digrity of W.nshington, nrr 
the engaging elegance and gr.Tcefulness which Uiarked 
the manners and address of Jefferson. 




'ifJM^ /.. f//r 



TBIRD PRESIDENT. 




<rS^_\ . 










THOMAS JEPTEBSOW 






HOMAS JEFFERSON was 
born April 2, 1743, at Shad- 
well, Albermarle county, Va. 
His parents were Peter and 
jane ( Randolph) Jefferson, 
the former a native of Wales, 
and the latter born in Lon- 
don. To them were born six 
daughters and two sons, of 
whom Thomas was the elder. 
When 14 years of age his 
father died. He received a 
most liberal education, hav- 
ing been kept diligently at school 
from the time he was five years of 
age. In 1760 he entered William 
end Mary College. Williamsburg was then the seat 
of the Colonial Court, and it was the obodeof fashion 
a.id splendor. Young Jefferson, who was then 17 
years old, lived somewhat expensively, keeping fine 
horses, and much caressed by gay society, yet he 
was earnestly devoted lo his studies, and irreproacha- 
able in his morals. It is strange, however, under 
such influences,that he was not ruined. In the sec- 
ond year of his college course, moved by some un- 
explained inward impulse, he discarded his horses, 
society, and even his favorite violin, to which he had 
previously given much time. He often devoted fifteen 
iiou'.s a day to hard study, allowing himself for ex- 
ercise only a run in the evening twilight of a mile out | 
of the city and back again. He thus attained very 
high intellectual culture, alike excellence in philoso- 
phy and the languages. The most difficult Latin and 
Greek -authors he read with facility. A more finished 
scholar has seldom gone forth from college halls; and ' 



there was not to be found, perhaps, in all Virginia, a 
more pureminded, upright, gentlemanly young man. 

Immediately upon leaving college he began the 
study of law. For the short time he continued in the 
practice of his profession he rose rapidly and distin- 
guished himself by his energy and accuteness as a 
lawyer. But the times called for greater action. 
The policy of England had awakened the spirit of 
resistance of the American Colonies, and the enlarged 
views which Jefferson had ever entertained, soon led 
him into active political life. In 1769 he was chosen 
a member of the Virginia House of Burgesses, In 
1772 he married Mrs. Martha Skelton, a very beauti- 
ful, wealthy and highly accomplished young widow 
Upon Mr. Jefferson's large estate at Shadwell, there 
was a majestic swell of land, called Monticello, which 
commanded a prospect of wonderful extent and 
beauty. This spot Mr. Jefferson selected for his new 
home; and here he reared a mansion of modest ye*^ 
elegant architecture, which, next to Mount Vernon 
became the most distinguished resort in our land. 

In 1775 he was sent to the Cclonial Congress, 
where, though a silent member, his abilities as a 
writer and a reasoner soon become known, and he 
was placed upon a number of important committees, 
and was chairman of the one appointed for the draw- 
ing up of a declaration of independence. This com- 
mittee consisted of Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, 
Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman and Robert R. 
Livingston. Jefferson, as chairman, was appointed 
to draw up the paper. Franklin and Adams suggested 
a few verbal changes before it was submitted to Con- 
gress. On June 28, a few slight changes were made 
in it by Congress, and it was passed and signed July 
4, 1776, What must have been the feelings of that 



aS 



THOMAS JEFF'ERSdW. 



man — what the emotions that swelled his breast^— 
(vho was charged with *he preparation of that Dec- 
laration, which, while it made known the wrongs of 
America, was also to publish her to the world, free, 
soverign and independent. It is one of the most re- 
markable papers ever written ; and did no other effort 
of the mind of its author exist, that alone would be 
sufficient to stamp his name with immortality. 

In 1779 Mr. Jefferson was elected successor to 
Patrick Henry, i'»s Governor of Virginia. At one time 
the British otficer, Tarleton, sent a secret expedition to 
Monticello, to capture the Governor. Scarcely five 
minutes elapsed after the hurried escape of Mr. Jef- 
ferson and his family, ere his mansion was in posses- 
sion of the British troops. His wife's health, never 
very good, was much injured by tliis excitement, and 
in the summer of 1782 she died. 

Mr. Jefferson was elected to Congress in 1783. 
Two years later he was appointed Minister Plenipo- 
tentiary to France. Returning to the United States 
in September, 1789, he became Secretary of State 
in Washington's cabinet. This position he resigned 
Jan. r, 1794. In 1797, he was chosen Vice Presi- 
dent, and four years later was elected President over 
Mr. Adams, with Aaron Burr as Vice President. In 
1804 he was re-elected with wonderful unanimity, 
and George Clinton, Vice President. 

The early part of Mr. Jefferson's second adminstra- 
tion was disturbed by an event which threatened the 
tranquility and peace of the Union; this was the con- 
spiracy of Aaron Burr. Defeated in the late election 
to the Vice Presidency, and led on by an unprincipled 
ambition, this extraordinary man formed the plan of a 
military expedition into the Spanish territories on our 
■southwestern frontier, for the purpose of forming there 
% new republic. This has been generally supposed 
was a mere pretext ; and although it has not been 
generally known what his real plans were, there is no 
doubt that they were of a far more dangerous 
character. 

In 1809, at the expiration of the second term for 
which Mr. Jefferson had been elected, he determined 
to retire from political life. For a period of nearly 
.'brty years, he had been continually before the pub- 
lic, and all that time had been employed in offices of 
the greatest trust and responsibility. Having thus de- 
voted the best part of his life to the service of his 
country, he now felt desirous of that rest which his 
declining years required, and upon the organization of 
the new administration, in March, 1809, he bid fare- 
well forever to public life, and retired to Monticello. 

Mr. Jefferson was profuse in his hospitality. Whole 
families came in their coaches with their horses, — 
fathers and mothers, boys and girls, babies and 
nurses, — and remained three and even six months. 
Life at Monticello, for years, resembled that at a 
fashionable watering-place. 

The fourth of July, 1826, being the fiftieth anniver- i 



sary of the Declaration of American Independence, 
great preparations were nu.de in every part of the 
Union for its celebration, as the nation's jubilee, and 
the citizens of Washington, to add to the solemnity 
of the occasion, invited Mr. Jefferson, as the framer, 
and one of the few surviving signers of the Declara- 
tion, to participate in their festivities. But an ill- 
ness, which had been of several weeks duration, and 
had been continually increasing, compelled him to 
decline the invitation. 

On the second of July, the disease under which 
he was laboring left him, but in such a reduced 
state that his medical attendants, entertained no 
hope of his recovery. From this time he was perfectly 
sensible that his last hour was at hand. On the next 
dny, which was Monday, he asked of those around 
him, the day of the month, and on being told it was 
the third of July, he expressed the earnest wish that 
he might be permitted to breathe the air of the fiftieth 
anniversary. His prayer was heard — that day, whose 
dawn was hailed with such rapture througli our land, 
burst upon his eyes, and then they were closed for- 
ever. And what a noble consummation of a noble 
life! To die on that day, — the birthday of a nation,- - 
the day which his own name and his own act had 
rendered glorious; to die amidst tlie rejoicings and 
festivities of a whole nation, who looked up to him, 
as the author, under God, of their greatest blessings, 
was all that was wanting to fill up the record his life. 

Almost at the same hour of his death, the kin- 
dred spirit of the venerable Adams, as if to bear 
him company, left the scene of his earthly honors. 
Hand in hand they had stood forth, the champions of 
freedom ; hand in hand, during the dark and desper- 
ate struggle of the Revolution, they had cheered and 
animated their desponding countrymen; for half a 
century they had labored together for the good of 
the country; and now hand in hand they depart. 
In their lives they had been united in the same great 
cause of liberty, and in their deaths they were not 
divided. 

In person Mr. Jefferson was tall and thin, rather 
above six feet in height, but well formed; his eyes 
were light, his hair originally red, in after life Ijecame 
white and silvery; his complexion was fair, his fore- 
head broad, and his whole courtenance intelligent and 
thoughtful. He possessed great fortitude of mind as 
well as personal courage ; and >.:s command of tem- 
per was such that his oldest and most intimate friends 
never recollected to have seen him in a passion. 
His manners, though dignified, were simple and un- 
affected, and his hospitality was so unbounded that 
all found at his house a ready welcome. In conver- 
sation he was fluent, eloquent and enthusiastic ; and 
his language was remarkably pure and correct. He 
was a finished classical scholar, and in his writings is 
discernable the care with which he formed his style 
upon the best models of antiquity. 




J (Z^ 



.(yU it^i-c lit: 



FOURTH PRESIDENT. 



3v 



PEQES npDISOI]. 





AMES MADISON, "Father 
of the Constitution," and fourth 
i^" President of the United States, 
was born March i6, 1757, and 
died at his home in Virginia, 
June 28, 1836. The name of 
James Madison is inseparably con- 
nected with most of the important 
events in that heroic period of our 
;, country during which the founda- 
tions of this great repubhc were 
laid. He was the last of the founders 
of the Constitution of the United 
States to lie called to his eternal 
reward. 

The Madison family were among 
the early emigrants to the New World, 
landing u[X)n the shores of the Chesa- 
peake but 15 years after the settle- 
ment of Jamestown. The father of 
James Madison was an opulent 
planter, residing uix)n a very fine es- 
tate called "Montpelier," Orange Co., 
Va. The mansion was situated in 
the midst of scenery highly pictur- 
esque and romantic, on the west side 
of South-west Mountain, at the foot of 
Blue Ridge. It was but 25 miles from the home of 
Jefferson at Monticello. The closest personal and 
])olitical attachment existed between these illustrious 
men, from their early youth until death. 

The early education of Mr. Madison was conducted 
mostly at home under a private tutor. At the age of 
18 he was sent to Princeton College, in New Jersey. 
Here he applied himself to study with the most im- 



prudent zeal; allowing himself, for months, but three 
hours' sleep out of the 24. His health thus became so 
seriously impaired that he never recovered any vigor 
of constitution. He graduated in 177 i, with a feeble 
body, with a character of utmost purity, and with a 
mind highly disciplined and richly stored with learning 
which embellished and gave proficiency to his subsf " 
quent career. 

Returning to Virginia, he commenced the study of 
law and a course of extensive and systematic reading. 
This educational course, the spirit of the times in 
which he lived, and the society with which he asso- 
ciated, all combined to inspire him with a strong 
love of liberty, and to train him for his life-work ot 
a statesman. Being naturally of a religious turn of 
mind, and his frail health leading him to think that 
his life was not to be long, he directed especial atten- 
tion to theological studies. Endowed with a mmd 
singularly free from passion and prejudice, and with 
almost unequalled powers of reasoning, he weighed 
all the arguments for and against revealed religion, 
until his faith became so established as never to 
be shaken. 

In the spring of 1776, when 26 years of age, he 
was elected a member of the Virginia Convention, to 
frame the constitution of the State. The next year 
{1777), he was a candidate for the General Assembly. 
He refused to treat the whisky-loving voters, and 
consequently lost his election ; but those who had 
witnessed the talent, energy and public spirit of the 
modest young man, enlisted themselves in his behalf, 
and he was appointed to the Executive Council. 

Both Patrick Henry and Thomas Jefferson were 
Governors of Virginia while Mr. Madison remained 
member of the Council ; and their appreciation of his 



3^ 



JAMES MADISON. 



tntcllt'Liual, social and moral worth, contributed not 
a little to his subsequent eminence. In the year 
1780, he was elected a member of the Continental 
Congress. Here he met the most illustrious men in 
our land, and he was immediately assigned to one of 
the most conspicuous positions among them. 
I For three years Mr. Madison continued in Con- 
gress, one of its most active and influential members. 
In the year 17S4, his term having expired, he was 
elected a member of the Virginia Legislature. 

No man felt more deeply than Mr. Madison the 
utter inefficiency of the old confederacy, with no na- 
tional government, with no power to form treaties 
which would be binding, or to enforce law. There 
was not any State more prominent than Virginia in 
the declaration, that an efficient national government 
must be formed. In January, 1786, Mr. Madison 
carried a resolution through the General Assembly of 
Virginia, inviting the other States to appoint commis- 
sioners to meet in convention at Annapolis to discuss 
this subject. Five States only were represented. The 
convention, however, issued another call, drawn up 
by Mr. Madison, urging all the States to send their 
delegates to Philadelphia, in May, 1787, to draft 
a Constitution for the United States, to take the place 
of that Confederate League. The delegates met at 
the time apjxiinted. Kvery State but Rhode Island 
fas represented. George Washington was chosen 
president of the convention; and the present Consti- 
tution of the United States was then and there formed. 
There was, perhaps, no mind and no pen more ac- 
tive in framing this immortal document than the mind 
and the pen of James Madison. 

The Constitution, adopted by a vote 81 to 79, was 
to be presented to the several States for acceptance. 
But grave solicitude was felt. .Should it be rejected 
we should be left but a conglomeration of independent 
States, with but little power at home and little lespect 
abroad. Mr. Madison was selected by the conven- 
tion to draw up an address to the people of the United 
States, expounding the principles of the Constitution, 
and urging its adoption. There was great opposition 
to it at first, but it at length triumphed over all, and 
went into effect in 1789. 

Mr. Madison was elected to the House of Repre- 
sentatives in the first Congress, and soon became the 
avowed leader of the Republican party. While in 
New York attending Congress, he met Mrs. Todd, a 
young widow of remarkable [30wer of fascination, 
whom he married. She was in person and character 
queenly, and probably no lady has thus far occupied 
so prominent a position in the very peculiar society 
which has constituted our republican court as Mrs. 
Madison. 

Mr. Madison served as Secretary of State under 
Jefferson, and at the close of his administration 
was chosen President. At this time the encroach- 
ments of England had brought us to the verge of war. , 



British orders in council destroyed our commerce, and 
our flag was exposed to constant insult. Mr Madison 
was a man of peace. Scholarly in his taste, rcuung 
in his disposition, war had no charms for him. But the 
meekest spirit can be roused. It makes one's blood 
boil, even now, to think of an American ship brought 
to, upon the ocean, by the guns of an English cruiser. 
A young lieutenant steps on board, and orders the 
crew to be paraded before him. With great nonchal- 
ance he selects any number whom he may please to 
designate as British subjects; orders them down the 
ship's side into his boat; and places them on the gun- 
deck of his man-of-war, to fight, by compulsion, the 
battles of England. This right of search and im- 
pressment, no efforts of our Government could induce 
the British cabinet to relinquish. 

On the 18th of June, 1812, President Madison gave 
his approval to an act of Congress declaring war 
against Great Britain. Notwithstanding the bitter 
hostility of the Federal party to the war, the country 
in general approved; and Mr. Madison, on the 4th 
of March, 1813, was re-elected by a large majority, 
and entered upon his second term of office. This is 
not the place to describe the various adventures of 
this war on the land and on the water. Our infan'. 
navy then laid the foundations of its renown in grap- 
pling with the most formidable power which ever 
swept the seas. The contest commenced in earnest 
by the appearance of a British flett, early in February, 
1813, in Chesapeake Bay, declaring nearly the whole 
coast of the LTnited States under blockade. 

The Emperor of Russia offered his services as me 
ditator. America accepted ; England refused. A Brit- 
ish force of five thousand men landed on the banks 
of the Patuxet River, near its entrance into Chesa- 
peake Bay, and marched rapidly, by way of Bladens- 
burg, upon Washington. 

The straggling little city of Washington was thrown 
into consternation. The cannon of the brief conflict 
at Bladensburg echoed through the streets of the 
metropolis. The whole population fled from the city. 
The President, leaving Mrs. Madison in the Wfiite 
House, with her carriage drawn up at the door to 
await his speedy return, hurried to meet the officers 
in a council of war. He met our troops utterly routed, 
and he could not go back without danger of being 
captured. But few hours elapsed ere the Presidential 
Mansion, the Capitol, and all the public buildings in 
Washington were in flames. 

The war closed after two years of fighting, and on 
Feb. 13, 18 15, the treaty of peace was signed at Ghent. 

On the 4th of March, 18 17, his second term of 
office expired, and he resigned the Presidential chair 
to his friend, James Monroe. He retired to his beau- 
tiful home at Montpelier, and there passed the re- 
mainder of his days. On June 28, 1836, then at the 
age of 85 years, he fell asleep in death. Mrs. Madi- 
son died July 12, 1849. 




7 /^^-z,^ /^ ^ ^^ 



FIFTH PRESIDENT. 



35 





PEQES n]OI]ROE. 






-^ 




AMES MONROE, the fifth 
.Presidentof The United States, 
was born in Westmoreland Co., 
Va., April 28, 1758. His early 
life was passed at the place of 
nativity. His ancestors had for 
many years resided in the prov- 
ince in which he was born. When, 
It 17 years of age, in the process 
of completing his education at 
William and Mary College, the Co- 
lonial Congress assembled at Phila- 
delphia to deliberate ufMn the un- 
just and manifold oppressions of 
Great Britian, declared the separa- 
tion of the Colonies, and promul- 
gated the Declaration of Indepen- 
dence. Had he been born ten years before it is highly 
probable that he would have been one of the signers 
of that celebrated instrument. At this time he left 
school and enlisted among the patriots. 

He joined the army when everything looked hope- 
less and gloomy. The number of deserters increased 
from day to day. The invading armies came pouring 
in ; and the tories not only favored the cause of the 
mot er country, but disheartened the new recruits, 
who were sufficiently terrified at the prospect of con- 
tending with an enemy whom they had been taught 
to deem invincible. To such brave spirits as James 
Monroe, who went right onward, undismayed through 
difficulty and danger, the United States owe their 
1 jlitical emancipation. The young cadet joined the 
ranks, and es|X)used the cause of his injured country, 
with a firm determination to live o; die with her strife 



for liberty. Firmly yet sadly he shared in the mel- 
ancholy retreat from Hadeam Heights and White 
Plains, and accompanied the dispirited army as it fled 
before its foes through New Jersey. In four months 
after the Declaration of Independence, the patriots 
had been beaten in seven battles. At the batde of 
Trenton he led the vanguard, and, in the act of charg- 
ing upon the enemy he received a wound in the left 
shoulder. 

As a reward for his bravery, Mr. Monroe was pro-,' 
moted a captain of infantry ; and, having recovered, 
from his wound, he rejoined the army. He, however, 
receded from the line of promotion, by becoming an 
officer in the staff of Lord Steriing. During the cam- 
paigns of 1777 and 1778, in the actions of Brandy 
wine, Germantown and Monmouth, he continued 
aid-de-camp; but becoming desirous to regain his 
position in the army, he exerted himself to collect a 
regiment for the Virginia line. This scheme failed 
owing to the exhausted condition of the State. Upon 
this failure he entered the office of Mr. Jefferson, at 
that period Governor, and pursued, with considerable 
ardor, the study of common law. He did not, liowever, 
entirely lay aside the knapsack for the green bag; 
but on the invasions of the enemy, served as a volun 
teer, during the two years of his legal pursuits. 

In 1782, he was elected from King George county, 
a member of the Leglislature of Virginia, and by tha> 
body he was elevated to a seat in the Executive 
Council. He was thus honored with the confidence 
of his fellow citizens at 23 years of age ; and having 
at this early period displayed some of that ability 
and aptitude for legislation, which were afterwards 
employed with unremitting energy for the public good. 



36 



JAMES MONROE. 



lie was in the succeeding year chosen a member of 
the Congress of the United States. 

Deeplyas Mr. Monroefelt the imperfections of the old 
Confederacy, he was opposed to the new Constitution, 
nhinking, with many others of the Republican parly, 
that it gave too much power to the Central Government, 
and not enough to the individual States. Still he re- 
tained the esteem of his friends who were its warm 
supporters, and who, notwithstanding his opposition 
secured its adoption. In 1789, he became a member 
of the United States Senate; which office he held for 
four years. Every month the line of distinction be- 
tween the two great parties which divided the nation, 
the Federal and the Republican, was growing more 
distinct. The two prominent iaeas which now sep- 
arated them were, that the Republican party was in 
sympathy with France, and also in favor of such a 
strict construction of the Constitution as to give the 
Central Government as little power, and the State 
Governments as much power, as the Constitution would 
warrant. The Federalists sympathized with England, 
and were in favor of a liberal construction of the Con- 
stitution, which would give as much jjower to the 
Central Government as that document could possibly 
authorize. 

The leading Federalists and Republicans were 
alike noble men, consecrating all their energies to the 
good of the nation. Two more honest men or more 
pure patriots than John Adams the Federalist, and 
James Monroe the Republican, never breathed. In 
building u]) this majestic nation, which is destined 
to eclipse all Grecian and Assyrian greatness, the com- 
bination of their antagonism was needed to create the 
light equilibrium. And yet each in his day was de- 
nounced as almost » demon. 

Washington was then President. England had es- 
poused the cause of the Bourbons against the princi- 
ples of the French Revolution. All Europe was drawn 
into the conflict. We were feeble and far away. 
Washington issued a proclamation of neutrality be- 
tween these contending powers. France had helped 
us in the struggle for our liberties. All the despotisms 
of Europe were now combined to prevent the Frencli 
from escaping from a tyranny a thousand-fold worse 
than that which we had endured Col. Monroe, more 
magnanimous than prudent, was anxious that, at 
whatever hazard, we should help our old allies in 
their extremity. It was the impulse of a generous 
and noble nature. He violently opposed the Pres- 
ident's proclamation as ungrateful and wanting in 
magnanimity. 

Washington, who could appreciate such a character, 
developed his calm, serene, almost divine greatness, 
by appointing that very James Monroe, who was de- 
nouncing the policy of the Government, as the minister 
of that Government to the Republic of France. Mr. 
Monroe was welcomed by the National Convention 
in France with the most enthusiastic demonstrMions. 



Shortly after his return to this countrv, Mr. Mon- 
roe was elected Governor of Virginia, and held the 
office for three yeais. He was again sent to France tu 
co-operate with Chancellor Livingston in obtaining 
the vast territory then known as the Province of 
Louisiana, which France had but shortly before ob- 
tained from Spain. Tneir united efforts were suc- 
cessful. F"or the comparatively small sum of fifteen 
millions of dollars, the entire territory of Orleans and 
district of Louisiana were added to the United States, 
This was probably the largest transfer of real estate 
which was ever made in all the history of the world 

From France Mr. Monroe went to England to ob- 
tain from that country some recognition of oui 
rights as neutrals, and to remonstrate against those 
odious impressments of our seamen. But Eng- 
land was unrelenting. He again returned to Eng- 
land on the same mission, but could receive no 
redress. He returned to his home and was again 
chosen Governor of Virginia. This he soon resigned 
to accept the position of Secretary of State under 
Madison. While in this office war with England was 
declared, the Secretary of War resigned, and during 
these trjdng times, the duties of the War Departmen: 
were also put upon him. He was truly the armor- 
bearer of President Madison, and the most efficient 
business man in his cabinet. Upon the return of 
peace he resigned the Department of War, but con- 
tinued in the office of Secretary of State until the ex- 
piration of Mr. Madison's adminstration. At the elec- 
tion held the previous autumn Mr. Monroe himself had 
been chosen President with but little opix)sition, and 
upon March 4, 1S/7, was inaugurated. Four years 
later he was elected for a second term. 

Among the important measures of his Presidency 
were the cession of Florida to the United States; the 
Missouri Compromise, and the " Monroe doctrine.' 

This famous doctrine, since known as the " Monroe 
doctrine," was enunciated by him in 1823. At that 
time the United States had recognized the independ- 
ence of the South American states, and did not wish 
to have European powers longer attempting to sub- 
due portions of the American Continent. The doctrine 
is as follows: "That we should consider any attempt 
on the part of European powers to extend their sys- 
tem to any portion of this hemisphere as dangerous 
to our peace and safety," and "that we could no' 
view any interposition for the purpose of oppressing 
or controlling American governments or provinces in 
any other light than as a manifestation bv Eurnpenr 
powers of an unfriendly disposition toward the Unii'-ri 
States." This doctrine immediately afTected the course 
of foreign governments, and hashecome the approved 
sentiment of the United States. 

At the end of his second term Mr Monroe retired 
to his home in Virginia, where he lived until 1830, 
when he went to New York to live with his son-in- 
law. In that city he died,on the 4th of July r83i, 




J. $, Ai 



(uy>\j 



SIXTH PRESIDENT. 



3^ 







'^J 



^ 



Xi^ /^ f 




OHN QUINCY ADAMS, the 
sixth President of the United 
'States, was born in the rural 
home of his honored father, 
John Adams, in Quincy, Mass., 
on the I ith of July, 1767. His 
mother, a woman of exalted 
worth, watched over his childhood 
during the almost constant ab- 
sence of his father. When but 
eight years of age, he stood with 
his mother on an eminence, listen- 
ing to the booming of the great bat- 
tle on Bunker's Hill, and gazing on 
upon the smoke and flames billow- 
ing up from the conflagration of 
Charlestown. 

When but eleven years old he 
took a tearful adieu of his mother, 
to sail with his fatner for Europe, 
through a fleet ot hostile British cruisers. The bright, 
animated boy spent a year and a half in Paris, where 
his f.ither was associated with Franklin and Lee as 
minister plenipotentiary. His intelligence attracted 
the notice of these distinguished men, and he received 
from them flattering marks of attention. 

Mr. John Adams had scarcely returned to this 
cour.try, in 1779, ere he was again sent abroad. Again 
ioi'.n Quincy accompanied his father. At Paris he 
applied himself with great diligence, for six months, 
to .-.fiidy; then accompained his father to Holland, 
v/here he entered, first a school in .Amsterdam, then 
the University at Leyden. About a year from this 
time, in 1781, when the manly boy was but fourteen 
yea's of age, he was selected by Mr. Dana, our min- 
ister to the Russian court, as his private secretary. 

In this school of incessant labor and of enobling 
culture he spent fourteen months, and then returned 
to Holland through Sweden, Denmark, Hamburg and 
Bremen. This long journey he took alone, in the 
winter, when in his sixteenth year. Again he resumed 
nis studies, under a prJ"ate tutor, at Hague. Thence, 



in the spring of 1782, he accompanied his father tr 
Paris, traveling leisurely, and forming acquaintance 
with the most distinguished men on the Continent 
examining architectural remains, galleries of paintings 
and all renowned works of art. At Paris he again 
became associated with the most illustrious men of 
all lands in the contemplations of the loftiest temporal 
themes which can engross the human mind. After 
a short visit to England he returned to Paris, and 
consecrated all his energies to study until May, 1785, 
when he returned to America. To a brilliant young 
man of eighteen, who had seen much of the world, 
and who was familiar with the etiquette of courts, a 
residence with his father in I,ondon, under such cir- 
cumstances, must have been extremely attractive 
but with judgment very rare in one of his age, he pre- 
ferred to return to America to complete his education, 
in an American college. ■ He wished then to study 
law, that with an honorable profession, he might be 
able to obtain an independent support. 

Upon leaving Harvard College, at the age of twenty- 
he studied law for three years. In June, 1794, be- 
ing then but twenty-seven years of age, he was ap- 
pointed by Washington, resident minister at the 
Netherlands. Sailing from Boston in July, he reached 
London in October, where he was immediately admit- 
ted to the deliberations of Messrs. Jay and Pinckney, 
assisting them in negotiating a commercial treaty with 
Great Brilian. After thus spending a fortnight i. 
London, he proceeded to the Hague. 

In July, 1797, he left the Hague to go to Portugal as 
minister plenipotentiary. On his way to Portugal, 
upon arriving in London, he met with despatches 
directing him to the court of Beiiin, but requesting 
him to remain in London until he should receive his 
instructions. While waiting he was mairied to ar. 
American lady to whom he had been previously en- 
gaged, — Miss Louisa Catherine Johnson, daughtet 
of Mr. Joshua Johnson, American consul in London 
a lady endownd with that beauty and those accom. 
plishment which eminently fitted her to move in ti>t 
elevated sphere for which she w»s «U«'icett 



<td 



JOHN QUINCY ADAMS. 



He reached Berlin wiih his wite in November, 1797 ; 
where he remained until Jaly, 1799, when, havingful- 
fiUed all the purposes of his mission, he solicited his 
recall. 

Soon after his return, in 1802, he was chosen to 
the Senate of Massachusetts, from Boston, and then 
was elected Senator of the United States for six years, 
from the 4th of March, 1804. His reputation, his 
ability and his experience, placed him immediately 
among the most prominent and influential members 
of that body. Especially did he sustain the Govern- 
ment in its measures of resistance to the encroach- 
ments of England, destroying our commerce and in- 
sulting our flag. There was no man in America more 
familiar with the arrogance of the British court upon 
these points, and no one more resolved to present 
a firm resistance. 

In 1809, Madison succeeded Jefferson in the Pres- 
idential chair, and he immediately nominated John 
Qiiincy Adams minister to St. Petersburg. Resign- 
ing his professorship in Harvard College, he embarked 
at Boston, in August, 1809. 

While in Russia, Mr. Adams was an intense stu- 
dent. He devoted his attention to the language and 
history of Russia; to the Chinese trade; to the 
European system of weights, measures, and coins ; to 
the climate and astronomical observations ; while he 
Kept up a familiar acquaintance with the Greek and 
Latin classics. In all the universities of Europe, a 
more accomplished scholar could scarcely be found. 
All through life the Bible constituted an important 
part of his studies. It was his rule to read five 
chapters every day. 

On the 4th of March, 1S17, Mr. Monroe took the 
Presidential chair, and immediately apixsinted Mr. 
Adams Secretary of State. Taking leave of his num- 
erous friends in public and private life in Europe, he 
sailed in June, 1819, for the United States. On the 
i8th of August, he again crossed the threshold of his 
home in Quincy. During the eight years of Mr. Mon- 
roe's administration, Mr. Adams continued Secretary 
of State. 

Some time before ;he close of Mr. Monroe's second 
term of office, new candidates began to be presented 
for the Presidency. The friends of Mr. Adams brought 
forward his name. It was an exciting campaign. 
Party spirit was never more bitter. Two hundred and 
sixty electoral votes were cast. Andrew Jackson re- 
ceived ninety nine; John Quincy Adams, eighty-four; 
William H. Crawford, forty-one; Henry Clay, thirty- 
seven. As there was no choice by the people, the 
question went to the House of Representatives. Mr. 
Clay gave the vote of Kentucky to Mr. Adams, and 
be was elected. 

The friends of all the disappointed candidates now 
;ombined in a venomous and persistent assault upon 
Mr. Adams. There is nothing more disgraceful in 
♦he past history of our country than the abuse which 



was poured in one uninterrupted stream, ujxjn this 
high-minded, upright, patriotic man. There never was 
an administration more pure in principles, more con- 
scientiously devoted to the best interests of the coun- 
try, than that of John Quincy Adams ; and never, per- 
haps, was there an administration more unscrupu- 
lously and outrageously assailed. 

Mr. Adams was, to a very remarkable degree, ab- 
stemious and temperate in his habits; always rising 
early, and taking much exercise. When at his heme in 
Quincy, he has been known to walk, before breakfast, 
seven miles to Boston. In Washington, it was said 
that he was the first man up in the city, lighting his 
own fire and applying himself to work in his library 
often long before dawn. 

On the 4th of March, 1820, Mr. Adams retired 
from the Presidency, and was succeeded by Andrew 
Jackson. John C. Calhoun was elected Vice Presi- 
dent. The slavery question now began to assuijje 
portentous magnitude. Mr. Adams returned 10 
Quincy and to his studies, which he pursued with un- 
abated zeal. But he was not long permitted to re- 
main in retirement. In November, 1830, he Wd< 
elected representative to Congress. For seventeen 
years, until his death, he occupied the post as repre- 
sentative, towering above all his peers, ever ready to 
do brave battle' for freedom, and winning the title of 
"the old man eloquent." Upon taking his seat in 
the House, he announced that he should hold him- 
self bound to no party. Probably there never was a 
member more devoted to his duties. He was usually 
the first in his place in the morning, and the lasl to 
leave his seat in the evening. Not a measure could 
be brought forward and escape his scrutiny. '1 he 
battle which Mr. Adams fought, almost singly, against 
the proslavery party in the Government, was suljlime 
in Its moral daring and heroism. For persisting in 
presenting petitions for the abolition of slavery, he 
was threatened with indictment by the grand jury, 
with expulsion from the House, with assassination 
but no threats could intimidate him, and his final 
triumph was complete. 

It has been said of President Adams, that when his 
body was bent and his hair silvered by the lapse of 
fourscore years, yielding to the simple faith of a little 
child, he was accustomed to repeat every night, before 
he slept, the pra)er which his mother taught him in 
his infant years. 

On the 2 1 St of February, 1848, he rose on the floor 
of Congress, with a paper in his hand, to address the 
speaker. Suddenly he fell, again stricken by par.-.ly 
sis, and was caught in the arms of those around liini. 
For a time he was senseless, as he was conveyed to 
the sofa in the rotunda. With reviving conscious- 
ness, he opened his eyes, looked calmly aronr.d ai.d 
said " T/iis is the end of car fh ;"tlien after a moment's 
pause he added, "/am content" These were the 
last words of the grand "Old Man Eloquent." 




ci^%^^. ^' 



^'L^^^^^^' 



GU^^ 



''^- 



SEVENTH PRESIDENT. 







NDREW JACKSON, the 
seventh President of the 
United States, was born in 
Waxhaw settlement, N. C, 
March 15, 1767, a few days 
after his father's death. His 
parents were poor emigrants 
from Ireland, and took up 
their abode in Waxhaw set- 
tlement, where they lived in 
deepest poverty. 
Andrew, or Andy, as he was 
universally called, grew up a very 
rough, rude, turbulent boy. His 
features were coarse, his form un- 
gainly, and there was but very 
little in his character, made visible, which was at- 
tractive. 

Wlien only thirteen years old he joined the volun- 
teers of Carolina against the British invasion. In 
1781, he and his brother Robert were captured and 
imprisoned for a time at Camden. A British officer 
ordered him to brush his mud-spattered boots. " I am 
a prisoner of war, not your servant," was the reply of 
the dauntless boy. 

The brute drew his sword, and aimed a desperate 
Dlow at the head of the helpless young prisoner. 
Andrew raised his hand, and thus received two fear- 
ful gashes, — one on the hand and the other upon the 
head. The officer then turned to his brother Robert 
with the same demand. He also refused, and re- 
ceived a blow from the keen-edged sabre, which quite 
disabled him, and which probably soon after caused 
his death. They suffered much other ill-treatment, and 
were finally stricken with the small-pox. Their 
mother was successful vcv obtaining their exchange. 



and took her sick boys home. After a long illn _st 
Andrew recovered, and the death of his mother soon 
left him entirely friendless. 

Andrew supported himself in various ways, si;haa 
working at the saddler's trade, teaching school and 
clerking in a general store, until 1784, when he 
entered a law office at Salisbury, N. C. He, however, 
gave more attention to the wild amusements of the 
times than to his studies. In 1788, he was appointed 
solicitor for the western district of North Carolina, of 
which Tennessee was then a part. This involved 
many long and tedious journeys amid dangers of 
every kind, but Andrew Jackson never knew fear 
and the Indians had no desire to repeat a skirniisbi 
with the Sharp Knife. 

In 1791, Mr. Jackson was married to a woman who 
supposed herself divorced from her former husband. 
Great was the surprise of both parties, two years later, 
to find that the conditions of the divorce had just been 
definitely settled by the first husband. The marriage 
ceremony was performed a second time, but the occur, 
rence was often used by his enemies to bring Mr. 
Jackson into disfavor. 

During these years he worked hard at his profes 
sion, and frequently had one or more duels on hand, 
one of which, when he killed Dickenson, was espec- 
ially disgraceful. 

In January, 1796, the Territory of Tennessee then 
containing nearly eighty thousand inhabitants, the 
people met in convention at Knoxville to frame a con- 
stitution. Five were sent from each of the elev-i^ 
counties. Andrew Jackson was one of the delegare^; 
The new State was entitled to but one member is 
the National House of Representatives. Andrew Jarlc- 
son was chosen that member. Mounting his horse he 
rode to Philedelphia, where Congress then held its 



ANDREW JACKSDN. 



sessions, — a distance of about eight hundred miles. 

Jackson was an earnest advocate of the Demo- 
cratic party. Jefferson was his idol. He ^admired 
Bonaparte, loved France and hated England. As Mr. 
Jackson took his seat, Gen. Washington, whose 
second term of office was then e.xpiring, delivered his 
last speech to Congress. A committee drew up a 
complimentary address in reply. Andrew Jackson 
did not apjirove of the address, and was one of the 
twelve who voted against it. He was not willing to 
say that Gen. Washington's adminstration had been 
" wise, firm and patriotic." 

Mr. Jackson was elected to the United States 
Senate in 1797, but soon resigned and returned home. 
Soon after he was chosen Judge of the Supreme Court 
of his State, which position he held for six years. 

When the war of 1812 with Great Britian com- 
menced, Madison occu[)ied the Presidential chair. 
Aaron Burr sent word to the President that there was 
an unknown man in the West, Andrew Jackson, who 
would do credit to a commission if one were con- 
ferred w\yox\ him. Just at that time Gen. Jackson 
jffeied his services and those of twenty-five hundred 
volunteers. His offer was accepted, and the troops 
were assembled at Nashville. 

As the British were hourly expected to make an at- 
tack !:pon New Orleans, where Gen. Wilkinson was 
in command, he was ordered to descend the river 
with fifteen hundred troops to aid Wilkinson. The 
bxpedition reached Natchez; and after a delay of sev- 
eral weeks there, without accomplishing anything, 
the men were ordered back to their homes. But the 
energy Gen. Jackson had displayed, and his entire 
devotion to the comrfort of his soldiers, won him 
golden opinions; and he became the most popular 
man in the State. It was in this expedition that his 
toughness gave him the nickname of " Old Hickory." 

Soon after this, while attempting to horsewhip Col. 
Thomas H. Benton, for a remark that gentleman 
made about his taking a part as second in a duel, in 
which a younger brother of Benton's was engaged, 
he received two severe pistol wounds. While he was 
lingering upon a bed of suffering news came that the 
Indians, who had combined under Tecumseh from 
Florida to the Lakes, to exterminate the white set- 
tlers, were committing the most awful ravages. De- 
cisive action became necessary. Gen. Jackson, with 
his fractured bone just beginning to heal, his arm in 
a sling, and unable to mount his horse without assis- 
tance, gave his amazing energies to the raising of an 
army to rendezvous at Fayettesville, Alabama. 

The Creek Indians had established a strong fort on 
one of the bends of the Tallapoosa River, near the cen- 
ter of Alabama, about fifty miles below Fort Strother. 
With an army of two thousand men. Gen. Jackson 
traversed the pathless wilderness in a march of eleven 
days. He reached their fort, called Tohopeka or 
Horse-shoe, on the 27th of March. 1814. The bend 



of the river enclosed nearly one hunared acres of 
tangled forest and wild ravine. Across the narrow 
neck the Indians had constructed a formidable brea.st- 
work ot logs and brush. Here nine hundred warriors, 
with an ample suplyof arms were assembled. 

The fort was stormed. The fight was utterly des- 
perate. Not an Indian would accept of quarter. When 
bleeding and dying, they would fight those who en- 
deavored to spare their lives. From ten in the morn- 
ing until dark, the battle raged. The carnage was 
awful and revolting. Some threw themselves into the 
river; but the unerring bullet struck their heads as 
they swam. Nearly everyone of the nine hundred war- 
rios were killed A few probably, in the night, swam 
the river and escaped. This ended the war. The 
IX)wer of the Creeks was broken forever. This bold 
plunge into the wilderness, with itsterriffic slaughter, 
so appalled the savages, that the haggard remnants 
of the bands caine to the camp, begging for peace. 

This closing of the Creek war enabled us to con- 
centrate all our militia upon the British, who were the 
allies of the Indians No man of less resolute will 
than Gen. Jackson could have conducted this Indian 
campaign to so successful an issue Immediately he 
was appointed major-general. 

Late in .\ugust, with an army of two thousand 
men, on a rushing march, Gen. Jackson came to 
Mobile. A British fleet came from Pensacola, landed 
a force upon the beach, anchored near the little fort, 
and from both ship and shore commenced a furious 
assault The battle was long and doubtful. At length 
one of the ships was blown up and the rest retired. 

Garrisoning Mobile, where he had taken his little 
army, he moved his troops to New Orleans, 
And the battle of New Orleans which soon ensued, 
was in reality a very arduous campaign. This won 
for Gen. Jackson an imperishable name. Here his 
troops, which numbered about four thousand men, 
won a signal victory over the British army of about 
nine thousand. His loss was but thirteen, while the 
loss of the British was two thousand six hundred. 

The name of Gen. Jackson soon began to be men- 
tioned in connection with the Presidency, but, in 1824, 
he was defeated by Mr. Adams. He was, however, 
successful in the election of 182S, and was re-elected 
for a second term in 1832. In 1829, just before he 
assumed the reins of the government, he met with 
the most terrible affliction of his life in the death of 
his wife, whom he had loved with a devotion which has 
perhaps never been surpassed. From the shock of 
her death he never recovered. 

His administration was one of the most mimorabie 
in the annals of our country' ; applaude*:' oyone party, 
condemned by the other. No man had more bitter 
enemies or warmer friends. At the expiration of his 
two terms of office he retired to the Hermitage, where 
he died June 8, 1845. The last years of Mr. Jack- 
son's life were that of a devoted Christian man. 




' /' 7 ^^ U^(^^. ^^2>^^ ^^L^^^c 



EIGHTH PRESIDENT. 











ARTIN VAN BUREN, the 
eighth President of the 
United States, was born at 
Kinderhook, N. Y., Dec. 5, 
1782. He died at the same 
place, July 24, 1862. His 
body rests in the cemetery 
at Kinderhook. Above it is 
a plain granite shaft fifteen feet 
high, bearing a simple inscription 
about half way up on one face. 
The lot is unfenced, unbordered 
or unbounded by shrub or flower. 

There '* out lUtle in the life of Martin Van Buren 
of rumant'c interest. He fought no battles, engaged 
in no wild adventures. Though his life was stormy in 
[Xjlitical and intellectual conflicts, and he gained many 
signal victories, his days passed uneventful in those 
incidents which give zest to biography. His an- 
cestors, as his name indicates, were of Dutch origin, 
and were among the earliest emigrants from Holland 
to the banks of the Hudson. His father was a farmer, 
residing in the old town of Kinderhook. His mother, 
also of Dutch lineage, was a woman of superior intel- 
ligence and e-xemplary piety. 

.le was decidedly a precocious boy, developing un- 
usual activity, vigor and strength of mind. At the 
age of fourteen, he had finished his academic studies 
in his native village, and commenced the study of 
law. As he had not a collegiate education, seven 
years of study in a law-office were required of him 
<>efore he could be admitted to the bar. Inspired with 
J. lofty ambition, and conscious of his powers, he pur- 
sued his studies witli indefatigable industry. After 
si«nding six year* in an office in bis native village, 



he went to the city of New York, and prosecuted his 
studies for the seventh year. 

In 1803, Mr. Van Buren, then twenty-one years ol 
age, commenced the practice of law in his native vil- 
lage. The great conflict between the Federal and 
Republican party was then at its height. Mr. Van 
Buren was from the beginning a politician. He had, 
perhaps, imbibed that spirit while listening to the 
many discussions which had been carried on in his 
father's hotel. He was in cordial sympathy with, 
Jefferson, and earnestly and eloquently espoused the 
cause of State Riglits ; though at that time the Fed- 
eral party held the supremacy both in his towa 
and State. 

His success and increasing ruputation led him 
after six years of practice, to remove to Hudson, tli< 
county seat of his county. Here he spent seven years. 
constantly gaining strength by contending in tht, 
courts with some of the ablest men who have adorned 
the bar of his State. 

Just before leaving Kinderhook for Hudson, Mi. 
Van Buren married a lady alike distinguished for 
beauty and accomplishments. After twelve short 
years she sank into the grave, the victim of consump. 
tion, leaving her husband and four sons to weep ovei 
her loss. For twenty-five years, Mr. Van Buren was 
an earnest, successful, assiduous lawyer. The record 
of those years is barren in items of public interest. 
In t8i 2, when thirty years of age, he was chosen to 
the State Senate, and gave his strenuous support to 
Mr. Madison's adminstration. In 1815, he was ap- 
pointed Attorney-General, and the ne.xt year moved 
to Albany, the capital of the State. 

While he was acknowledged as one of the mo^^t 
piominent leaders of the Democratic party, he had 



48 



MARTIN VAN BUR EN. 



the moral courage to avow that true democracy did 
not require that " universal suffrage" which admits 
the vile, the degraded, the ignorant, to the right of 
governing the State. In true consistency with his 
democratic principles, he contended that, while the 
path leading to the privilege of voting should be open 
to every man without distinction, no one should be 
invested with that sacred prerogative, unless he were 
in some degree qualified for it by intelligence, virtue 
and some property interests in the welfare of the 
State. 

In 182 I he was elected :, member of the United 
States Seriate; and in the same year, he took a seat 
in the convention to revise the constitution of his 
native State. His course in this convention secured 
the approval of men of all parties. No one could 
doubt the singleness of his endeavors to promote the 
interests of all classes in the community. In the 
Senate of the United States, he rose at once to a 
':onspicuous position as anactive and useful legislator. 

In 1827, John Quincy Adams beirg then in the 
Presidential chair, Mr. Van Buren was re-elected to 
ihe Senate. He had been from the beginning a de- 
lermined opposer of the Administration, adopting the 
■'State Rights " view in opposition to what was 
\leemed the Federal proclivities of Mr. .'Vdanis. 

Soon after this, in 1828, he was chosen Governorof 
the State of New York, and accordingly resigned his 
■^eat in the Senate. Probably no one in the United 
States contributed so much towards ejecting John Q. 
Adams from the Presidential chair, and placing in it 
Andrew Jackson, as did Martin Van Buren. Whether 
entitled to the reputation or not, he certainly was re- 
garded throughout the United States as one of the 
\nost skillful, sagacious and cunning of politicians. 
It was supix)sed that no one knew so well as he how 
to touch the secret spiings of action; how to pull all 
ihe wires to put his machinery in motion ; and how to 
organize a political army which would, secredy and 
Fte.-'Uhily accomplish the most gigantic results. By 
these powers it is said that he outv/itted Mr. Adams, 
Mr. Clay, Mr. Webster, and secured results which 
few thought then could be accomplished. 

Wii>;n Andrew Jackson was elected President he 
appointed Mr. Van Buren Secretary of State. This 
position he resigned in 1831, and was immediately 
appoirted Minister to England, where he went the 
same autumn. The Senate, however, when it met, 
refused to ratify the nomination, and he returned 



home, apparently tintroubled ; was nominated Vice 
President in the place of Calhoun, at the re-election 
of President Jackson ; and with smiles for all and 
fiowns for none, he took his place at tlie head of that 
Senate which had refused to confirm his nomination 
as ambassador. 

His rejection by the Senate roused all the zeal of 
President Jackson in behalf of his repudiated favor- 
ite ; and this, probably more than any other cause, 
secured his elevation to the chair of the Chief Execu 
tive. On the 20th of May, 1836, Mr. Van Buren re- 
ceived the Democratic nomination to succeed Gen. 
Jackson as President of the United States. He was 
elected by a handsome majority, to the delight of the 
retiring President. " Leaving New York out of the 
canvass," says Mr. Parton, "the election of Mr. Van 
Buren to the Presidency was as much the act of Gen. 
Jackson as though the Constitution had conferred 
upon him the power to appoint a successor." 

His administration was filled with exciting events- 
The insurrection in Canada, which threatened to in - 
volve this country in war witli England, the agitation 
of the slavery question, and finally the great commer- 
cial panic which spread over the country, all were 
trials to his wisdom. The financial distress was at- 
tributed to the management of the Democratic party, 
and brought the President into such disfavor that he 
failed of reelection. 

With the exception of being nominated for tlie 
Presidency by the "Free Soil" Democrats, in 1848, 
Mr. Van Buren lived quietly upon his estate until 
his death. 

He had ever been a prudent man, of frugal habits, 
and living within his income, had now fortunately a 
competence for his declining years. His unblemished 
character, his commanding abilities, his unquestioned 
patriotism, ard the distinguished positions which he 
had occupied in the government of our country, se- 
cured to him not only the homage of his party, but 
the respect ot the whole community. It was on the 
4th of March, 1841, that Mr. Van Buren retired from 
the presidency. From his fine estate at Lindenwald 
he still exerted a powerful influence upon the politics 
of the country. From this time until his death, on 
the 24th of July, 1862, at the age of eighty years, he 
resided at Lindenwald, a gentleman of leisure, of 
culture and of wealth; enjoying in a healthy old 
age, probably far more happiness than he had before 
experienced amid the stormy scenes of hi? active lifft 




/c'.M)9cv 



NINTH PRESIDENT. 



S' 




ILLIAM HENRY HARRI- 
SON, the ninth President of 
the United States, was born 
at Berkeley, Va., Feb. 9, 1773. 
His father, Benjamin Harri- 
son, was in comparatively op- 
ulent circumstances, and was 
one of the most distinguished 
men of his day. He was an 
intimate friend of ' George 
Washington, \\ as early elected 
a member of the Continental 
Congress, and was conspicuous 
among the patriots of Virginia in 
resisting the encroachments of the 
British crown. In the celebrated 
Congress of 1775, Benjamin Har- 
rison and John Hancock were 
both candidates for the office of 
speaker. 

fMr Harrison was subsequently 
chosen Governor 01 Virginia, and 
was twice re-elected. His son, 
i William Henry, of course enjoyed 

in childhood all the advantages which wealth an4 
intellectual and cultivated society could give. Hav- 
ing received a thorough common-school education, he 
entered Hampden Sidney College, where he graduated 
with honor soon after the death of his father. He 
chen repaired to Philadelphia to study medicine under 
the instructions of Dr. Rush and the guardianship of 
lobert Morris, both of whom were, with his father, 
ligners of the Declaration of Independence. 

Jpon the outbreak of the Indian troubles, and not- 
withstanding the 'einonsUances of his friends, he 
abandoned liis medical studies and entered the army, 
/laving obtai"*"' a commission of Ensign from Presi- 



dent Washington. He was then but 19 years old 
From that time he passed gradually upward in rank 
until he became aid to General Wayne, after whose 
death he resigned his commission. He was then ap- 
pointed Secretary of the North-western Territory. This 
Territory was then entitled to but one member in 
Congress and Capt. Harrison was chosen to fill that 
position. 

In the spring of 1800 the North-western Territory 
was divided by Congress into two portions. The 
eastern portion, comprising the region now embraced 
in the State of Ohio, was called " The Territory 
north-west of the Ohio." The western portion, which 
included what is now called Indiana, Illinois and 
Wisconsin, was called the "Indiana Territory." Wil- 
liam Henry Harrison, then 27 years of age, was ap 
pointed by John Adams, Governor of the Indiana 
Territory, and immediately after, also Governor of 
Upper Louisiana. He was thus ruler over almost as 
extensive a realm as any sovereign ujwn the globe. He 
was Superintendent of Indian Affairs, and was in- 
vested with powers nearly dictatorial over the new 
rapidly increasing white population. The ability and 
fidelity with which he discharged these responsible 
duties may be inferred from the fact that he was four 
times appointed to this office — first by John Adams, 
twice by Thomas Jefferson and afterwards by Presi- 
dent Madison. 

When he began his adminstration there were but 
three white settlements in that almost boundless region, 
now crowded with cities and resounding witii all the 
tumult of wealth and traffic. One of these settlements 
was on the Ohio, nearly opposite Louisville; one ar 
Vincennes, on the Wabash, and the third a French 
settlement. 

The vast wilderness over which Gov. Harrisou 
reigned was filled with many tribes of Indians. Abou' 



WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON. 



the year 1806, two extraordinary men, twin brothers, 
of the Shawnese tribe, rose among them. One of 
these was called Tecumseh, or " The Crouching 
Panther;" the other, Olliwacheca, or "The Prophet." 
Tecumseh was not only an Indian warrior, but a man 
of great sagacity, far-reaching foresight and indomit- 
able perseverance in any enterprise m which he might 
engage. He was inspired with the highest enthusiasm, 
and had long regarded with dread and with hatred 
the encroachment of the whites upon the hunting- 
grounds of his fathers. His brother, the Prophet, was 
an orator, who could sway the feelings of the untutored 
Indian as the gale tossed the tree-tops beneath which 
tliey dwelt. 

But the Prophet was not merely an orator: he was, 
in the superstitious minds of the Indians, invested 
with the superhuman dignity of a medicine-man or a 
magician. With an enthusiasm unsurpassed by Peter 
the Hermit rousing Europe to the crusades, he went 
from tribe to tribe, assuming that he was specially sent 
by the Great Spirit. 

Gov. Harrison made many attempts to conciliate 
the Indians, but at last the war came, and at Tippe- 
canoe the Indians were routed with great slaughter. 
October 28, 18 12, his army began its march. When 
near the Prophet's town three Indians of rank made 
their appearance and inquired why Gov. Harrison was 
approaching them in so hostile an attitude. After a 
short conference, arrangements were made for a meet- 
ing the next day, to agree upon terms of peace. 

But Gov. Harrison was too well acquainted with 
the Indian character to be deceived by such protes- 
tations. Selecting a favorable spot for his night's en- 
campment, he took every precaution against surprise. 
His troops were posted in a hollow square, and slept 
upon their arms. 

The troops threw themselves upon the ground for 
rest; but every man had his accourtrements on, his 
loaded musket by his side, and his bayonet fixed. The 
wakeful Governor, between three and four o'clock in 
the morning, had risen, and was sitting in conversa- 
tion with his aids by the embers of a waning fire. It 
was a chill, cloudy morning with a drizzling rain. In 
the darkness, the Indians had crept as near as possi- 
ble, and j'lst then, with a savage yell, rushed, with all 
the desperation which superstition and passion most 
highly inflamed could give, upon the left flank of the 
little army. The savages had been amply provided 
with guns and ammunition by the English. Their 
war-whoop was accompained by a shower of bullets. 

The camp-fires were instantly extinguished, as the 
light aided the Indians in their aim. With hide- 
l)us yells, the Indian bands rushed on, not doubting a 
speedy and an entire victory. But Gen. Harrison's 
troops stood as immovable as the rocks around them 
until day dawned : they then made a simultaneous 
charge with the bayonet, and swept every thing be- 
fore them, and completely routing the foe. 



Gov. Harrison now had all his energies tasked 
to the utmost. The British descending from theCan- 
adas, were of themselves a very formidable force ; but 
with their savage allies, rushing like wolves Irom the 
forest, sear_hing out every remote farm-house, burn- 
ing, plundering, scalping, torturing, the wide frontier 
was plunged into a state of consternation which even 
the most vivid imagination can but faintly conceive. 
The war-whoop was resounding everywhere in the 
forest. The horizon was illuminated with the conflagra- 
tion of the cabins of the settlers. Gen Hull liad made 
the ignominious surrender of his forces at Detroit. 
Under these despairing circumstances, Gov. Harrison 
was appointed by President Madison commander-in- 
chief of the North-western army, with orders to retake 
Detroit, and to protect the frontiers. 

It would be difficult to place a man in a situation 
demanding more energy, sagacity and courage; but 
General Harrison was found equal to the position, 
and nobly and triumphantly did he meet all the re- 
sponsibilities. 

He won the love of his soldiers by always sharing 
with them their fatigue. His whole baggage, while 
pursuing the foe up the Thames, was carried in a 
valise; and his bedding consisted of a single blanket 
lashed over his saddle. Thirty-five British officers, 
his prisoners of war, supped with him after the battle. 
The only fare he could give them was beef roasted 
before the fire, without bread or salt. 

In 1816, Gen. Harrison was chosen a member of 
the National House of Representatives, to represent 
the District of Ohio. In Congress he proved an 
active member; and whenever he spoke, it was with 
force of reason and power of eloquence, which arrested 
the attention of all the members. 

In i8ig, Harrison was elected to the .Senate ol 
Ohio; and in 1824, as one of the presidential electors 
of that State, he gave his vote for Henry Clay. The 
same year he was chosen to the United States Senate. 

In 1836, the friends of Gen. Harrison brought him 
forward as a candidate for the Presidency against 
Van Buren, but he was defeated. At the close of 
Mr. Van Buren's term, he was re-nominated by his 
party, and Mr. Harrison was unanimously nominated 
by the Whigs, with John Tyler for the Vice President y. 
Tlie contest was very animated. Gen Jackson gave 
all his influence to prevent Harrison's election ; but 
his triumph was signal. 

The cabinet which he formed, with Daniel Webster 
at its head as Secretary of State, was one of the must 
brilliant with which any President had ever been 
surrounded. Never were the prospects of an admin- 
istration more flattering, or the hopes of the country 
more sanguine. In the midst of these bright and 
joyous prospects. Gen. Harrison was seized by a 
pleurisy-fever and after a few days of violent sick- 
ness, died on the 4th of April ; just one month after 
his inauguration as President of the Upited States. 




^ 



Wcr/^TyTi^ Ml/ (±.- 7 



TENTH PliESIDENT. 



55 





OHN TYLER, the tenth 
I residentof the United States. 
He was born in Charles-city 
Co., Va., March 29, 1790. He 
was the favored child of af- 
fluence and high social po- 
sition. At the early age of 
twelve, John entered William 
xnd Mary College and grad- 
u ited with much honor when 
but seventeen years old. After 
i^raduating, he devoted him- 
self with great assiduity to the 
study of law, partly with his 
father and partly with Edmund 
Randolph, one of the most distin- 
guished lawyers of Virginia. 

At nineteen years of age, ne 
commenced the practice of law. 
His success was rapid and aston- 
ishing. It is said that three 
months had not elapsed ere there 
was scarcely a case on the dock- 
et of the court in which he was 
i»ot retained. When but twenty-one years of age, he 
was almost unanimously elected to a seat in the State 
Legislature. He connected himself with the Demo- 
cratic party, and warmly advocated the measures of 
Jefferson and Madison. For five successive years he 
Was elected to the Legislature, receiving nearly the 
unanimous vote or his county. 

When but twenty-six years of age, he was elected 
a member of Congress. Here he acted earnestly and 
ably wi'ih the Democratic party, opposing a national 
bank, inter" ^1 1 improvements by the General <^v5rn- 



ment, a protective tariff, and advocating a strict con- 
struction of the Constitution, and the most careful 
vigilance over State rights. His labors in Congress 
were so arduous that before the close of his second 
term he found it necessary to resign and retire to his 
estate in Charles-city Co., to recruit his health. He, 
however, soon after consented to take his seat in the 
State Legislature, where his influence was powerful 
in promoting public works of great utility. With a 
reputation thus canstantly increasing, he was chosen 
by a very large majority of votes. Governor of his 
native State. His administration was signally a suc- 
cessful one. His popularity secured his re-election. 

John Randolph, a brilliant, erratic, half-crazed 
man, then represented Virginia in the Senate of the 
United States. A portion of the Democratic party 
was displeased with Mr. Randolph's wayward course, 
and brought forward John Tyler as his opponent, 
considering him the only man in Virginia of sufficient 
popularity to succeed against the renowned orator of 
Roanoke. Mr. Tyler was the victor. 

In accordance with his professions, upon taking his 
seat in the Senate, he joined the ranks of the opposi- 
tion. He opposed the tariff; he spoke against and 
voted against the bank as unconstitutional ; he stren- 
uously opposed all restrictions upon slavery, resist- 
ing all projects of internal improvements by the Gen- 
eral Government, and avowed his sympathy with Mr. 
Calhoun's view of nullification ; he declared that Gen. 
Jackson, by his opposition to the nullifiers, had 
abandoned the principles of the Democratic party. 
Such was Mr. Tyler's record in Congress, — a record 
in perfect accordance with the principles which be 
had always avowed. 

Returning to Virginia, he resumed the practice of 
his profession. Ther? was a rplit in the Den^.ocratit 



JOHN TYLER. 



.».irty. His friends still regarded him as a true Jef- 
i'ersoiiian, gave him a dinner, and showered compli- 
ments upon him. He had now attained the age of 
forty-six. His career had been very brilliant. In con- 
seipience of his devotion to public business, his pri- 
vate affairs had fallen into some disorder; audit vifas 
not without satisfaction that he resumed the practice 
of law, and devoted himself to the culture of his plan- 
tation. Soon after this he removed to Williamsburg, 
for the better education of his children ; and he again 
look his seat in the Legislature of Virginia. 

By tlie Southern Whigs, he was sent to the national 
convention at Harrisburg to nominate a President in 
'839. The maiority of votes were given to Gen. Har- 
rison, a genuine Whig, much to the disappointment of 
tKe South, who wished for Henry Clay. To concili- 
ate the Southern Whigs and to secure their vote, the 
convention then nominated John Tyler for Vice Pres- 
ident. It was well known that he was not in sympa- 
thy with the Whig party in the Noith: but the Vice 
President has but very little power in the Govern- 
ment, his main and almost only duty being to pre- 
side over the meetings of the Senate. Thus it hap- 
pened that a Whig President, and, in reality, a 
Democratic Vice President were chosen. 

In 1841, Mr. Tyler was inaugurated Vice Presi- 
Jcnt of the United States. In one short month from 
that time, President Harrison died, and Mr. Tyler 
thus -;und himself, to his own surprise and that of 
the whole Nation, an occupant of the Presidential 
chair. This was a new test of the stability of our 
institutions, as it was the first time in the history of our 
country that such an event had occured. Mr. Tyler 
was at home in Williamsburg when he received the 
une-xpected tidings of the death of President Harri- 
son. He hastened to Washington, and on the 6th of 
A^ril vv'as inaugurated to the high and responsible 
otfice. He was placed in a position of exceeding 
delicacy and difficulty. All his long life he had been 
opposed to the main principles of the party which had 
brought him into power. He had ever been a con- 
sistent, honc^.t man, with an unblemished record. 
Gen. Harrison had selected a Whig cabinet. Should 
he retain them, and thus surround himself with coun- 
sellors whose views were antagonistic to his own? or, 
on the other hand, should he turn against the party 
which had elected him and select a cabinet in har- 
mony with himself, and which would oppose all those 
views which the Whigs deemed essential to the pub- 
lic welfare? This was his fearful dilemma. He in- 
vited the cabinet which President Harjison had 
selected to retain their seats. He reccomm-'nded a 
day of fasting and prayer, that God would guide and 
bless us. 

The Whigs carried through Congress a bill for the 
incorporation of a fiscal bank of the United States. 
The President, after ten days' delay, returned it wiih 
his veto. Hf «uegested, however, that he would 



approve of a bill drawn up upon such a plan as he 
proposed. Such a bill was accordingly prepared, and 
privately submitted to him. He gave it his approval 
It was passed without alteration, and he sent it back 
with his veto. Here commenced the open rupture. 
It is said that Mr. Tyler was provoked to this meas- 
ure by a published letter fiom the Hon. John M. 
Bolts, a distinguished Virginia Whig, who severely 
touched the pride of the President. 

The opposition now exultingly received the Presi- 
dent into their arms. The party which elected him 
denounced him bitterly. All the members of his 
cabinet, excepting Mr. Webster, resigned. The Whigs 
of Congress, both the Senate and the House, held a 
meeting and issued an address to the people of the 
United States, proclaiming that all political alliance 
between the \Vhigs and President Tyler were at 
an end. 

Still the President attempted to conciliate. He 
appointed a new cabinet of distinguished Whigs and 
Conservatives, carefully leaving out all strong party 
men. Mr. Webster soon found it necessary to resign, 
forced out by the pressure of his Whig friends. Thus 
the four years of Mr. Tyler's unfortunate administra- 
tion passed sadly away. No one was satisfied. The 
land was filled with murmurs and vituperation. 'W'higs 
and Democrats alike assailed him. More and more, 
however, he brought himself into sympathy with his 
old friends, the Democrats, until at the close of his term, 
he gave his whole influence to the support of Mr. 
Polk, the Democratic candidate for his successor. 

On the 4th of March, 1845, he retired from the 
harassments of office, tothe regret of neitherparty, aid 
probably to liis own unspeakable lelief. His first wife, 
Miss Letitia Christian, died in Washington, in 1842; 
and in June, 1844, President Tylei was again married, 
at New York, to Miss Julia Gardiner, a young lady of 
many jjersonal and intellectual accomplishments. 

The remainder of his days Mr. Tyler passed mainly 
in retirement at his beautiful home, — Sherwood For- 
est, Charles-city Co., Va. A polished gentleman in 
his manners, richly furnished with information from 
books and experience in the world, and possessing 
brilliant powers of conversation, his family circle was 
the scene of unnsual attractions. Witli sufficient 
moans for the exercise of a generous hospitality, he 
might have enjoyed a serene old age with the few 
friends who gathered around him, were it not for the 
storms of civil war which his own principles and 
jx)licy had helped to introduce. 

When the great Rebellion rose, which the State- 
rights and nullifying doctrines of Mr. John C. CaU 
houn had inaugurated. President Tyler renounced his 
allegiance to the United States, and joined the Confed- 
erates. He was chosen a memlier of their Congress; 
and while engaged in active measures to destroy, b" 
force of arms, the Government over which he had 
once presided, he was taken sick and soon died. 



ELE VENTH 'PHESTDENi: 



50 




JAMES 





AMES K. POLK, the eleventh 

^aPresident of the United States, 

WIS born in Mecklenburg Co., 

N C.,Nov. 2, 1795. His par- 

^,. ents were Samuel and Jane 

(knox) Polk, the former a son 

of Col. Thomas Polk, who located 

at the above place, as one of the 

first pioneers, in 1735. 

Ill the year i3o6, with his wife 
and children, and soon after fol- 
lowed by most of the members of 
the Polk famly, Samuel Polk emi- 
grated some two or three hundred 
miles farther west, to the rich valley 
of the Duck River. Here in the 
midst of the wilderness, in a region 
which was subsequently called Mau- 
ry Co., they reared their log huts, 
and established their homes. In the 
hard toil of a new farm in the wil- 
derness, James K. Polk spent the 
early years of his childhood and 
youth. His father, adding the pur- 
suit cf a surveyor to thatof a farmer, 
gradually increased in wealth until 
he became one of the leading men of the region. His 
mother was a superior woman, of strong common 
sense and earnest piety. 

Very early in life, James developed a taste for 
reading and expressed the strongest desire to obtain 
a liberal education. His mother's training had made 
him methodical in his habits, had taught him punct- 
uality and industry, and had inspired him with lofty 
principles of morality. His health was frail ; and his 
father, fearing that he might not b(^ able to endure a 



sedentary life, got a situation for him behind the 
counter, hoping to fit him for commercial pursuits. 

This was to James a bitter disappointment. He 
had no taste for these duties, and his daily tasks 
were irksome in the extreme. He remained in this 
uncongenial occupation but a few weeks, when at his 
earnest solicitation his father removed him, and made 
arrangements for him to prosecute his studies. Soon 
after he sent him to Murfreesboro Academy. \Vith 
ardor which could scarcely be surpassed, he pressed 
forward in his studies, and in less than two and a half 
years, in the autumn of 1815, entered the sophomore 
class in the University of North Carolina, at Chapel! 
Hill. Here he was one of the most exemplary of 
scholars, punctual in every exercise, never allowing 
himself to be absent from a recitation or a religious 
service. 

He graduated in 18 18, with the highest honors, be« 
ing deemed the best scholar of his class, both in 
mathematics and the classics. He was then twenty- 
three years of age. Mr. Polk's health was at this 
time much impaired by the assiduity with which he 
had prosecuted his studies. After a short season of 
relaxation he went to Nashville, and entered the 
office of Felix Grundy, to study law. Here Mr. Polk 
renewed his acquaintance with Andrew Jackson, who 
resided on his plantation, the Hermitage, but a few 
miles from Nashville. They had probably been 
slightly acquainted before. 

Mr. Polk's father was a Jeffersonian Republican, 
and James K. Polk ever adhered to the same politi- 
cal faith. He was a popular public speaker, and was 
constantly called upon to address the meetings of his 
party friends. His skill as a speaker was such that 
he was popularly called the Napoleon of the stump. 
He was a man of unblemished morals, genial and 



JAMES K. POLK. 



courterus in his bearing, and with that sympathetic 
natui-e in the jo) s and griefs of others which ever gave 
him troops of friends. In 1823, Mr. Polk was elected 
to the Legislature of Tennessee. Here he gave his 
strong influence towards the election of his friend, 
(Mr. Jackson, to the Presidency of the United States. 

In January, 1824, Mr. Polk married Miss Sarah 
Childress, of Rutherford Co., Tenn. His bride was 
'altogether worthy of him, — a lady of beauty and cul- 
ture. In the fall of 1825, Mr. Polk was chosen a 
member of Congress. The satisfaction which he gave 
to his constituents may be inferred from the fact, that 
for fourteen successive years, until 1839, he was con- 
tinued in that office. He then voluntarily withdrew, 
only that he might accept the Gubernatorial chair 
of Tennessee. In Congress he was a laborious 
member, a frequent and a popular speaker. He was 
always in his seat, always courteous ; and whenever 
he spoke it was always to the point, and without any 
ambitious rhetorical display. 

During five sessions of Congress, Mr. Polk was 
Speaker of the House, Strong passions were roused, 
and stormy scenes were witnessed ; but Mr. Polk per- 
/ormed his arduous duties to a very general satisfac- 
tion, and a unanimous vote of thanks to him was 
|)assed by the House as he withdrew on the 4th of 
March, 1839. 

In accordance with Southern usage, Mr. Polk, as a 
candidate for Governor, canvassed the State. He was 
elected by a large majority, and on the 1 4th of Octo- 
ber, 1839, took the oath of office at Nashville. In 1841, 
his term of office expired, and he was again the can- 
didate of the Democratic party, but was defeated. 

On the 4th of March, 1845, Mr. Polk was inaugur- 
ated President of the United States. The verdict of 
the country in favor of the annexation of Texas, exerted 
its influence upon Congress ; and the last act of the 
administration of President Tyler was to affix his sig- 
nature to a joint resolution of Congress, passed on the 
3d of March, approving of the annexation of Texas to 
the American Union. As Mexico still claimed Texas 
as one of her provinces, the Mexican minister, 
Almonte, immediately demanded his passports and 
(left the country, declaring the act of the annexation 
to be an act hostile to Mexico. 

In his first message. President Polk urged that 
Texas should immediately, by act of Congress, be re- 
ceived into the Union on the same footing with the 
Other States. In the meantime, Gen. Taylor was sent 



with an army into Texas to hold the country. He was 
sent first to Nueces, which the Mexicans said was the 
western boundary of Texas. Then he was sent nearly 
two hundred miles further west, to the Rio Grande, 
where he erected batteries which commanded the 
Mexican city of Matamoras, which was situated on 
the western banks. 

The anticipated collision soon took place, and wai 
was declared against Mexico by President Polk. The 
war was pushed forward by Mr. Polk's administration 
with great vigor. Gen. Taylor, whose army was first 
called one of "observation," then of "occupation," 
then of " invasion, "was sent forward to Monterey. The 
feeble Mexicans, in every encounter, were hopelessly 
ana awfully slaughtered. The day of judgement 
alone can reveal the misery which this war caused. 
It v/as by the ingenuity of Mr. Polk's administration 
that the war was brought on. 

'To the victors belong the spoils." Mexico was 
prostrate before us. Her capital was in our hands. 
We now consented to peace upon the condition that 
Mexico should surrender to us, in addition to Texas, 
all of New Mexico, and all of Upper and Lower Cal- 
ifornia. This new demand embraced, exclusive of 
Texas, eight hundred thousand square miles. Tliis 
was an extent of territory equal to nine States of the 
size of New York. Thus slavery was securing eighteen 
majestic States to be added to the Union. There were 
some Americans who thought it all right : there were 
others who thought it all wrong. In the prosecution 
of this war, we expended twenty thousand lives and 
more than a hundred million of dollars. Of this 
money fifteen millions were paid to Mexico. 

On the 3d of March, 1849, Mr. Polk retired from 
office, having served one term. The next day was 
Sunday. On the 5th, Gen. Taylor was inaugurated 
as his successor. Mr. Polk rode to the Capitol in the 
same carriage with Gen. Taylor; and the same even- 
ing, with Mrs. Polk, he commenced his return to 
Tennessee. He was then but fifty-four years of age. 
He had ever been strictly temperate in all his habits, 
and his health was good. With an ample fortune, 
a choice library, a cultivated mind, and domestic ties 
of the dearest nature, it seemed as though long years 
of tranquility and happiness were before him. But the 
cholera — that fearful scourge — was then sweeping up 
the Valley of the Mississippi. This he contracted, 
and died on the 15th of June, 1849, in the fiftv-fourth 
year of his age, greatly mourned by his countrymen. 




>/[<^ ^ y y^^^c^ i^^- 



~7g-^>^.^ ^ ^ y^-?(^ 



TWELFTH PRESIDENT. 



03 






ACHARY TAYLOR, twelfth 
President of the United States, 
WIS born on the 24th of Nov., 
17S4, in Orange Co., Va. His 
« fither. Colonel Taylor, was 
$- ^^y a ^ irginian of note, and a dis- 
■f ^ tinginshcd patriot and soldier of 
the Revolution. When Zachary 
WIS m infant, his father with his 
wife and two children, emigrated 
to Kentucky, where he settled in 
the pathless wilderness, a few 
from Louisville. In this front- 
ier home, away from civilization and 
all its refinements, young Zachary 
could enjoy but few social and educational advan- 
tages. When six years of age he attended a common 
school, and was then regarded as a bright, active boy, 
rather remarkable for bluntness and decision of char- 
acter He was strong, feailess and self-reliant, and 
■manifested a strong desire to enter the army to fight 
the Lidians who were ravaging the frontiers. There 
is little to be recorded of the uneventful years of his 
childhood on his father's large but lonely plantation. 
In 1808, his father succeeded in obtaining for him 
the commission of lieutenant in the United States 
army ; and he joined the troops which were stationed 
at New Orleans under Gen. Wilkinson. Soon after 
this he married Miss Margaret Smith, a young lady 
from one of the first families of Maryland. 

Immediately after the declaration of war with Eng- 
land, in 1 8 12, Capt. Taylor (for he had then been 
promoted to that rank) was put in command of Fort 
Harrison, on the Wabash, about fifty miles above 
Vincennes. This fort had been built in the wilder- 
ness by Gen. Harrison, on his march to Tippecanoe. 
It was one of the first points of attack by the Indians, 
led by Tecumseh. Its garrison consisted of a broken 



company of infantry numbering fifty men, many of 
whom were sick. 

Early in the autumn of 1812, the Indians, stealthily, 
and in large numbers, moved upon the fort. Their 
approach was first indicated by the murder of two 
soldiers just outside of the stockade. Capt. Taylor 
made every possible preparation to meet the anrici- 
pated assault. On the ^th of September, a band of 
forty painted and plumed savages came to the fort, 
waving a white flag, and informed Capt. Taylor that 
in the morning their chief would come to have a talk 
with him. It was evident that their object was merely 
to ascertain the state of things at the fort, and Capt. 
Taylor, well versed in the wiles of the savages, kept 
them at a distance. 

The sun went down; the savages disappeared, the 
garrison slept upon their arms. One hour before 
midnight the war-whoop burst from a thousand lips 
in the forest around, followed by the discharge of 
musketry, and the rush of the foe. Every man, sick 
and well, sprang to his post. Every man knew that 
defeat was not merely death, but in the case of cap- 
ture, death by the most agonizing and prolonged tor- 
ture. No pen can describe, no immagination can 
conceive the scenes which ensued. The savages suc- 
ceeded in setting fire to one of the block-houses- 
Until six o'clock in the morning, this awful conflict 
continued. The savages then, baffled at every ix)int, 
and gnashing their teeth with rage, retired. Capt. 
Taylor, for this gallant defence, was promoted to the 
rank of major by brevet. 

Until the close of the war, MajorTaylor was placed 
in such situarions that he saw but little more of active 
service. He was sent far away into the depths of the 
wilderness, to Fort Crawford, on Fox River, which 
empties into Green Bay. Here there was but little 
to be done but to wear away the tedious hours as one 
best could. There were no books, no society, no in- 



64 



ZACHARY TAYLOR. 



telleclual stimulus. Thus with him the uneventful 
years rolled on Gradually he rose to the rank of 
colonel. In the Black Hawk war, which resulted in 
the capture of that renowned chieftain, Col Taylor 
took a subordinate but a brave and efficient part. 

For twenty-four years Col. Taylor was engaged in 
the defence of the frontiers, in scenes so remote, and in 
♦■mployments so obscure, that his name was unknown 
iljeyond the limits of his own immediate acquaintance. 
,In the year 1836, he was sent to Florida to compel 
the Seminole Indians to vacate that region and re- 
tire beyond the Mississippi, as their chiefs by treaty, 
iiac'' promised they should do. The services rendered 
liC-e secured for Col. Taylor the high appreciation of 
the Government; and as a reward, he was elevated 
»c he rank of brigadier-general by brevet ; and soon 
ifter, in May, 1838, was appointed to the chief com- 
aiand of the United States troops in Florida. 

After two years of such wearisome employment 
iinidst the everglades of the peninsula. Gen. Taylor 
:)biained, at his own request, a change of command, 
^nd was stationed over the Department of the South- 
■Acst. This field embraced Louisiana, Mississippi, 
Alabama and Georgia. Establishing his headquarters 
}il Fort Jessup, in Louisiana, he removed his family 
to a plantation which he purchased, near Baton Rogue. 
Hi;re he remained for five years, buried, as it were, 
fu'.m the world, but faithfully discharging every duty 
ji!. loosed ui^on him. 

In 1846, (ien. Taylor was sent to guard the land 
between the Nueces and Rio Grande, the latter river 
fbeing the boundary of Texas, which was then claimed 
by the United States. Soon the war with Mexico 
wt,; brought on, and at Palo Alto and Resaca de la 
Palma, Gen. Taylor won brilliant victories over the 
^[l:xicans. The rank of major-general by brevet 
■was then conferred upon Gen. Taylor, and his name 
Was received with enthusiasm almost everywhere in 
tliL' Nation. Then came the battles of Monterey and 
E uena Vista in which he won signal victories over 
)(. ices much larger than he commanded. 

His careless habits of dress and his unaffected 
simplicity, secured for Gen. Taylor among his troops, 
:\. e sobriquet of "Old Rough and Ready.' 

Tne tidings of the brilliant victory of Buena Vista 
jpread the wildest enthusiasm over the country. The 
n.- line of Gen. Taylor was on every one's lips. The 
H hig party decided to take advantage of this wonder- 
fu/ popularity in bringing forward the unpolished, un- 

•■ :Ted, honest soldier as their candidate for the 
I'lesidency. Gen. Taylor was astonished at the an- 
ncuncement, and for a time would not listen to it; de- 
claring that he was not at all qualified for such an 
flftice. So little interest had he taken in politics that, 
foi forty years, he had not cast a vote. It was not 
without chagrin that several distinguished statesmen 
wlio had been long years in the public service found 
fil.:ar claims set aside in behalf of one wliose name 



had never been heard of, save in connection with Palo 
Alto, Resaca de la Palma, Monterey and Buena 
Vista. It is said that Daniel Webster, in his haste re- 
marked, " It is a nomination not fit to be made." 

Gen. Taylor was not an eloquent speaker nor a fine 
writer His friends took possession of him, and pre- 
pared such few communications as it was needful 
should be presented to the public. The popularity of 
the successful warrior swept the land. He was tri- 
umphantly elected over two opposing candidates, — 
Gen. Cass and Ex-President Martin Van Buren. 
Though he selected an excellent cabinet, che good 
old man found himself in a very uncongenial jMsition, 
and was, at times, sorely perplexed and harassed. 
His mental sufferings were very severe, and probably 
tended to hasten his death. The pro-slavery party 
was pushing its claims with tireless energy , expedi- 
tions were fitting out to capture Cuba ; California was 
pleading for admission to the Union, while slavery 
stood at the door to bar her out. Gen. Taylor found 
the political conflicts in Washington to be far more 
trying to the nerves than battles with Mexicans or 
Indians. 

In the midst of all these troubles, Gen. Taylor, 
after he had occupied the Presidential chair but little 
over a year, took cold, and after a brief sickness of 
but little over five days, died on the Qlh of July, 1850. 
His last woids were, " I am not afraid to die. I am 
ready. I have endeavored to do my duty." He died 
universally respected and beloved. An honest, un- 
pretending man, he had been steadily growing in the 
affections of the people; and the Nation bitterly la- 
mented his death. 

Gen. Scott, who was thoroughly acquainted with 
Gen. Taylor, gave the following graphic and truthful 
description of his character: — " With a good store of 
common sense, Gen. Taylor's mind had not been en- 
larged and refreshed by reading, or much converse 
with the world. Rigidity of ideas was the conse- 
quence. The frontiers and small military posts had 
been his home. Hence he was quite ignorant for his 
rank, and quite bigoted in his ignorance. His sim- 
plicity was child-like, and with innumerable preju- 
dices, amusing and incorrigible, well suited to the 
tender age. Thus, if a man, however respectable, 
chanced to wear a coat of an unusual color, or his hat 
a little on one side of his head; or an officer to leave 
a corner of his handkerchief dangling from an out- 
side pocket, — in any such case, this critic held the 
offender to be a coxcomb (perhaps something worse), 
whom he would not, to use his oft repeated phrase, 
'touch with a pair of tongs.' 

"Any allusion to literature beyond good old Dil- 
worth's spelling-book, on the part of one wearing a 
sword, was evidence, with the same judge, of utter 
unfitness for heavy marchings and combats. Inshor^ 
few men have ever had a more comfortany. ''>>^'^i. 
saving contempt for learning of every kind.' 




t-^-/:i^ t/ ^ f^ C^!^^i^-v^<ru) 



THIRTEENTH PRESIDENT. 





^^ 



I ^'MILLflRn FILLfflnHE.'^ 



-^^ 



IIS 



m 



®^- 



4^ 




ILLARD FILLMORE, thir- 
^ teentli President of the United 
States, was born at Summer 
Hill, Cayuga Co., N. Y ., on 
the ylh of January, 1800. His 
^*=^ father was a farmer, and ow- 
ing to misfortune, in humble cir- 
cumstances. Of his mother, the 
daughter of Dr. Abiathar Millard, 
of Pittsfield, Mass., it has been 
said that she possessed an intellect 
of very high order, united with much 
personal loveliness, sweetness of dis- 
position, graceful manners and ex- 
quisite sensibilities. She died in 
1831 ; having lived to see her son a 
' young man of distinguished prom- 
li-e, though she was not permitted to witness the high 
dignity which he finally attained. 

In consequence of the secluded home and limited 
means of his father, Millard enjoyed but slender ad- 
vantages for education in his early years. The com- 
mon schools, which he occasionally attended were 
very imperfect institutions; and books were scarce 
end expensive. There was nothing then in his char- 
acter to indicate the brilliant career upon which he 
was about to enter. He was a plain fanner's boy ; 
intelligent, good-looking, kind-hearted. The sacred 
influences of home had taught him to revere the Bible, 
and had laid the foundations of an upright character. 
When fourteen years of age, Ms father sent him 
some hundred miles from home, to the then wilds of 
Livingston County, to learn the trade of a clothier. 
Neai the mill there was a small villiage, where some 



enterprising man had commenced the collection of a 
village library'. This proved an inestimable blessing 
to young Fillmore. His evenings were spent in read- 
ing. Soon every leisure moment was occupied with 
books. His thirst fur knowledge became insatiate 
and the selections which he made were continually 
more elevating and instructive. He read history, 
biography, oratory, and thus gradually there was en- 
kindled in his heart a desire to be something more 
than a mere worker with his hands; and he was be- 
coming, almost unknown to himself, a well-informed, 
educated man. 

The yoimg clothier had now attained the age ol 
nineteen years, and was of fine personal appearance 
and of gentlemanly demeanor. It so happened tha* 
there was a gentleman in the neighborhood of ample 
pecuniary means and of benevolence, — Judge Walter 
Wood, — who was struck with the prepossessing ap- 
pearance of young Fillmore. He made his acquaint- 
ance, and was so much impressed with his ability and 
attainments that he advised him to abandon his 
trade and devote himself to the study of the law. The 
young man replied, that he had no means of his own, 
no friends to help him and that his previous educa- 
tion had been very imperfect. But Judge Wood had 
so much confidence in him that he kindly offered to 
take him into his own office, and to loan him such 
money as he needed. Most gratefully the generous 
offer was accepted. 

There is in many minds a strange delusion abouti 
a collegiate education. A young man is supposed to 
be liberally educated if he has graduated at some col- 
lege. But many a boy loiters through university hul'=. 
<ind then enters a law oflSce, who is by no means as 



r,i 



MILLARD PILLMORE. 



well prepared to prosecute his legal studies as was 
Millard Fillmore wlien he graduated at the clothing- 
mill at the end of four years of manual labor, during 
which every leisure moment had been devoted to in- 
tense mental culture. 

In 1823, when twenty-three years of age, he v/as 
admitted to the Court of Common Pleas. He then 
went to the village of Aurora, and commenced the 
practice of law. In this secluded, peaceful region, 
his practice of course was limited, and there was no 
opportunity for a sudden rise in fortune or in fame. 
Here, in the year 1826, he married a lady of great 
moral worth, and one capable of adorning any station 
she might be called to fill, — Miss Abigail Powers. 

His elevation of character, his untiring industry, 
his legal acquirements, and his skill as an advocate, 
gradually attracted attention ; and he was invited to 
enter into partnership under highly advantageous 
circumstances, with an elder member of the bar in 
Buffalo. Just before removing to Buffalo, in 1829, 
he took his seat in the House of Assembly, of the 
State of New York, as a representative from Erie 
County. Though he had never taken a very active 
part in politics, his vote and his sympathies were with 
the Whig party. The State was then Democratic, 
and he found himself in a helpless minority in the 
Legislature , still the testimony comes from all parlies, 
that his courtesy, ability and integrity, won, to a very 
unusual degr( e the respect of his associates. 

In the autumn of 1832, he was elected to a seat in 
the United States Congress He entered that troubled 
arena in some of the most tumultuous hours of our 
national history. The great conflict respecting the 
national bank and the removal of the deposits, was 
then raging. 

His term of two years closed ; and he returned to 
his profession, which he pursued with increasing rep- 
utation and success. After a lapse of two years 
he again became a candidate for Congress ; was re- 
elected, and took his seat in 1837. His past expe- 
rience as a representative gave him st»ength and 
confidence. The first term of service in Congress to 
nny man can be but little more than an introduction. 
He was now prepared for active duty. All his ener- 
gies were brought to bear upon the public good. Every 
measure received his impress. 

Mr. Fillmore was now a man of wide repute, and 
his popularity filled the State, and in the year 1847, 
he was elected Comptroller of the State. 



Mr. Fillmore had attained the age of forty-seven 
years. His labors at the bar, in the Legislature, in 
Congress and as Comptroller, had given him very con- 
siderable fame. The Whigs were casting about to 
find suitable candidates for President and Vice-Presi- 
dent at the approaching election. Far away, on the 
waters of the Rio Grande, there was a rough old 
soldier, who had fought one or two successful battles 
with the Mexicans, which had caused his name to be 
proclaimed in tiumpet-tones all over the land. But 
it was necessary to associate with him on the same 
ticket some man of reputation as a statesman. 

Under the influence of these considerations, the 
namesofZachary Taylor and Millard Fillmore became 
the rallying-cry of the Whigs, as their candidates for 
President and Vice-Peesident. The Whig ticket was 
signally triumphant. On the 4th of March, 1849, 
Gen. Taylor was inaugurated President, and Millard 
Fillmore Vice-President, of the United States. 

On the 9th of July, 1850, President Taylor, but 
about one year and four months after his inaugura 
tion, was suddenly taken sick and died. By the Con- 
stitution, Vice-President Fillmore thus became Presi- 
dent. He appointed a very able cabinet, of which 
the illustrious Daniel Webster was Secretary of State. 

Mr. Fillniore had very serious difficulties to contend 
with, since the opposition had a majority in both 
Houses. He did everything in his power to conciliate 
the .South ; but the pro-slavery party in the South felt 
the inadequacy of all measuresof transient conciliation. 
The population of the free States was so rapidly in- 
creasing over that of the slave States that it was in- 
evitable that the power of the Government should 
soon pass into the hands of the free States. The 
famous compromise measures were adopted under Mr. 
Fillnicre's adminstration, and the Japan Ex[iedition 
was sent out. On the 4th of March, 1853, Mr. Fill- 
more, having served one term, retired. 

In 1856, Mr. Fillmore was nominated for the Pres- 
idency by the " Know Nothing " jiarty, but was beaten 
by Mr. Buchanan. After that Mr. Fillmore lived in 
retirement. During the terrible conflict of civil war, 
he was mostly silent. It was generally supposed that 
his sympathies were rather with those who were en- 
deavoring to overthrow our institutions. President 
Fillmore kept aloof from the conflict, without any 
cordial words of cheer to the one party or the other. 
He was thus forgotten by both. He li\ed to a rijie 
old age, and died in Buffalo. N. Y., March 8, 1874- 



FOURTEENTH PRESIDENT. 



7i 




-4 :>!> ^^FRMKLIN PIERCE."^ 






RANKLIN PIERCE, the 
fourteenth President of the 
^ United States, was born in 
Hillsborough, N. H., Nov. 
23, 1804. His father was a 
Revohitionary soldier, who, 
with his own strong arm, 
hewed out a liome in the 
wilderness. He was a man 
of inflexible integrity; of 
strong, though uncultivated 
mind, and an uncompromis- 
ing Democrat. The mother of 
Franklin Pierce was all that a son 
could desire, — an intelligent, pru- 
dent, affectionate, Christian wom- 
an. Franklin was the sixth of eight children. 

Franklin was a very bright and handsome boy, gen- 
erous, warm-hearted and brave. He won alike the 
love of old and young. The boys on the play ground 
loved him. His teachers loved him. The neighbors 
looked upon him with pride and affection. He was 
by instinct a gentleman; always speaking kind words, 
doing kind deeds, with a peculiar unstudied tact 
wliich taught him what was agreeable. Witliout de- 
veloping any precocity of genius, or any unnatural 
devotion to books, he was a good scholar; in body, 
in mind, in affections, a finely-developed boy. 

When sixteen years of age, in the year 1820, he 
entered Bowdoin College, at Brunswick, Me He was 
one of the most popular young men in the college. 
The purity of his moral character, the unvarying 
courtesy of his demeanor, his rank as a scholar, and 



genial nature, rendered him a universal favorite. 
There was something very peculiarly winning in his 
address, and it was evidently not in the slightest de- 
gree studied : it was the simple outgushing of his 
own magnanimous and loving nature. 

Upon graduating, in the year 1824, Franklin Pierce 
commenced the study of law in the office of Judge 
Woodbury, one of the most distinguished lawyers of 
the State, and a man of great private worth. The 
eminent social qualities of the young lawyer, his 
father's prominence as a public man, and the brilliant 
political career into which Judge Woodbury was en-- 
tering, all tended to entice Mr. Pierce into the faci- 
nating yet perilous path of political life. With all 
the ardor of his nature he esjxjused the cause of Gen. 
Jackson for the Presidency. He commenced the 
practice of law in Hillsborough, and was soon elected 
to represent the town in the State Legislature. Here 
he served for four yeais. The last two years he was 
chosen speaker of the house by a very large vote. 

In 1833, at the age of twenty-nine, he was elected 
a member of Congress. Without taking an active 
part in debates, he was faithful and laborious in duty 
and ever rising in the estimation of those with whom 
he was associatad. 

In 1837, being then but thirty-three years of age, 
he was elected to the Senate of the United States; 
taking his seat just as Mr. Van Buren commenced 
his administration. He was the youngest member in 
the Senate. In the year 1834, he married Miss Jane 
Means Appleton, a lady of rare beauty and accom- 
plishments, and one admirably fitted to adorn every 
station with which her husband was honored. Of the 



72 



FRANKLIN PIERCE. 



three sons who were born to thein, all now sleep with 
their parents i.i the grave. 

In the year 183S, Mr. Pierce, with growing fame 
and increasing business as a lawyer, took up his 
residence in Concord, the capital of New Hampshire. 
President Polk, upon his accession to office, appointed 
Mr. Pierce attorney-general of the United States ; but 
the offer was declined, in consequence of numerous 
professional engagements at home, and the precariuos 
state of Mrs. Pierce's health. He also, about the 
same time declined the nomination for governor by the 
Democratic party. The war with Mexico called Mr. 
Pierce in the army. Receiving the appointment of 
brigadier-general, he embarked, with a portion of his 
troops, at Newport, R. I., on the 27th of May, 1847. 
He took an imix)rtant part in this war, proving him- 
self a brave and true soldier. 

When Gen. Pierce reached his home in his native 
State, he was received enthusiastically by the advo- 
cates of the Mexican war, and coldly by his oppo- 
nents. He resumed the practice of his profession, 
very frequently taking an active part in political ques- 
tions, giving his cordial support to the pro-slavery 
wing of the Democratic party. The compromise 
measures met cordially with his approval; and he 
btrenuously advocated the enforcement of the infa- 
mous fugitive-slave law, which so shocked the religious 
'sensibilities of the North. He thus became distin- 
guished as a " Northern man with Southern principles.'' 
The strong partisans of slavery in the South conse- 
quently regarded him as a man whom they could 
safely trust in office to carry out their plans. 

On the 1 2th of June, 1852, the Democratic conven- 
tion met in Baltimore to nominate a candidate for the 
Presidency. For four days they continued in session, 
end in thirty-five ballotings no one had obtained a 
two-thirds vote. Not a vote thus far had been thrown 
for Gen. Pierce. Then the Virginia delegation 
brought forward his name. There were fourteen 
more ballotings, during which Gen. Pierce constantly 
gained strength, until, at the forty-ninth ballot, he 
received tvifo hundred and eighty-two votes, and all 
other candidates eleven. Gen. Winfield Scott was 
the Whig candidate. Gen. Pierce was chosen with 
great unanimity. Only four States — Vermont, Mas- 
sachusetts, Kentucky and Tennessee — cast their 
electoral votes against him Gen. Franklin Pierce 
was therefore inaugurated President of the United 
States on the 4th of March, 1853. 



His administration proved one of the most stormy our 
country had ever experienced. The contro\ ersy be 
tween slavery and freedom was then approachmg its 
culminating point. It became evident that there was 
an " irrepressible conflict" between them, and that 
this Nation could not long exist " half slave and half 
free." President Pierce, during the whole of his ad- 
ministration, did every thing he could to conciliate 
the South ; but it was all in vain. The conflict every 
year grew more violent, and threats of the dissolution 
of the Union were borne to the North on every South- 
ern breeze. 

Such was the condition of affairs when President 
Pierce approached the close of his four-years' term 
of office. The North had become thoroughly alien- 
ated from him. The anti-slavery sentiment, goaded 
by great outrages, had been rapidly increasing; all 
the intellectual ability and social worth of President 
Pierce were forgotten in deep reprehension of his ad- 
ministrative acts. The slaveholders of the South, al>o, 
unmindful of the fidelity with which he had advo- 
cated those measures of Government which they ap- 
proved, and perhaps, also, feeling that he had 
rendered himself so unpopular as no longer to be 
able acceptably to serve them, ungratefully dro[)ped 
him, and nominated James Buchanan to succeed iiim. 

On the 4th of March, 1857, President Pierce re- 
tired to his home in Concord. Of three children, two 
had died, and his only surviving child had been 
killed before his eyes by a railroad accident , and his 
wife, one of the most estimable and accomplished of 
ladies, was rapidly sinking in consumption. The 
hour of dreadful gloom soon came, and he was left 
alone in the world, without wife or child. 

When the terrible Rebellion burst forth, which di- 
vided our country into two parties, and two only, Mr. 
Pierce remained steadfast in the principles which he 
had always cherished, and gave his sympathies to 
that pro-slaver}' party with which he had ever been 
allied. He declined to do anything, either by voice 
or pen, to strengthen the hand of the National Gov- 
ernment. He continued to reside in Concord until 
the time of his death, which occurred in Octol er, 
1869. He was one of the most genial and social of 
men, an honored communicant of the E[)iscopai 
Church, and one of the kindest of neighbors. Gen- 
erous to a fault, he contributed liberally for tlie al- 
leviation of suffering and want, and many of his low s- 
people were often gladened by his materiiil bounty. 




^Cl 77?^ J r c7ur /ir/y/? ^/r^ 



I'IFTEENTH PRESIDENT. 



7Z?v'^<^c^^^i^^^i^i^<^^f^'^t^^^^<"^^-^'^^''^' ."ti'-:si*^';gti'^'ijg)'iig>«gSi'sg!i'^'^»s^li 





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AMES BUCHANAN, the fif- 
-teenth President of the United 
States, was born in a small 
frontier town, at the foot of the 
eastern ridge of the Allegha- 
nies, in Franklin Co., Penn., on 
the 23d of April, 1791. The place 
where the humble cabin of his 
father stood was called Stony 
Batter. It was a wild and ro- 
mantic spot in a gorge of the moun- 
tains, with towering summits rising 
grandly all around. His father 
was a native of the north of Ireland ; 
a poor man, who had emigrated in 
1783, with little property save his 
own strong arms. Five years afterwards he married 
Elizabeth Spear, the daughter of a respectable farmer, 
and, with his young bride, plunged into the wilder- 
ness, staked his claim, reared his log-hut, opened a 
clearing with his axe, and settled down there to per- 
form his obscure part in the d-rama of life. In this se- 
cluded home, where James was born, he remained 
for eight years, enjoying but few social or intellectual 
advantagi s. When James was eight years of age, his 
father removed to the village of Mercersburg, where 
his son was placed at school, and commenced a 
course of study in English, Latin and Greek. His 
])rogreES was rapid, and at the age of fourteen, he 
entered Dickmson College, at Carlisle. Here he de- 
veloped remarkable taient, and took his stand among 
the first scholars in the institution. His application 
Ku Study was intense, and yet his native powers en- 



abled him to master the most abstnise subjects wi '- 
facility. 

In the year iSog, lie graduated with the highes', 
honors of his clas^. He was then eighteen years of 
age; tall and graceful, vigorous in health, fond of 
athletic sport, an unerring shot, and enlivened with 
an exuberant flow of animal spirits. He immediately 
commenced the study of law in the city of Lancaster, 
and was admitted to the bar in 1812, when he was 
but twenty-one years of age. Very rapidly he rose 
in his profession, and at once took undisputed stand 
with the ablest law}ers of the State. When but 
twenty-six years of age, unaided by counsel, he suc- 
cessfully defended before the State Senate 01 e of the 
judges of the State, who was tried upon articles 01 
impeachment. At the age of thirty it was generally 
admitted that he stood at the head of the bar; aiic 
there was no lawyer in the State who had a more hi- 
crative practice. 

In 1820, he reluctantly consented to run as a 
candidate for Congress. He was elected, and foi 
ten years he remained a member of the Lower House 
Daring the vacations of Congress, he occasionally 
tried some important case. In 1831, he retired 
altogether from the toils of his profession, having ac- 
quired an ample fortune. 

Gen. Jackson, upon his elevation toihe Presidency, 
appointed Mr. Buchanan minister to Russia. The 
duties of his mission he performed with ability, whict, 
gave satisfaction to all parties. Upon his return, ii,, 
1833, he was elected to a seat in the United Sta'es 
Senate. He there met, as his associates, Websier. 
Clay, Wright and Calhoun. He advocated tl;e meas- 
ures projxjsedby President Jackson, cf m. -.king repn- 



7o 



JA3IES BUCHANAN. 



sals against France, to enforce the payment of our 
claims against that countrj'; and defended the 
course of the President in his unprecedented and 
wholesale removal from office of those who were 
not the supporters of his administration. Upon 
this question he was brought into direct collision 
with Henry Clay. lie also, with voice and vote, ad- 
vocated expunging from the journal of the Senate 
the vote of censure against Gen. Jackson for remov- 
ing the deposits. Earnestly he opposed the aboli- 
tion of slavery in the District of Columbia, and 
iirged the prohibition of the circulation of anti- 
slavery documents by the United States mails. 

As to petitions on the subject of slavery, he ad- 
vocated that they should be respectfully received; 
and that the reply should be returned, that Con- 
gress had no power to legislate upon the subject. 
"Congress," said he, "might as well undertake to 
interfere with slavery under a foreign government 
as in any of the (states where it now exists." 

Upon Mr. Polk's accession to the Presidency, Mr. 
Buchanan became Secretary of State, and as such, 
took his share of the I'esponsibility in the conduct 
of the Mexican War. Mr. Polk assumed that cross- 
ing the Nueces by the American troops into the 
disputed territory was not wrong, but for the Mex- 
icans to cross the Rio Grande into that territory 
was a declaration of war. No candid man can read 
with pleasure the account of the course our Gov- 
ernment pursued in that movement. 

Mr. Buchanan identified himself thoroughly with 
the party devoted to the |)erpetuation and extension 
of slavery, and brought all the energies of his mind 
to bear against the Wilmot Proviso. He gave his 
cordial approval to the compromise measures of 
1850, which included the fugitive slave law. Mr. 
Pierce, upon his election to the Presidency, hon- 
ored Mr. Buchanan with the mission to England. 

In the year 1856, a national Democratic conven- 
tion nominated Mr. Buchanan for the Presidency. 
The political conflict was one of the most severe 
in which our country has ever engaged. All the 
friends of slavery were on one side; all the advo- 
cates of its restriction and final abolition on the 
other. Mr. Fremont, the candidate of the enemies 
of slavery, received 114 electoral votes. Mr. Bu- 
chanan received 174, and was elected. The popular 
vote stood 1,340,618 for Fremont, 1,224,750 for 
Buchanan. On March 4, 1857, Mr. Buchanan was 
inaugurated. 

Mr. Buchanan was far advanced in life. Only 
four years were wanting to fill up his three-score 
years and ten. His own friends, those with whom 
he had been allied in i)olitical principles and action 
for years, were seeking the destruction of the Gov- 
ernment, that they might rear upon the ruins of our 
free institutions a nation whose corner-stone should 



be human slavery. In this emergency, Mr. Bu- 
chanan was hopelessly bewildered. He could not, 
with his long-avowed principles, consistently op- 
pose the State-rights party in their assumptions. As 
President of the United States, bound by his oath 
faithfully to administer the laws, he could not, 
without perjury of the grossest kind, unite with 
those endeavoring to overthrow the Republic. He 
therefore did nothing. 

The opponents of Mr. Buchanan's administration 
nominated Abraham Lincoln as their standard- 
bearer in the next Presidential canvass. The pro- 
slavery party declared that if he were elected and 
the control of the Government were thus taken from 
their hands they would secede from the Union, tak- 
ing with them as they retired the National Capi- 
tol at Washington and the lion's share of the ter- 
ritory of the United States. 

As the storm increased in violence, the slave- 
holders, claiming the right to secede, and Mr. Bu- 
chanan avowing that Congress had no power to 
prevent it, one of the most pitiable exhibitions of 
governmental imbecility was exhibited the world 
has ever seen. He declared that Congress had no 
power to enforce its laws in any State which had 
withdrawn, or which was attempting to withdraw, 
from the Union. This was not the doctrine of An- 
drew Jackson, when, with his hand upon his sword- 
hilt, he exclaimed. "The Union must and shall be 
preserved!" 

South Carolina seceded in December, 1860, nearly 
three months before the inauguration of President 
Lincoln. INIr. Buchanan looked on in listless de- 
spair. The rebel flag was raised in Charleston; Ft. 
Sumter was besieged; our forts, navy-yards and 
arsenals were seized; our depots of military stores 
were plundered; and our custom-houses and post- 
offices were appropriated by the rebels. 

The energy of the rebels and the imbecility of 
our P^xecutive were alike marvelous. The nation 
looked on in agony, waiting for the slow weeks to 
glide away and close the administration, so ter- 
rible in its weakness. At length the long-looked- 
for hour of deliverance came, when Abraham Lin- 
coln was to receive the scepter. 

The administration of President Buchanan was 
certainly the most calamitous our country has ex- 
perienced. His best friends cannot recall it with 
pleasure. And still more deplorable it is for his 
fame, that in that dreadful conflict which rolled its 
billows of flame and blood over our whole land, no 
word came from his lips to indicate his wish that 
our country's banner should triumph over the flag 
of the Rebellion. He died at his AVheatland re- 
treat, June 1, 1868. 




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SIXTEENTH PRES/DENT. 



79 



^^^^^^::taisai 






% < ABRAHAM > PilM?-<^|i, < LINCOLN. 1>I^ 





BRAHAM LINCOLN, the 
sixteenth President of tlie 
i^United States, was liorn in 
V^ /#0)\\'f' Hardin Co., Ky., Feb. 12, 
"^fe-^ J^-5il/5 iSog. About the year 1 7 So, a 
man by the name of Abraham 
Liucohi left Virginia with Iiis 
t imily and moved into the then 
wilds of Kentucky. Only two years 
after this emigration, still a young 
man, while working one day in a 
field, was stealthily approached by 
an Indian and shot dead. His widow 
was left in extreme poverty with five 
little children, three boys and two 
girls. Thomas, the youngest of the 
boys, was four years of age at his 
father's death. This Thomas was 
the father of Abraham Lincoln, the 
President of the United States 
whose name must henceforth foi^ever be enrolled 
with the most prominent in the annals of our world. 
Of course no record has been kept of the life 
of one so lowly as Thomas Lincoln. He was among 
the [X)orest of the [Xjor. His home was a wretched 
log-cabin; his food the coarsest and the meanest. 
Education he had none; he could never either read 
or write. As soon as he was able to do anything for 
himself, he was compelled to leave the cabin of his 
starving mother, and push out into the world, a friend- 
.ess, wandering boy, seeking work. He hired him- 
self out, and thus spent the whole of his youth as a 
/iborer in the fields of others. 

When twenty-eight years of age he built a log- 
«abin of his own, and married Nancy Hanks, the 
daughter of another family of poor Kentucky emi- 
grants, who had also come from Virginia. Their 
second. child was Abraham Lincoln, the subject of 
this sketch. The mother of Abraham was a noble 
woman, gentle, loving, pensive, created to adorn 
a palace, doomed to toil and pine, and die in a hovel. 
"All that I am, or hope to be," exclaims the grate- 
ful son " I owe to my angel-mother. 

When he was eight years of age, his father sold his 



cabin and small farm, and moved to Indiana When; 
two years later his mother died. 

Abraham soon became the scribe of the uneducated 
community around him. He could not have had a 
better school than this to teach him to put thouglits 
into words. He also became an eager reader. The 
books he could obtain were few ; but these he ead 
and re-read until they were almost committe I tc 
memory. 

As the years rolled on, the lot of this lowly fan.ilj 
was the usual lot of humanity. There were joys ard 
griefs, weddings and funerals. Abraham's sistn 
Sarah, to whom he was tenderly attached, was niai 
ried when a child of but fourteen years of age, and 
soon died. The family was gradually scattered. Mr 
Thomas Lincoln sold out his squatter's claim 'n 1830 
and emigrated to Macon Co., 111. 

Abraham Lincoln was then twenty-one years of age., 
With vigorous hands he aided his father in rearing 
another log-cabin. Abraham worked diligently at this 
until he saw the family comfortably settled, and theii 
small lot of enclosed prairie planted with corn, when 
he announced to his father his intention to leave 
home, and to go out into the world and seek his for- 
tune. Little did he or his friends imagine how bril- 
liant that fortune was to be. He saw the value ol 
education and was intensely earnest to improve his 
mind to the utmost of his power. He saw the ruin 
which ardent spirits were causing, and became 
strictly temperate; refusing to allow a drop of intoxi- 
cating liquor to pass his lips. And he had read in 
God's word, "Thou shall not take the name of thft 
Lord thy God in v^ir, ;" and a profane expression ha 
was never heard to utter. Religion he revered. Hii 
morals were pure, and he was uncontaminated by a 
single vice. 

Young Al)raham worked for a time as a hired labora 
among the fanners. Then he went to Springfield 
where he was employed in building a large flat-boat 
In this he took a herd of swine, floated them dowi 
the Sangamon to the Illinois, and thence by the Mia 
sissippi to New Orleans. Whatever Abraham Lin 
coin undertook, he performed so faithfully as to givv. 
great satisfaction to his employers. In this adven 



8o 



ABRAHAM LINCOLN. 



ture his employers were so well pleased, that upon 
his return they placed a store and uiill under his care. 

In 1832, at the outbreak of the Black Hawk war, he 
enlisted and was chosen captain of a company. He 
returned to Sanyamon County, and although only 23 
years of age, was a candidate for the Legislature, but 
was defeated. He soon after received from Andresv 
Jackson the appointment of Postmaster of New Salem, 
His only post-otifice was his hat. All the letters he 
received he carried there ready to deliver to those 
he chanced to meet. He studied surveying, and soon 
made this his business. In 1834 he again became a 
candidate for the Legislature, and was elected Mr. 
Stuart, of Springfield, advised him to study law. He 
walked from New Salem to Springfield, borrowed of 
Mr. Stuart a load of books, earned them back and 
began his legal studies. When the Legislature as- 
sembled he trudged on foot with his pack on his back 
one himdred miles to Vandalia, then the capital. In 
1836 he was re-elected to the Legislature. Here it 
was he first met Stephen A. Douglas. In 1839 he re- 
moved to Springfield and began the practice of law. 
His success with the jury was so great that he was 
coon engaged in almost every noted case in the circuit. 

In 1854 the great discussion began between Mr. 
Lincoln and Mr. Douglas, on the slavery question. 
In the organization of the Republican party in Illinois, 
in 1856, he took an active part, and at once became 
one of the leaders in that party. Mr. Lincoln's 
speeches in opposition to Senator Douglas in the con- 
test in 1858 for a seat in the Senate, form a most 
notable part of his history. The issue was on the 
ilavery question, and he took the broad ground of 
he Declaration of Independence, that all men are 
created equal. Mr. Lincoln was defeated in this con- 
test, but won a far higher prize. 

The great Republican Convention met at Chicago 
on tlie i6th ot June, i860. The delegates and 
strangers who crowded the city amounted to twenty- 
five thousand. .An immense building called "The 
Wigwam," was reared to accommodate the Conven- 
tion. There were eleven candidates for whom votes 
were thrown. William H Seward, a man whose fame 
as a statesman had long filled the land, was the most 
orominent. It was generally supposed he would be 
the nominee, Abraham Lincoln, however, received 
the nomination on the third ballot. Little did he then 
dream of the weary years of toil and care, and the 
bloody deatli, to which that nomination doomed him : 
Jind as little did he dream that he was to render services 
to his country, which would fix upon him the eyes of 
the whole civilized world, and which would give him 
a place in the affections of his countrymen, second 
cnly, if second, to that of Washington. 

Election day came and Mr. Lincoln received 180 
electoral votes out of 203 cast, and was, therefore, 
constitutionally elected President of the United States. 
The tirade of abuse that was poured upon this good 



and merciful man, especially by the slaveholders, was 
greater than upon any other man ever elected to this 
high position. In February, 186 1, Mr. Lincoln started 
for Washington, stopping in all the large cities on hia 
way making speeches. The whole journey was frought 
with much danger. Many of the Southern States had 
already seceded, and several attempts at assassination 
were afterwards brought to light. A gang in Balti- 
more had arranged, upon his arrival to"get up a row," 
and in the confusion to make sure of his death with 
revolvers and hand-grenades. .A detective unravelled 
the plot. A secret and special train was provided to 
take him froin HarrisL-urg, through Baltimore, at an 
unexpected hour of the night. The train started at 
half-past ten ; and to prevent ai^y possible communi- 
cation on the part ot the Secessionists with their Con- 
federate gang in Baltimore, as soon as the train hac 
started the telegraph-wires were cut. Mr. Lincoln 
reached Washington in safety and was inaugurated, 
although great anxiety was felt by all loyal people. 

In the selection of his cabinet Mr. Lincoln gave 
to Mr. Seward the Department of State, and to other 
prominent opponents before the convention he gave 
important positions. 

During no other administration have the duties 
devolving upon the President been so manifold, and 
the responsibilities so great, as those which fell to 
the lot of President Lincoln. Knowii-.g this, and 
feeling his own weakness and inability to meet, and in 
his own strength to cope with, the difficulties, he 
learned early to seek Divine wisdom and guidance in 
determining his plans, and Divine comfort in all his 
trials, bo*h jiersonal and national Contrary to his 
own estimate of himself, Mr. Lincoln was one of the 
most courageous of men. He went directly into the 
rebel capital just as the retreating foe was leaving, 
with no guard but a few sailors. From the time he 
had left Sjjringfield, in 1861, however, plans had been 
made for hisassassination,and he at last fell a victim 
tooneofthem. April 14, 1865, he, with Gen. Grant, 
was urgently invited to attend Fords' Theater. It 
was announced that they would Le present. Gen. 
Grant, however, left the city. President Lincoln, feel- 
ing, wiili his characteristic kindliness of heart, that 
it would be a disappointment if he should fail them, 
very reluctantly consented to go. \\'hile listening to 
the play an actor by the name of John Wilkes Booth 
entered the box where the President and family were 
seated, and fired a bullet into his brains. He died the 
next morning at seven o'clock. 

Never before, in the history of the world was a nation 
plunged into such deep grief by the death of it^ ruler. 
Strong men met in -the streets and wept in speechless 
anguish. It is not too much to say that a nation was 
in tears. His was a life which will fitly become a 
model. His name as the savior of his cotintry ^''iil 
live with that of Washington's, its father; his c<^':ntry- 
mer. being unable to decide which is tl'e ereatet. 




J 



■>:^?*^iit^ZiK- 



SEVENTEENTH PRESIDENT. 





NDREW JOHNSON, seven- 
teenth President of the United 
States. The early life of 
Andrew Johnson contains but 
the record of poverty, destitu- 
tion and friendlessness. He 
/ was born December 29, 1808, 
in Raleigh, N. C. His parents, 
belonging to the class of the 
"poor whites " of the South, were 
in such circumstances, that they 
could not confer - /er, the slight- 
est advantages of education upon 
their child. When Andrew was five 
years of age, his father accidentally 
lost his life while herorically endeavoring to save a 
friend from drowning. 'Jn^il teri years of age, Andrew 
was a ragged boy abouf the streets, supported by the 
labor of his mother, who obtained her living with 
her own hands. 

He then, having never attended a school one day, 
and being unable either to read or write, was ap- 
prenticed to a tailor in his native town. A gentleman 
was in the habit of going to the tailor's shop occasion- 
ally, and reading to the boys at work there. He often 
read from the speeches of distinguished British states- 
men. Andrew, who was endowed with a mind of more 
than ordinary native ability, became much interested 
in these speeches ; his ambition was roused, and he 
was inspired with a strong desire to learn to read. 

He accordingly applied himself to the alphabet, and 
with the assistance of some of his fellow-workmen, 
teamed his letters. He then called upon the gentle- 
man to borrow the book of speeches. The owner. 



pleased with his zeal, not only gave him the booK 
but assisted him in learning to combine the letters 
into words. Under such difficulties he pressed oi- 
ward laboriously, spending usually ten or twelve hours 
at work in the shop, and then robbing himself of rest 
and recreatio:^ to devote such time as he could to 
reading. 

He went to Tennessee in 1826, and located at 
Greenville, where he married a young lady who pos 
sessed some education. Under her instructions he 
learned to write and cipher. He became prominent 
in the village debating society, and a favorite with 
the students of Greenville College. In 1828, he or- 
ganized a working man's party, which elected him 
alderman, and in 1830 elected him mayor, which 
position he held three years. 

He now began to take a lively interest in political 
affairs ; identifying himself with the working-classes, 
to which he belonged. In 1835, he was elected a 
member of the House of Representatives of Tennes- 
see. He was then just twenty-seven years of age, 
He became a very active member of the legislature 
gave his adhesion to the Democratic party, and in 
1S40 "stumped the State," advocating Martin Tan 
Buren's claims to the Presidency, in opposition to thosv 
of Gen. Harrison. In this campaign he acquired much 
readiness as a speaker, and extended and increased 
his reputation. 

In 1841, he was elected State Senator; in 1843, he 
was elected a member of Congress, and by successive 
elections, held that important post for ten years In. 
1853, he was elected Governor of Tennessee, and' 
was re-elected in 1855. In all these res|)onsil>le posi- 
tions, he discharged his duties withdi'stinguished abi.- 



ANDREW JOHNSON. 



ity, and proved himself the warm friend of the work- 
ing classes. In 1857, Mr. Johnson was elected 
United States Senator. 

Years before, in 1S45, he had warmly advocated 
the annexation of Texas, stating however, as his 
reason, that he thought this annexation would prob- 
ably prove " to be the gateway out of which the sable 
sons of Africa are to pass from bondage to freedom, 
j.nd become merged in a population congenial to 
themselves." In 1850, he also supported the com- 
promise measures, the two essential features of which 
were, that the white people of the Territories should 
oe permitted to decide for themselves whether they 
would enslave the colored people or not, and that 
the free States of the North should return to the 
South persons who attempted to escape from slavery. 

Mr. Johnson was neverashamedof his lowly origin: 
on the contrary, he often took pride in avowing that 
he owed his distinction to his own exertions. "Sir,'" 
said he on the floor of the Senate, " I do not forget 
that I am a mechanic; neither do I forget that Adam 
was a tailor and sewed fig-leaves, and that our Sav- 
ior was the son of a carpenter." 

In the Charleston-Baltimore convention of iSbo, ne 
was the choice of the Tennessee Democrats for the 
Presidency. In 186 1, when the purpose of the South- 
irn Democracy became apparent, he took a decided 
stand in favor of the Union, and held that " slavery 
must be held subordinate to the Union at whatever 
cost." He returned to Tennessee, and repeatedly 
imperiled his own life to protect the Unionists of 
Tennesee. Tennessee having seceded from the 
Union, President Lincoln, on March 4th, 1862, ap- 
fwinted him Military Governor of the State, and he 
established the most stringent military rule. His 
numerous proclamations attracted wide attention. In 

1864, he was elected Vice-President of the United 
States, and upon the death of Mr. Lincoln, April 15, 

1865, became President. In a speech two days later 
he said, " The American people must be taught, if 
ihey do not already feel, that treason is a crime and 
must be cunished ; that the Government will not 
always beai with its enemies ; that it is strong not 
only to protect, but to punish. * * The people 
must understand that it (treason) is the blackest of 
crimes, and will surely be punished." Yet his whole 
administration, the history of which is so well known, 
was in utter in^jonsistency with, and the most violent 



opposition to, the principles laid down in that speech. 

In his loose policy of reconstruction and general 
amnesty, he was opposed by Congress; and he char 
acterized Congress as a new rebellion, and lawlessly 
defied it, in everything possible, to the utmost. In 
the beginning of 1868, on account of "high crimes 
and misdemeanors," the principal of which was the 
removal of Secretary Stanton, in violation of the Ten- 
ure of Office Act, articles of impeachment were pre- 
ferred against him, and the trial began March 23. 

It was very tedious, continuing for nearly three 
months. A test article of the impeachment was at 
length submitted to the court for its action. It was 
certain that as the court voted upon that article so 
would it vote upon all. Thirty-four voices pronounced 
the President guilty. As a two-thirds vote was neces- 
sary to his condemnation, he was pronounced ac- 
quitted, notwithstanding the- great majority against 
him. The change of one vote from the not guilty 
side would have sustained the impeachment. 

The President, for the remainder of his term, was 
but little regarded. He continued, though impotent'^, 
his conflict with Congress. His own party did not 
think it expedient to renominate him for the Presi- 
dency. The Nation rallied, with enthusiasm unpar- 
alleled since the days of Washington, around the name 
of Gen. Grant. Andrew Johnson was forgotten 
The bullet of the assassin introduced him to the 
President's chair. Notwithstanding this, never was 
there presented to a man a better opportunity to im- 
mortalize his name, and to win the gratitude of a 
nation. He failed utterly. He retired to his home 
in Gree«ville, Tenn., taking no very active part in 
politics until rSjs On Jan 26, after an exciting 
struggle, he was chosen by the Legislature of Ten- 
nessee, United States Senator in the forty-fourth Con- 
gress, and took his seat in that body, at the specia" 
session convened by President Grant, on the 5th of 
March. On the 27th of July, 1875, the ex-President 
made a visit to his daughter's home, near Carter 
Station, Tenn. When he started on his journey, he was 
apparently in his usual vigorous health, but on reach- 
ing the residence of his child the following day, was 
stricken with paralysis, rendering him unconscious. 
He rallied occasirnally, but finally passed away at 
2 A.M., July 31, aged sixty-seven years. His fun- 
eral was attended at Geenville, on the 3d of August, 
with every demonstration of respect- 




/^^ 



ETGHTEENTH PRESIDENT. 



St 




LYSSES S. GRANT, the 
eighteenth President of the 
' United States, was born on 
the 29th of April, 1822, of 
Christian parents, in a humble 
-•'' home, at Point Pleasant, on the 
') banks of the Ohio. Shortly after 
1 his father moved to George- 
J town, Brown Co., O. In this re- 
I mote frontier hamlet, Ulysses 
\t received a common-school edu- 
cation. At the age of seven- 
teen, in the year 1839, he entered 
"^ the Military Academy at West 
I Point. Here he was regarded as a 
jolid, sensible young man of fair abilities, and of 
sturdy, honest character. He took respectable rank 
as a scholar. In June, 1843, he graduated, about the 
middle in his class, and was sent as lieutenant of in- 
fantry to one of the distant military posts in the Mis- 
souri Territory. Two years he past in these dreary 
solitudes, watching the vagabond and exasperating 
Indians. 

The war with Mexico came. Lieut. Grant was 
sent with his regiment to Corpus Christi. His first 
battle was at Palo Alto. There was no chance here 
for the exhibition of either skill or heroism, nor at 
Resaca de la Palma, his second battle. At the battle 
of Monterey, his third engagement, it is said that 
ne performed a signal service of daring and skillful 
horsemanship. His brigade had exhausted its am- 
munition. A messenger must be sent for more, along 
a route exposed to the bullets of the foe. Lieut. 
Grant, adopting an expedient learned of the Indians, 
grasped the mane of his horse, and hanging upon one 
side of tlie anir«^al, ran the gauntlet in entire safety. 



From Monterey he was sent, with the fourth infantry, 
to aid Gen. Scott, at the siege of Vera Cruz. Jn 
preparation for the march to the city of Mexico, he 
was appointed quartermaster of his regiment. At the 
battle of Molino del Rey, he was promoted to a 
first lieutenancy, and was brevetted captain at Cha- 
pultepec. 

At the close of the Mexican War, Capt. Grant re- 
turned with his regiment to New York, and was again 
sent to one of the military posts on the frontier. The 
discovery of gold in California causing an immense 
tide of emigration to flow to the Pacific shores, Capt. 
Grant was sent with a battalion to Fort Dallas, in 
Oregon, for the protection of the interests of the im- 
migrants. Life was wearisome in those wilds. Capt. 
Grant resigned his commission and returned to the 
States; and having married, entered upon the cultiva- 
tion of a small farm near St. Louis, Mo. He had but 
little skill as a farmer. Finding his toil not re- 
munerative, he turned to mercantile life, entering into 
the leather business, with a younger brother, at Ga- 
lena, 111. This was in the year i860. As the tidings 
of the rebels firing on Fort Sumpter reached the ears 
of Capt. Grant in his counting-room, he said, — 
"Uncle Sam has educated me for the armv; though 
I have served him through one war, I do not feel that 
I have yet repaid the debt. I am still ready to discharge 
my obligations. I shall therefore buckle on my tword 
and see Uncle Sam through this war too." 

He went into the streets, raised a cempany of vol- 
unteers, and led them as their captain to Springfield, 
the capi'al of the State, where their services were 
offered to Gov. Yates. The Governor, impressed by 
the zeal and straightforward executive ability of Capt. 
Grant, gave him a desk in his office, to assist in the 
volunteer organization that was being formed in the 
State in behalf of the Government. On the 15''' o( 



UL YSSES S. GRA NT. 



]uiie, t86i, Capt. Grant received a commission as 
Colonel of the Twenty-first Regiment of Illinois Vol- 
unteers. His merits as a West Point graduate, who 
had served for 15 years in the regular army, were such 
that he was soon promoted to the rank of Brigadier- 
General and was placed in command at Cairo. The 
rebels raised their banner at Paducah, near the mouth 
of the Tennessee River. Scarcely had its folds ap- 
peared in the breeze ere Gen. Grant was there. The 
rebels fled. Their banner fell, and the star and 
stripes were unfurled in its stead. 

He entered the service with great determination 
and immediately began active duty. This was the be- 
ginning, and until the surrender of Lee at Richmond 
he was ever pushing the enemy with great vigor and 
effectiveness. At Belmont, a few days later, he sur- 
prised and routed the rebels, then at Fort Henry 
won another victory. Then came the brilliant fight 
at Fort Donelson. The nation was electrified by the 
victory, and the brave leader of the boys in blue was 
immediately made a Major-General, and the military 
iistrict of Tennessee was assigned to him. 

Like all great captains, Gen. Grant knew well how 
to secure the results of victory. He immediately 
pushed on to the enemies' lines. Then came the 
terrible battles of Pittsburg Landing, Corinth, and the 
siege of Vicksburg, where Gen. Pemberton made an 
unconditional surrender of the city with over thirty 
thousand men and one-hundred and seventy-two can- 
non. The fall of Vicksburg was by far the most 
severe blow which the rebels had thus far encountered, 
and opened up the Mississippi from Cairo to the Gulf. 

Gen. Grant was next ordered to co-operate with 
Gen. Banks in a movement upon Texas, and pro- 
ceeded to New Orleans, where he was thrown from 
his horse, and received severe injuries, from which he 
was laid up for months. He then rushed to the aid 
jf Gens. Rosecrans and Tliomasat Chattanooga, and 
by a wonderful series of strategic and technical meas- 
ures put the Union Army in fighting condition. Then 
followed the bloody battles at Chattanooga, Lookout 
Mountain and Missionary Ridge, in which the rebels 
were routed with great loss. This won for him un- 
bounded praise in the North. On the 4th of Febru- 
ary, 1864, Congress revived the grade of lieutenant- 
general, and the rank was conferred on Gen. Grant. 
He repaired to Washington to receive his credentials 
and enter upon tb^ duties of his new office 



Gen. Grant decided as soon as he took charge ol 
ihe army to concentrate the widely-dispersed National 
troops for an attack upon Richmond, the nominal 
capital of the Rebellion, and endeavor there to de- 
stroy the rebel armies which would be promptly as- 
sembled from all quarters for its defence. The whole 
continent seemed to tremble under the tramp of these 
majestic armies, rushing to the decisive battle fi.eld. 
Steamers were crowded with troops. Railway trains 
were burdened with closely packed thousands. His 
plans were comprehensive and involved a series of 
campaigns, which were executed with remarkable en- 
ergy and ability, and were consummated at the sur- 
render of Lee, April 9, 1865. 

The war was ended. The Union was saved. The 
almost unanimous voice of the Nation declared Gen. 
Grant to be the most prominent instrument in its sal. 
vation. The eminent services he had thus rendered 
the country brought him conspicuously forward as the 
Republican candidate for the Presidential chair. 

At the Republican Convention held at Chicago. 
May 21, 1868, he was unanimously nominated for the 
Presidency, and at the autumn election received a 
majority of the popular vote, and 214 out of 294 
electoral votes. 

The National Convention of the Republican party 
which met at Philadelphia on the 5th of June, 1872, 
placed Gen. Grant in nomination for a second term 
by a unanimous vote. The selection was emphati- 
cally indorsed by the people five months later, 292 
electoral votes being cast for him. 

Soon after the close of his second term. Gen. Grant 
started upon his famous trip around the world. He 
visited almost every country of the civilized world, 
and was everywhere received with such ovations 
and demonstrations of respect and honor, private 
as well as public and official, as were never befoie 
bestowed upon any citizen of the United States. 

He was the most prominent candidate before the 
Republican National Convention in 1880 for a re- 
nomination for President. He went to New York and 
embarked in the brokerage business under the firm 
nameof Grant & Ward. The latter proved a villain, 
wrecked Grant's fortune, and for larceny was sent to 
the penitentiary. The General was attacked with 
cancer in the throat, but suffered in his stoic-like 
manner, never complaining. He was re-instated as 
General of the Army and retired by Congress. The 
cancer soon finished its deadly work, and July 23, 
1885, the nation wenf in mourning over the death of 
' the illustrious General. 




S: 



^^£t 



B^/^ 



^ 



NINETEENTH PRESIDENT. 



91 




m^ 



RIJTKEKl'QKD Be Ma^lTliS. 





UTHERFORD B. HAYES, 
k) the nineteenth President of 
"' the United States, was born in 
Delaware, O., Oct. 4, 1822, al- 
^^ most three months after the 
"^ death of his father, Rutherford 
Hayes. His ancestry on both 
the paternal and maternal sides, 
was of the most honorable char- 
acter. It can be traced, it is said, 
as far back as 1280, when Hayes and 
Rutherford were two Scottish chief- 
tains, fighting side by side with 
Baliol, William Wallace and Robert 
Bruce. Both families belonged to the 
nobility, owned extensive estates, 
and had a large following. Misfor- 
;ane cvvKaking the family, George Hayes left Scot- 
.and in 16.S0, and settled in Windsor, Conn. His son 
George wai born in Windsor, and remained there 
during his life. Daniel Hayes, son of the latter, mar- 
ried Sarah Lee, and lived from the time of his mar- 
riage until his death in Simsbury, Conn. Ezekiel, 
son of Daniel, was born in 1724, and was a manufac- 
turerof scythes at Bradford, Conn. Rutherford Hayes, 
son of Ezekiel aud grandfather of President Hayes, was 
born in NewHaven, in .\ugust, 1756. He was a farmer, 
blacksmith and tavern-keeper. He emigrated to 
Vermont at an utiknown date, settling in Br:aitleboro, 
where he established a hotel. Here his son Ruth- 
erford Hayes the father of President Hayes, was 



born. He was married, in September, 1813, to Sophia 
Birchard, of Wilmington, Vt., whose ancestors emi- 
grated thither from Connecticut, they having been 
among the wealthiest and best famlies of Norwich. 
Her ancestry on the male side are traced back to 
1635, to John Birchard, one of the principal founders 
of Norwich. Both of her grandfathers were soldiers 
in the Revolutionary War. 

The father of President Hayes was an industrious 
frugal and opened-hearted man. He was of a me- 
chanical turn, and could mend a plow, knit a stock- 
ing, or do almost anything else that he choose to 
undertake. He was a member of the Church, active 
in all the benevolent enterprises of the town, and con- 
ducted his business on Christian principles. After 
the close of the war of 181 2, for reasons inexplicable 
to his neighbors, he resolved to emigrate to Ohio. 

The journey from Vermont to Ohio in that day 
when there were no canals, steamers, nor railways, 
was a very serious affair. A tour of inspection was 
first made, occupying four months. Mr. Hayes deter 
mined to move to Delaware, where the family arrived 
in 1817. He died July 22, 1822, a victim of malarial 
fever, less than three months before the birth of the 
son, of whom we now write. Mrs. Hayes, in her sore be- 
reavement, found the support she so much needed in 
her brother Sardis, who had been a member of the 
household from the day of its departure from Ver- 
mont, and in an orphan girl whom she had adopted 
some time before as an act of charity. 

Mrs. Hayes at this period was very weak, and the 



<^2 



RUTHERFORD B. HAYES. 



subject of this sketch was so feeble at birth that he 
was not expected to live beyond a month or two at 
most. As the months went by he grew weaker and 
weaker, so that the neighbors were in the habit of in- 
quiring from time to time " if Mrs. Hayes' baby died 
last night." On one occasion a neighbor, who was on 
.l^imiliar terms with the family, after alluding to the 
boy's big head, and the mother's assiduous care of 
Mini, said in a bantering way, " That's right! Stick to 
him. You have got him along so far, and I shouldn't 
wonder if he would really come to something yet." 

" You r-eed not laugh," said Mrs. Hayes. "You 
vait and see. You can't tell but I shall make him 
President of the United States yet." The boy lived, 
in spite of the universal predictions of his speedy 
death; and when, in 1825, his older brother was 
drowned, he became, if possible, still dearer to his 
mother. 

The boy was seven years old before he w<:nt to 
school. His education, however, was not neglected. 
He probably learned as much from his mother and 
(ister as he would have done at school. His sports 
were almost wholly within doors, his playmates being 
his sister and her associates. These circumstances 
tended, no doubt, to foster that gentleness of dispo- 
sition, and that delicate consideration for the feelings 
of others, which are marked traits of his character. 

His uncle Sardis Bircliard took the deepest interest 
kii his education; and as the boy's health had im- 
proved, and he was making good progress in his 
studies, he proposed to send him to college. His pre- 
piration commenced with a tutor at home; but he 
was afterwards sent for one year to a professor in the 
Wesleyan University, in Middletown, Conn. He en- 
tered Kenyon College in 1838, at the age of sixteen, 
and was graduated at the head of his class in 1842. 

Immediately after his graduation he began the 
study of law in the ofifice of Thomas Sparrow, Esq., 
in Columbus. Finding his opportunities for study in 
Columbus somewhat limited, he determined to enter 
the Law School at Cambridge, Mass., where he re- 
mained two years. 

Ill 1845, after graduating at the Law School, he was 
admitted to the bar at Marietta, Ohio, and shortly 
afterward went into practice as an attorney-at-law 
with Ralpli 1' Buckland, of Fremont. Here he re- 
mained three years, acquiring but a limited practice, 
and apparently unambitious of distinction in his pro- 
Cession. 

\ii 1849 he moved to Cincinnati, where his ambi- 
tion found a new stimulus. For several years, how- 
ever, his progress was slow. Two events, occurring at 
this period, had a powerful influence u|)on his subse- 
quent 'ifei One of these was his marrage with Miss 
Lucy Wnre Webb, daughter of Dr. James Webb, of 
Chilicotlie; the othei' was his introduction to the Cin- 
cinnati Literary Club, a body embracing among its 
members such men as "^hief Justice Salmon_^_Chasej^ 



Gen. John Pope, Gov. Edward F. Noyes, and many 
others hardly less distinguished in after life. The 
marriage was a fortunate one in every respect, as 
everybody knows. Not one of all the wives of our 
Presidents was more universally admired, reverenced 
and beloved than was Mrs. Hayes, and no one did 
more than she toreflecthonor upon American woman, 
hood. The Literary CIud brought Mr. Hayes into 
constant association with young men of high char- 
acter and noble aims, and lured him to display the 
ipialities so long hidden by his bashfulnejs and 
modesty. 

In 1856 he was nominated to the office of Judg; of 
the Court of Common Pleas; but he declined to ac. 
cept the nomination. Two years later, the office d 
city solicitor becoming vacant, the City Council 
elected him for the unexpired term. 

In 1861, when the Rebellion broke out, he was ai 
the zenith of his professional l;f.. His rank at the 
bar was among the the first. But the news of the 
attack on Fort Sunipter found him eager to take id 
arms for the defense of his country. 

His military record was bright and illustrious. In 
October, 1861, he was made Lit-utenant-Colonel, and 
in August, 1S62, promoted Colonel of the ygtli Ohio 
regiment, but he refused to leave his old comrades 
and go among strangers. Subsequently, however, he 
was made Colonel of his old regiment. At the battle 
of South Mountain he received a wound, and while 
faint and bleeding displayed courage and fortitude 
that won admiration from all. 

Col. Hayes was detached from his regiment, after 
his recovery, to act as Brigadier-General, and jjlaced 
in command of the celebrated Kanav/ha division, 
and for gallant and meritorious services in the battles 
of Winchester, Fisher's Hill and Cedar Creek, he was 
promoted Brigadier-General. He was also brevetted 
Major-General, "for gallant and distinguished services 
during the campaigns of 1864, in West Virginia." In 
the course of his arduous services, four horses were 
shot from under him, and he was wounded four times 

In 1864, Gen. Hayes was elected to Congress, frcsii 
the Second Ohio District, which had long been Dem- 
ocratic. He was not present during the campaign, 
and after his election was importuned to resign his 
commission in the army ; but he finally declared, " I 
shall never come to Washington until I can come liy 
the way of Richmond." He was re-elected in t866. 

In 1867, Gen Hayes was elected Governor of Ohio, 
over Hon. Allen G. Thunnan, a populai Democrat. 
In 1869 was re-elected over George H. Pendleton. 
He was elected Governor for the third term in 1875. 

In 1876 he was the standard l^earer of the Repub- 
lican Party in tne Presidential contest, and ai'ter .t 
hard long contest was chosen President, and was in 
augurated Monday, March 5, 1875. He served his 
full term, not, h.cwever, with satisfaction to h;s party, 
but his administration was an average or;? 



Tiy'£/vT/ErU rRESJl.ENT. 



05 









AMES A. GARFIELD, twen- 
tieth President of the United 
States, was born Nov. 19, 
I S3 1, in the woods of Orange, 
Cuyahoga Co., O His par- 
ents were Abram and Eliza 
(Ballou) Garfield, both of New 
England ancestry and from fami- 
lies well known in the early his- 
^\U tory of that section of our coun- 
try, but had moved to the Western 
Reserve, in Ohio, early in its settle- 
ment. 

The house in which James A. was 
born was not unlike the houses of 
I poor Ohio farmers of that day. It 
.,dS about 20x30 feet, built of logs, with the spaces be- 
xveen the logs filled with clay. His father was a 
.'lard working fanner, and he soon had his fields 
cleared, an orchard planted, and a log barn built. 
The liousehold comprised the father and mother and 
(heir four children — Mehetabel, Thomas, Mary and 
Tames. In May, iS23j the father, from a cold con- 
.racted in helping to put out a forest fire, died. At 
(his time James was about eighteen months old, and 
Thomas about ten years old. No one, perhaps, can 
iell how much James was indebted to his biother's 
ceil and self-sacrifice during the twenty years suc- 
ceeding his father's death,, but undoubtedly very 
much. He now lives in Michigan, and the two sis- 
ters live in Solon, O., near their l)irthplace. 

The early educational advantages young Garfield 
enjoyed were very limited, yet he made the most of 
tnem. He labored at farm work for others, did car- 
penter work, chi>]iped wood, or did anything that 
would bring in a few dollars to aid his widowed 
mother in he- sttnggles to keep the little family to- 



gether. Nor was Gen. Garfield ever ashamed of his 
origin, and he never forgot the friends of his strug- 
gling childhood, youth and manhood, neither did they 
ever forget him. When in the highest seats of honor 
the humblest fiiend of his boyhood was as kindly 
greeted as ever. The poorest laborer was sure of the 
sympathy of one who had known all the bitterness 
of want and the sweetness of bread earned by the 
sweat of the brow. He was ever the simple, plain, 
modest gentleman. 

The highest ambition of young Garfield until hi 
was about sixteen years old was to be a captain of 
a vessel on Lake Erie. He was anxious to go aboard 
a vessel, which his mother strongly opposed. She 
finally consented to his going to Cleveland, with the 
understanding, however, that he should try to obtair 
some other kind of employment. He walked all the 
way to Cleveland. This was his first visit to the city 
After making many applications for work, and trying 
to get aboard a lake vessel, and not meeting with 
success, he engaged as a driver for his cousin, Amos 
Letcher, on the Ohio & Pennsylvania Canal. He re- 
mained at this work but a short time when he wen' 
home, and attended the seminary at Chester for 
about three years, when he entered Hiram and the 
Eclectic Institute, teaching a few terms of school in 
the meantime, and doing other work. This school 
was started by the Disciples of Christ in 1S50, of 
which churcli he was then a member. He became 
janitor and bell-ringer in order to help pay his wax- 
He then became both teacher and pupil. He soon 
" exhausted Hiram " and needed more ; hence, in the 
fall of 1854, he entered Williams College, from which 
he graduated in 1S56, taking one of the highest hon- 
ors of his class. He afterwards returned to Hiram 
College as its President. As above stated, he early 
united with the Christian or Diciples Church at 
Hiram, and was ever after a devoted, zealous mem- 
ber, often preaching in its pulpit and places where 
he happened to be. Dr. Noah Porter, President of 
Yale College, says of him in reference to his rel'Liion: 



9ft 



JAMES A. GARFIELD. 



•' President Garfield was more than a man of 
strong moral and religious coavictions. His whole 
history, from boyhood to the last, shows that duty to 
man and to God, and devotion to Christ and life and 
faith and spiritual commission were <-ontrolling springs 
of his being, and to a more than usual degree. In 
my jadgmeni. there is no more interesting feature of 
iiis character than his loyal allegiance to the body of 
Christians in wh'.ch he was trailed, and the fervent 
sympathy which he ever showed in their Christian 
communion. Not many of the few 'wise and mighty 
and noble who are called' show a similar loyalty to 
the less stately and cultured Christian comnmnions 
in which they have been reared. Too often it is true 
that as they step upward in social and political sig- 
nificance they step upward from one degree to 
another in some of the many types of fashionable 
Christianity. President Garfield adhered to the 
;hurchof his mother, the church in which he was 
trained, and in which he served as a pillar and an 
evangelist, and yet with the largest and most unsec- 
'arian charity for all 'who loveour Lord in sincerity.'" 

Mr. Garfield was united in marriage with Miss 
Lucretia Rudolph, Nov. 1 1, 1858, who proved herself 
worthy as the wife of one whom all the world loved and 
mourned. To them were born seven children, five of 
whom are still living, four boys and one girl. 

Mr. Garfield made his first political speeches in 1856, 
jn Hiram and the neighboriiig villages, and three 
years later he began to speak at county mass-meet- 
ings, and became the favorite speaker wherever he 
was. During this year he was elected to the Ohio 
Senate. He also began to study law at Cleveland, 
and in 1861 was admitted to the bar. The great 
Rebellion broke out in the early part of this year, 
and Mr. Garfield at once resolved to fight as he had 
talked, and enlisted to defend the old flag. He re- 
ceived his commission as Lieut. -Colonel of the Forty- 
second Regiment of Ohio Volunteer Lifantry, Aug. 
14,1861. He was immediately put into active ser- 
vice, and before he had ever seen a gun fired in action, 
was placed in command of four regiments of infantry 
and eight companies of cavalry, charged with the 
work of driving out of his native State the officer 
'Humphrey Marshall) reputed to be the ablest of 
those, not educated to war whom Kentucky had given 
to the Rebellion. This work was bravely and speed- 
ily accomplished, although against great odds. Pres- 
ident Lincoln, on his success commissioned him 
Brigadier-General, Jan. 10, 1862; and as "he had 
been the youngest man in the Ohio Senate two years 
before, so now he was the youngest General in the 
army." He was with Gen. Buell's army at Shiloh, 
in its operations around Corinth and its march through 
Alabama. He was then detailed as a member of the 
General Court-Martial for the trial of Gen. Fitz-John 
Porter. He was then ordered to report to Gen, Rose- 
crans, and was assigned to the "Chief of Staff." 

The military history of Gen. Garfield closed with 



his brilliant services at Chickamauga, where he woi 
the stars of the Major-General. 

Without an effort on his part Gei? Garfield wa. 
elected to Congress in the fall of 1862 from tht 
Nineteenth District of Ohio. This section of Ohio 
had been represented in Congress for sixty year» 
mainly by two men — Elisha Whittlesey and Joshui, 
R. Giddings. It was not witliout a struggle that he 
resigned his place in the army. At the time he en- 
tered Congress he was the youngest member in thai 
body. Ther^ he remained by successive re- 
elections until he was elected President in 1880. 
Of nis labors in Congress Senator Hoar says : " Sinct 
the year 1864 you cannot think of a question whici. 
has been debated in Congress, or discussed before i. 
tribunel of the American people, in regard to whic' 
you will not find, if you wish mstruction, the argu. 
ment on one side stated, in almost every instance 
better than by anybody else, in some speech made in 
the House of Representatives or on the hustings by 
Mr. Garfield." 

U[X3n Jan. 14, 1880, Gen. Garfield was elected to 
the U. S. Senate, and on the eiglith of June, of the 
same year, was nominated as the candidate of his 
party for President at the great Chicago Convention. 
He was elected in the following November, and on 
March 4, 1881, was inaugurated. Probably no ad- 
ministration ever opened its existence under brighter 
auspices than that of President Garfield, and every 
day it grew in favor with the people, and by the first 
of July he had completed all the initiatory and pre- 
liminary work of his administration and was prepar- 
ing to leave the city to meet his friends at Williams 
College. While on his way and at the depot, in com- 
pany with Secretary Blaine, a man stepped behind 
him, drew a revolver, and fired directly at his back. 
The President tottered and fell, and as he did so the 
assassin fired a second shot, the bullet cutting the 
left coat sleeve of his victim, Inif in.licting no farther 
injury. It has been very truthfully said that this was 
" the shot that was heard round the world " Never 
before in the history of the Nation had anything oc- 
curred which so nearly froze the blood of the peop"? 
for the moment, as this awful deed. He was smit 
ten on the brightest, gladdest day of all his life, and 
was at the summit of his power and hope. For eighty 
days, all during the hot months of July and August, 
lie lingered and suffered. He, however, remained 
master of himself till the last, and by his magnificent 
bearing was teaching the country and the world the 
noblest of human lessons — how to live grandly in the 
very clutch of death. Great in life, he was sur|5ass- 
ingly great in death. He passed serenely awavSept. 
19, 1883, at Elberon, N. J., on the very bank of tlie 
ocean, where he had been taken shortly previous. The 
world w'ept at his death, as it never had done on the 
death of any other man who had ever lived uj-on it. 
The murderer was duly tried, found guilty and exe- 
cuted, in one year after he committ'»d the foul deed. 



TWENTY.FIRST PRESIDENT. 







HESTER A. ARTHUR, 

twenty-first Presi'^.^ni of the 

United States was born in 

Franklin Cour ty, Vermont, on 

thefifthofOc'ober, 1830, and is 

the oldest of a family of two 

sons and five daughters. His 

father was the Rev. Dr. William ' 

Arthur, a Baptist d.rgyman, who 

emigrated to tb.s countr)' fro;n 

the county Ant.im, Ireland, in 

his i8th year, and died in 1875, in 

Newtonville, neai Albany, after a 

long and successful ministry. 

Young Arthur was educated at 
Union College, S< henectady, where 
he excelled in all his studies. Af- 
ter his graduation he taught school 
in Vermont for two years, and at 
the expiration cf that time came to 
New York, with $500 in his jxicket, 
and catered the ofifice of ex-Judge 
E. D. Culver as student. After 
being admitted to the bar he formed 
a partnership with his intimate friend and room-mate, 
Henry D. Gardiner, with the intention of practicing 
i,i the West, and for three months they roamed about 
in the Western States in search of an eligible site, 
but in the end returned to New York, where they 
hung out their shingle, and entered upon a success^ 
fill career almost from the start. General Arthur 
soon afterward mftrr'''d the daughter of Lieutenant 




Hemdon, of the United States Navy, who was lost at 
sea. Congress voted a gold medal to his widow in 
recognition of the bravery he displayed on that occa- 
sion. Mrs. Arthur died shortly before Mr. Arthur s 
nommation to the Vice Presidency, leaving two 
children. 

Gen. Arthur obtained considerable legal celebrity 
in his first great case, the famous Lemmon suit, 
brought to recover possession of eight slaves who had 
been declared free by Judge Paine, of the Superior 
Court of New York City. It was in 1852 that Jon. 
athan Lemmon, of Virginia, went to New York with 
his slaves, intending to ship them to Texas, when 
they were discovered and freed. The Judge decided 
that they could not be held by the owner under the 
Fugitive Slave Law. A howl of rage went up from 
the South, and the Virginia Legislature authorized tlie 
Attorney General of that State to assist in an appeal. 
Wm. M. Evarts and Chester A. Arthur were employed 
to represent the People, and they won their case, 
which then went to the Supreme Court of the United 
States. Charles O'Conor here espoused the cause 
of the slave-holders, but he too was beaten by Messrs 
Evarts and Arthur, and a long step was taken toward 
the emancipation of the black race. 

Another great service was rendered by General 
Arthur in the same cause in 1856. Lizzie Jennings, 
a respectable colored woman, was put off a Fourth 
Avenue car with violence after she had paid her fare. 
General Arthur sued on her behalf, and secured a 
verdict of $500 damages. The next day the compa- 
ny issued an order to admit colored persons to ride 
on their cars, and the other car companies quickly 



CHESTER A. ARTHUR. 



followed their example. Before that the Sixth Ave- 
nue Coaipaiiy ran a few special cars for colored per- 
sons and the other lines refused to let them ride at all. 

General Arthur was a delegate to the Convention 
at Saratoga that founded the Republican party. 
Previous to the war he was Judge-Advocate of the 
Second Brigade of the State of New York, and Gov- 
ernor Morgan, of that State, appointed him Engineer- 
in-Chief of his staff. In i86i, he was made Inspec- 
tor General, and soon afterward became Quartermas- 
ter-General. In each of these offices he rendered 
great service to the Government during the war. At 
the end of Governor Morgan's term he resumed the 
practice of the law, forming a partnership with Mr. 
Ransom, and then Mr. Phelps, the District Attorney 
of New York, was added to the firm. The legal prac- 
tice of this well-known firm was very large and lucra- 
tive, each of the gentlemen composing it were able 
lawyers, and possessed a splendid local reputation, if 
not indeed one of natiorfal extent. 

He always took a leading part in State and city 
politics. He was apjx)inted Collector of the Port of 
New York by President Grant, Nov. 21 1872, to suc- 
ceed Thomas Murphy, and held the office until July, 
?o, 1 878, when he was succeeded by Collector Merritt. 

Mr. Arthur was nominated on the Presidential 
ticket, with Gen. James A. Garfield, at the famous 
National Republican Convention held at Chicago in 
June, 1880. This was perhaps the greatest political 
convention that ever assembled on the continent. It 
was composed of the heading politicians of the Re- 
publican party, all able men, and each stood firm and 
fought vigorously and with signal tenacity for their 
respective candidates that were before the conven- 
tion for the nomination. Finally Gen. Garfield re- 
ceived the nomination for President and Gen. Arthur 
for Vice-President. The campaign which followed 
was one of the most animated known in the history of 
our country. Gen. Hancock, the standard-bearer of 
the Democratic party, was a popular man, and his 
party made a valiant fight for his election. 

Finally the election came and the country's choice 
»vas Garfield and Arthur. They were inaugurated 
,vlarch 4, 1881, as President and Vice-President. 
K few months only had passed ere the newly chosen 
President was the victim of the assassin's bullet. Then 
came terrible weeks of suffering, — those moments of 
anxious suspense, when the hearts of all civilized na- 



tions were throbbing in unison, longing for the re 
covery of the noble, the good President. The remark- 
able patience that he manifested during those hours 
and weeks, and even months, of the most terrible suf- 
fering man has often been called upon to endure, was 
seemingly more than human. It was certainly God- 
like. During all this period of deepest anxiety Mr, 
Arthur's every move was watched, and be it said to his 
credit that his every action displayed only an earnest 
desire that the suffering Garfield might recovt;r, to 
serve the remainder of the term he had so auspi- 
ciously begun. Not a selfish feeling was manifested 
in deed or look of this man, even though the nios- 
honored jxDsition in the world ivas at any niomen' 
likely to fall to him. 

At last God in his mercy relievea President Gar 
field from further suffering, and the world, as nevei 
before in its history over the death ol any nihei 
man, wept at his bier. Then it became the duty c / 
the Vice President to assume the responsiL.ilitii.s ol 
the high office, and he took the oath in New Yo;k. 
Sept. 20, r88i. The position was an embarr.issing 
one to him, made doubly so from the facts that all 
eyes were, on him, anxious to know what he would do, 
what policy he would pursue, and who he would se- 
lect as advisers. The duties of the office h;id been 
greatly neglected during the President's long illness 
and many important measures were to be immediately 
decided by him ; and still farther to embarrass him he 
did not fail to realize under what circumstantes he 
became President, and knew the feelings of many on 
this jxjint. Under these trying circumstances President 
Arthur took the reins of the Government in his nw,. 
hands ; and, as embarrassing as were the condition O'f 
affair.-- he happily surprised the nation, acting so 
wisel) " hat but few criticised lis administration. 
He served the nation well and faithfully, until the 
close of his administration, March 4, 1885, and wa- 
a popular candidate before his party for a second 
term. His name was ably presented before the con 
vention at Chicago, and was received with great 
favor, and doubtless but for the personal popnl iruy 
of one of the opposing candidates, he would have 
been selected as the standard-bearer of his parly 
for another campaign. He retired to private life car- 
rying with him the best wishes of the American peo- 
ple, whom he had served in a manner satisfactory 
to them and with credit to himself. 




r a^i^rt^r' Cj^C^uC-ZcuLyxJ'^ 



TWENTY-SECOND PRESIDnNT. 



i«3 




^;:S*$A$«^;;:$«»-g::$«*>^**i$<S'i>:&4^;;;irt"f;:s^^;:s.6.-;;;:5^-gKir>^;!^^^ 








TEPHEN GROVER CLEVE- 
LAND, the twenty- second Pres- 
ident of the United States, was 
born in 1837, in the obscure 
town of Caldwell, Essex Co., 
N. J., and in a little two-and-a- 
half-story white house which is still 
standing, characteristically to mark 
the humble birth-place of one of 
America's great men in striking con- 
trast with the Old World, where all 
men high in office must be high in 
origin and born in the cradle of 
wealth. When the subject of this 
sketch was three years of age, his 
father, who was a Presbyterian min- 
ister, with a large family and a small salary, moved, 
by way of the Hudson River and Erie Canal, to 
Fayetteville, in search of an increased income and a 
larger field of work. Fayetteville was then the most 
straggling of country villages, about five miles from 
Pompey Hill, where Governor Seymour was born. 

At the last mentioned place young Grover com- 
menced going to school in the "good, old-fashioned 
way." and presumably distinguished himself after the 
manner of all village boys, in doing the things he 
ought not to do. Such is the distinguishing trait of 
all geniuses and independent thinkers. When he 
arrived at the age of 14 years, he had outgrown the 
cacacity of the village school and expressed a most 



emphatic desire to be sent to an academy. To this 
his father decidedly objected. Academies in those 
days cost money; besides, his father wanted him to 
become self-sup[X)rting by the quickest possible 
means, and this at that time in Fayetteville seemed 
to be a position in a country store, where his father 
and the large family on his hands had considerable 
influence. Grover was to be paid $50 for his services 
tlie first year, and if he proved trustworthy he was to 
receive $100 the second year. Here the lad com- 
menced his career as salesman, and in two years he 
had earned so good a reputation for trustworthiness 
tliat his employers desired to retain him for an in- 
definite length of time. Otherwise he did not ex- 
hibit as yet any particular " flashes of genius " or 
eccentricities of talent. He was simply a good boy. 
But instead of remaining with this firm in Fayette- 
ville, he went with the family in their removal to 
Clinton, where he had an opportunity of attending a 
high school. Here he industriously pursued his 
studies until the family removed with him to a point 
on Black River known as the " Holland Patent," a 
village of 500 or 600 people, 15 miles north of Utica, 
N. Y. At this place his father died, after preaching 
but three Sundays. This event broke up the family, 
and Grover set out for New York City to accept, at a 
small salary, the position of " under-teacher " in an 
asylum for the blind. He taught faithfully for two 
years, and although he obtained a good reputation in 
this capacity, he conclui-d that teaching was not his 



S. GROVE R CLEVELAND. 



calli ig for life, and, reversing the traditional order, 
he left the city to seek his fortune, instead of going 
to a city. He first thought of Cleveland, Ohio, as 
thftre was some charm in that name for him; but 
before proceeding to that place he went to Buffalo to 
tsk the advice of his uncle, Lewis F. Allan, a noted 
stock-breeder of that place. The latter did not 
speak enthusiastically. "What is it you want to do, 
my boy ? " he asked. " Well, sir, I want to study 
lav," was the reply, "Good gracious!" remarked 
ih*« old gentleman ; " do you, indeed .'' What ever put 
that into your head ? How much money have you 
got?" "Well, sir, to tell the truth, I haven't got 
ani'." 

After a long consultation, his uncle offered him a 
place temporarily as assistant herd-keeper, at $50 a 
year, while lie could "look around." One day soon 
afterward he boldly walked into the office of Rogers, 
Bowen & Rogers, of Buffalo, and told Uiem what he 
wanted. A number of young men were already en- 
gaged in the office, but Grover's persistency won, and 
he was finally permitted to come as an office boy and 
Have the use of the law library, for the nominal sum 
of $3 or $4 a week. Out of this he had to pay for 
his board and washing. The walk to and from his 
luncle's was a long and rugged one; and, although 
the first winter was a memorably severe one, his 
shoes were out of repair and his overcoat — he had 
none — yet he was nevertheless prompt and regular. 
On the first day of his service here, his senior em- 
ployer threw down a copy of Blackstone before him 
with a bang that made the dust fly, saying "That's 
where they all begin." A titter ran around the little 
circle of clerks and students, as they thought that 
was enough to scare young Grover out of his plans ; 
out in due time he mastered that cumbersome volume. 
Then, as ever afterward, however, Mr. Cleveland 
exhibited a talent for executiveness rather than for 
chasing principles through all their metaphysical 
possibil'ties. " Let us quit talking and go and do 
:t," was practically his motto. 

The first public office to which Mr. Cleveland was 
elected was tliat of Sheriff of Erie Co., N. Y., in 
which Buffalo is situated; and in such capacity it fell 
to his duty to inflict capital pi'r.ishment upon two 
caiminals. In 1881 he was elected Mayor of the 
City of Buffalo, on the Democratic ticket, with es- 
pecial reference to the bringing about certain reforms 



in the administriion of the municipal affairs of that 
city. In this office, as well as that of Sheriff, his 
performance of duty has generally been considered 
fair, with possibly a few exceptions which were fer- 
reted out and magnified during the last Presidential 
campaign. As a specimen of his plain language in 
a veto message, we quote from one vetoing an ini?ui 
tous street-cleaning contract: "This is a time fo* 
plain speech, and my objection to your action shall 
be plainly stated. I regard it as the culmination of 
a mos bare-faced, impudent and shameless scheme 
to betray the interests of the people and to worsj 
than squander the people's money." The New York 
Sun afterward very highly commended Mr. Cleve- 
land's administration as Mayor of Buffalo, and there- 
upon recommended him for Governor of the Empire 
State. To the latter office he was elected in 1882, 
and his administration of the affairs of State was 
generally satisfactoiy. The mistakes he made, if 
any, were made very public throughout the nation 
after he was nominated for President of the United 
States. For this high office he was nominated July 
II, 1884, by the National Democratic Convention at 
Chicago, when other competitors were Thomas F. 
Bayard, Roswell P. Flower, Thomas A. Hendricks, 
Benjamin F. Butler, Allen G. Thurman, etc.; and he 
was elected by the people, by a majority of about a 
thousand, over the brilliant and long-tried Repub- 
lican statesman, James G. Blaine. President Cleve- 
land resigned his office as Governor of New York in 
January, 1885, in order to prepare for his duties as 
the Chief Executive of ihe United States, in which 
capacity his term commenced at noon on the 4th of 
March, 1885. 

The silver question precipitated a controversy 
between those who were in favor of the continu- 
ance of silver coinage and those who were opposed, 
Mr. Cleveland answering for the latter, even before 
his inauguration. 

On June 2, 1886, President Cleveland married 
Frances, daughter of his deceased friend and 
partner, Oscar Folsom, of the Buffalo Bar. Their 
union has been blessed by the birth of one daugh- 
ter, Ruth. In the campaign of 1888, President 
Cleveland was renominated by his party, but the 
Republican candidate. Gen. Benjamin Harrison, 
was victorious. In the nominations of 1892 these 
two candidates for the highest position in the gift 
of the people were again pitted against each other 
and President Cleveland was victorious by an 
overwhelming majority. 




'^(Sj2yoc^ ^ V^s^/- -^ u<^-d>-t^ 



TWENTY -THIRD PRESIDENT, 



KJ 




••o»o.'©Xl®" 




;ENJAMIN HARRISON, the 
iwenty-thiif] President, is 
the descendant of one of the 
historical families of this 
country. The head of the 
family was a Major General 
Harrison, one of Oliver 
Cromwell's trudted follow- 
ers and fighters. In the zenith of Crom- 
well's power it became tho duty of this 
Harrison to participate in tCie trial of 
Charles I, and ifterward tc sign the 
dettxh warrant of the king. He subse- 
^'aently paid for this with his life, being 
hung Oct. 13, 1660. His descendants 
came to America, and the next of the 
family that appears in history is Benja- 
rr;in Marrison, of Virginia, great-grand- 
father of the subject of this sketch, and 
after wbom he was named. Benjamin Harrison 
v&p a member of the Continental Congress during 
the years 1 774-5-6, and was one of the original 
signers of the Declaration of Independence. He 
wa th.'ee Times elected Governor of Virginia 
Gen Wiiiian-. Ileniy H:urison. the son of the 



distinguished patriot of the Revolution, after a suo 
cessful career as a soldier during the War of 1812,, 
and with -a clean record as Governor of the North- 
western Territory, was elected President of the 
United States in 1840. His saroer was cut short 
by death within one month .fter Jis in uguration. 
President Harrison vi'- born a(- !Mcr:''. Ty^nd. 
Hamilton Co., Ohio, Aug. '^O, 1833 Hie life up to 
the time of his graduation by the Miami University 
at Oxford, Ohio, was the uneventful one of a coun- 
try lad of a family of small means. His father was 
able to give him a good education, and nothing 
more. He became engaged while at college to th3 
daughter of Dr. Scott, Princip.al of a female schoo 
at Oxford. After graduating he determined to en- 
ter upon the study of the law. He went to Cin 
cinnati and then read law for two years. At the 
expiration of that time young Harrison receivtii tt . 
only inheritance of his life; his arnt dying left bin; 
a lot valued at $800. He regarded this legacy as s 
fortune, and decided to get married at once, tsks 
this money and go to some Eastern town an '. be 
gin the practice of law He sold his lot, and with 
the money in his pocket, he started out wita his 
young Wife to flght for a place in the world- Ma 



108 



BENJAMIN HAREIS01S6. 



decided to go to liidiannpolu, ^^na was even r^t 
that time a town of promise. He met wiih slight 
encouragement at first, making scarcely anything 
the first year. He worlierl diligently, applj'ing him- 
self closely to his calling, built up an extensive 
practice and took a leading rank in the legal pro- 
I'ession. He is the father of two children. 

In 1860 Mr. Harrison was nominated for the 
position of Supreme Court Reporter, and then be- 
gan his experience as a stump speakei lie can- 
vassed the State thoroughly, and was elected by a 
handsome majority. In 1862 he raised the 17th 
Indiana Infantry, and was chosen its Colonel. His 
regiment was composed of *:he rawest of material, 
out Col. Harrison employed all his time at first 
mastering military tactics and drilling his men, 
when he therefore came to move toward the East 
with Sherman his regiment was one of the best 
'Jrilled and organized in the army. At Resaca he 
especially distinguished himself, and for his bravery 
cit Peachtree Creek he was made a Brigadier Gen- 
eral, Gen. Hooker speaking of him in the most 
complimentary terms. 

During the absence of Gen. Harrison in the field 
he Pupreme Court declared the office of the Su- 
premo Court Reporter vacant, and another person 
was elected to the position. From the time of leav- 
ing Indiana with his regiment until the fall or 1864 
he had taken no leave of absence, but having been 
nominated that year for the same office, he got a 
thirty-day leave of absence, and during that time 
made a brilliant canvass of the State, and was elected 
for another term. He then started to rejoin Sher- 
man, but on the way was stricken down with scarlet 
'.ever, and after a most trying siege made his way 
to the front in time to participate in the closing 
:Ecidents of the war 

In 1868 Gen. Harrison declined re-election as 
:eporter, and resumed the practice of law„ In 1876 
oe was a candidate for Governor. Although de- 
eated, the brilliant campaign ht, iiiade won ior him 
,a National reputation, and he was much sought, es- 
pecia'..y in the East, to make speeches. In 1880, 
d,s usual, he took an active part in the campaign, 
pnd WI.S elected to the ^Jnited States Senate. Here 
Cic sei-ved sis years, anc jas known as one o> the 
tbiest men, best lawyer' ^ad stronges*^^ debaters in 



that body. With the expiration of his Senatorial 
term he returned to the practice of his profession, 
becoming the head of one of the strongest firms in 
the State. 

The political campaign of 1888 was one of the 
most memorable in the history of our countr\r. The 
convention which assembled in Chicago in June aui. 
named Mr. Harrison as the chief standard bearer 
of the Republican party, was great in every partic- 
ular, and on this account, and the attitude it as. 
sumed upon the vital questions of the day, chief 
among which was the tariff, awoke a deep interest 
in the campaign throughout the Nation. Shortly 
after the nomination delegations began to visit Mr. 
Harrison at Indianapolis, his home. This move- 
ment became popular, and from all sections of the 
country societies, clubs and delegations journeyed 
thither to paj^ their respects to the distinguished 
statesman. The popularity of these was greatly 
increased on account of the remarkable speeches 
made by Mr. Harrison. He spoke daily all through 
the summer and autumn to these visiting delega- 
tions, and so varied, masterly and eloquent were 
his speeches that they at once placed him in th? 
foremost rank of American orators and statesmen. 

On account of his eloquence as a speaker and h:c 
power as a debater, he was called upon at an un- 
commonly early age to take part in the discussior 
of the great questions that then began to agitate 
the country. He was an uncompromising ant: 
slavery man, and was matched against some or i'^e 
most eminent Democratic speakers of his StaiDv 
No man who felt the touch of his blade der-red tu 
be pitted with him again. "With all his e'oq'-ence 
as an orator he never spoke for oratorical effect, 
but his words always went like bullets to the mark 
He is purely American in his ideas and ic a spier 
did type of the American statesman. Gifted witli 
quick perception, a logical mind and a ready tongue, 
be is one of the most distinguished impromptu 
speakers in the Nation. Many of these speeches 
sparkled with the rarest of eloquence and contained 
arguments of greatest weight. Many of his terse 
statements have already become aphorisms. Origi 
nal in tliought precise in logic, terse in statement, 
yet withal faultless in eloquence, he is recognized as 
the sound statesman and bn.ilan orator o- tuc day 




•H'S^a^l^i'-^- 



Johnson, Poweshiek and 



Iowa Counties 



IOWA 



'"^'~ L f^^"~ 




INTRODUQT^ORY. 






iHE time has arrived when it 
becomes the duty of the 
people of this county to per- 
petuate the names of their 
pioneers, to furnish a record 
of their early settlement, 
and relate the story of their 
progress. The civilization of our 
day, the enlightenment of the age 
and the duty that men of the pres- 
ent time owe to their ancestors, to 
themselves and to their posterity, 
demand that a record of their lives 
and deeds should be made. In bio- 
graphical history is found a power 
to instruct man by precedent, to 
enliven the mental faculties, and 
to waft down the river of time a 
safe vessel in which the names and actions of the 
people who contributed to raise this country from its 
primitive state may be preserved. Surely and rapidly 
the great and aged men, who in their prime entered 
the wilderness and claimed the virgin soil as their 
heritage, are passing to their graves. The number re- 
maining who can relate the incidents of the first days 
of settlement is becoming small indeed, so that an 
actual necessity exists for the collection and preser- 
vation of events without delay, before all the early 
settlers are cut down by the scythe of Time. 

To be forgotten has been the great dread of mankind 
from remotest ages. All will be forgotten soon enough, 
in spite of their best works and the most earnest 
efforts of their friends to perserve the memory of 
their lives. The means employed to prevent oblivion 
and to perpetuate their memory has been in propor- 
tion to the amount of intelligence they possessed. 
Th-; pyramids of Egypt were built to perpetuate the 
names and deeds of their great rulers. The exhu- 
mations made by the archeologists of Egypt from 
V)uried Memphis indicate a desire of those people 



to perpetuate the memory of their achievements. 
The erection of the great obelisks were for the same 
purpose. Coming down to a later period, we find the 
Greeks and Romans erecting mausoleums and monu- 
ments, and carving out statues to chronicle theii 
great achievements and carry them down the ages. 
It is also evident that the Mound-builders, in piling 
up their great mounds of earth, had but this idea — 
to leave something to show that they had lived. All 
tliese works, though many of them costly in the ex- 
treme, give but a faint idea of the lives and charac- 
ters of those whose memory they were intended to 
perpetuate, and scarcely anything of the masses of 
the people that then lived. < The great pyramids and 
some of the obelisks remain objects only of curiosity; 
the mausoleums, monuments and statues are crum- 
bling into dust. 

It was left to modern ages to establish an intelli- 
gent, undecaying, immutable method of perpetuating 
a full history — immutable in that it is almost un- 
limited in extent and perpetual in its action; and 
this is through the art of printing. 

To the present generation, however, we are in- 
debted for the introduction of the admirable system 
of local biography. By this system every man, though 
he has not achieved what the world calls greatness, 
has the means to perpetuate his life, his history, 
through the coming ages. 

The scythe of Time cuts down all ; nothing of the 
physical man is left. The monument which his chil- 
dren or friends may erect to his memory in the ceme. 
tery will crumble into dust and pass away; but his 
life, his achievements, the work he has accomplished, 
which otherwise would be forgotten, is perpetuated 
by a record of this kind. 

To preserve the lineaments of our companions we 
engrave their portraits, for the same reason we col- 
lect the attainable facts of their history. Nor do we 
think it necessary, as we speak only truth of tliem, to 
wait until they are dead, or until those who know 
them are gone: to do this we are ashamed only to 
publish to the world the liistory of those whose live? 
are unworthy of public record. 




o 



^r^ 



■~'*^ 














G 



1 OV. SAMUEL J. KI RK WOOD. In the year 
i— -, 1 73 1 there was brought to this country from 
^^^jjj the North of Ireland by his widowed 
mother a lad of three years, Robert Kirkwood. The 
mother settled in New Castle, Del., where this son 
grew to man's estate and became the father of five 
sons and one daughter, the youngest of the sons, 
Jabez, being the father of Samuel Jordon Kirk- 
wood, the subject of this sketch. Capt. Robert 
Kirkwood, a cousin of the aforesaid Robert, was a 
valiant soldier in the Revolution. He was suc- 
cessively in the battles of Long Island, Trenton, 
Camden, Eutaw Springs, Ninety-six and Hobkirk's 
Hill. The regiment to which he belonged was so 
badly reduced in the latter battle, that only enough 
for one company was left when it was re-organized 
as a single company and its command given to 
Capt. Kirkwood. For his valor and meritorious 
services, he was advanced by Gen. Washington 
from a captaincy to the offlce of Brigadier-Gen- 
eral, without filling any intervening office. He 
was killed in the battle between St. Clair's troops 
and the Indians on the Wabash in 1791, in a 
bayonet charge against the enemy. 

Jabez Kirkwood was born in Harford County, 
Md., in the year 1776, and he married for his 
second wife a widow, Mrs. Wallace, whose maiden 
name was Mary Alexander, and who was born in 
Scotland. One of the fruits of this second mar- 



riage was Samuel Jordon, wlio was born in Har- 
ford County, Md., December 20, 1813. His father 
was both a farmer and a blacksmith, and, like most 
of the Kirk woods of that time, was a man of more 
than ordinary ability, and took a leading and ac- 
tive part in affairs of both church and State. 

Samuel's education was begun at a veiy early 
age, as there was a log schoolhouse on his father's 
farm, and so apt was he, that he can not remember 
when he could not repeat the whole multiplication 
table and he was always in advance of scholars of his 
own age. At the age of ten he went to Washing- 
ton City and entered a school kept by John Mc- 
Leod, in which his half-brotiier, Robert, an excel- 
lent classical scholar, was an assistant teacher. 
After spending four years in this school he entered 
a drug store as clerk, and a year afterward, at the 
age of seventeen, went to Pennsylvania, and en- 
gaged in school teaching. At the close of several 
terms of teacliing he returned to Washington, and 
spent two years as clerk in the drug store of his 
brother Wallace. Then returning home, lie spent 
a year in completing his classical studies. 

In 1835, when he was twenty-one years of age, 
his father removed to Richland County, Ohio, and 
there opened a farm in the wilderness. Samuel 
working on the farm and subduing the forests in 
the summer and teaching school in the winter. In 
the year 1840, as Deputy Assessor, he did the 



118 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



work of assessing thirteen townships in the county. 
Then he engaged for a year as clerk in a store 
and tavern, kept by his principal. Relinquishing 
this in 1841. at the age of twentj'-eight, he went 
to Mansfield, entered the law oflice of T. W. Bart- 
ley, and commenced a two-years study of the law, 
being afterward admitted to the Bar. He here 
spent twelve years in practice, being in 1850 elected 
a member of the Constitutional Convention to re- 
vise the constitution of Ohio. In the delibera- 
tions of this body he took an active part, and 
though it was composed of many of the ablest 
men Ohio then possessed, he took a prominent 
position among them. During his law practice, he 
was engaged in an important murder trial, in which 
were emploj'ed as opposing counsel Thomas Ewing 
and Columbus Delano, and these three men were 
afterward in Presidential Cabinets as Secretaries of 
the Interior. 

In 1855, Mr. Kirkwood abandoned the practice of 
law, bade good-bye to Ohio, and joined the then 
surging throngs that in vast numbers were seeking 
new homes on the fertile soil and in the genial 
clime of Iowa. On the 27th of December, 1843, 
he was married to Jane Clark, whose father, Icha- 
bod Clark, with his wife, settled in Ohio in the 
year 1811, being among the very early pioneers. 
On Mr. Kirkwood 's arriv.al in Iowa City, he en- 
tered into partnership with his brother-in-law, 
Hon. Ezekiel Clark, and engaged in the farming, 
milling and merchandise business, they owning a 
farm of twelve hundred acres, and a large grist 
and flouring mill at Conelville, on the Iowa River, 
a couple of miles above Iowa City, while their 
store was located in the city. 

Though in earl}' j'ears a Democrat, the repeal of 
the Missouri Compromise and accompanying leg- 
islation drove Mr. Kirkwood out of that party, 
and though avoiding rather than seeking political 
preferment, the Republicans of the Senatorial Dis- 
trict composed of Johnson and Iowa Counties in 
1856 sent him to the State Senate for a term of 
two years, and soon after its close, in 1859, he was 
nominated by the Republicans for Governor. ' He 
made a canvass of the State with his competitor. 
Hon. A. C. Dodge, in one of the most memorable 
political conflicts ever held in the State, they both 



alternately addressing the same audiences from the 
same rostrum. Mr. Kirkwood was elected by three 
thousand majority. 

During his first year as Governor, he had a con- 
troversy with Gov. Letcher, of Virginia, in regard 
to the return to that State of Barclay Coppoc, one 
of John Brown's men engaged in the raid on 
Harper's Ferrj-. The requisition was defective 
and Coppoc was not returned. During the second 
year of his first term, the war broke out, and from 
that time until the close of his second term as 
Governor, he was the busiest and hardest worked 
man in the State of Iowa. 

When the call was made on him for a regiment 
of men for United States service, they had in the 
State comparatively no complete military organi- 
zation (a few companies only), no arms, no funds, 
and but little credit. He went to the State banks 
and on his own individual responsibilit\- borrowed 
money by the tens of thousands of dollars to 
raise arms and equip the troops, and before the 
close of his second term raised and sent to the 
front without draft all the troops called for. 
No man ever looked after the welfare of his own 
children with more interest and untiring zeal than 
did he after the welfare of the Iowa soldiers, from 
the time they were mustered into the service until 
they were mustered out and returned to their 
homes. Mr. Kirkwood was one of the body of 
loyal governors that held a consultation at Al- 
toona, in Pennsylvania, in September, 1862, to 
consult in regard to a more vigorous prosecution 
of the war, and these governors presented their 
views to the President, visiting him in person. 
Gov. Kirkwood being one of the speakers on that 
occasion. 

Before the close of the second gubernatorial 
term he was offered the position of Minister of 
Denmark by President Lincoln, and though he at 
first hesitated to accept it, the appointment was 
held several months for his acceptance, when, ow- 
ing to the pressure of other duties, he finally de- 
clined it. In 1866 he was elected to fill the unex- 
pired term of Senator Harlan in the United States 
Senate. Soon after the expiration of his term in 
the Senate he was elected to the Presidencj' of the 
leading bank in Iowa City, and when the Iowa 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



119 



City National Bank was organized he became its 
President and held the office for several years. 

In 1875, Mr. Kiriiwood was again elected Gov- 
ernor of the vState, by a majority of over thirty 
thousand. As he was the first one to be elected to 
this office a second time, so he was the only one to 
be elected to it a third time. Before the close of 
this terra he was re-elected to a seat in the United 
States Senate. On the 21st of June, 1879, he made 
in the Senate a speech on the Army Appropriation 
Bill, in wliich he discussed the relative powers of 
the States and the General Government. This 
speech received the commendation of members of 
both parties in tlie Senate, and was favorabl}' com- 
mented upon by tlie leading papers of the country, 
and especially by the New York Tribune. In no 
speech ever made in the Senate was this question 
more ably discussed, or the relations of the States 
to the General Government more clearly stated 
and delineated than in this one. During the po- 
litical canvass of 1880, Gov. Kirkwood spent some 
weeks speaking at different places in Indiana, in 
company with Judge C. C. Nourse, of Des Moines, 
and their efforts contributed much to the result of 
the election in that State. 

In forming his Cabinet, President Garfield gave 
Gov. Kirkwood the position of Secretary of the 
Interior, and he held it until the April succeeding 
the President's deatli, when he resigned and re- 
tired from official and political life, but was re- 
called to lead a forlorn hope in the race for Con- 
gress on the Republican ticket in 1886, when there 
were two other candidates. Democratic and Union 
Labor, in the field, and in which the Democrat, 
Judge Hayes, was elected. 

The Governor has always been a great friend to 
both common-school and higher education, having 
served many years on the School Board of his own 
township, on the Board of Regents of tlie State 
University, and as one of the Trustees of the Ag- 
ricultural College. He never shirked any public 
duty which the people called upon him to perform, 
filling even the humble office of Road Supervisor 
in his road district, after serving in the United 
States Senate. 

Perhaps the ))roudest and hai)piest time of the 
Governor's life was when on one of the balmy 



days of last September, a partj^ of some thirty of his 
old friends and former associates, of both parties 
in political and official life, including judges and 
ex-judges of the Supreme and District Courts, 
ex-Governors, ex-members of Congress, ex-State 
officers, ex-army officers and others, made him a call 
and spent a social afternoon in his house and on his 
lawn, and when a score or more of his friends sent 
their regrets at not being able to be present. No 
event could have happened that would have 
shown more emphatically the esteem in wliieli he 
is held in his declining years than this. 

Gov. Kirkwood is an American prince of the 
royal blood, and whether in the overalls of the 
rustic farmer, the dust}' coat of the country miller, 
filling the office of Governor, sitting in the Un- 
ited States Senate, or performing the duties of 
Cabinet Minister, he has always belonged to the 
nobility of American manhood. 



=^>-^^<^ 



VIVATSON HOLMES. In days gone by the 
I subject of this sketch, who is a man of 
'j great energy, perseverance and determina- 
tion, did as much to advance the reputation which 
Johnson County enjoys as a prosperous farming 
communit}' as any man within its borders. As he 
was careful and painstaking in the cultivation of 
his land, shrewd and far-seeing in his business 
ventures, he amassed a comfortable competenc}', 
which he has the satisfaction of knowing was ob- 
tained by honorable business methods, as well as 
by his own undeviating industi}-. A Canadian by 
birth, he was born near Montreal February 19, 
1855, being the eldest member and the only son in 
a family of five children born to his parents, Rob- 
ert and Rebecca (Mahan) Holmes, the former of 
whom died when the subject of this sketch was 
but two years of age. Soon after this lamenta()le 
event the widow with her family removed to the 
United States, arriving in Iowa City in 1858, 
where she made her home for a few years, after 
which she removed to a farm in Pleasant Valley 



120 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Township, consisting of about twenty-three acres. 
Here she bravely labored and reared her family, 
and here she is still residing at the age of sixty 
years. Her other children were Jane E., wife 
of A. J. Morford, an ex-soldier of the Civil War; 
Isabella, widow of W. W. Emmons; Cresela, who 
died when young; and Caroline, who died after 
her marriage. 

Watson, the only son, passed his boyhood on 
the farm in Johnson County, and up to tlie age of 
fifteen years was an attendant at the district 
schools of Pleasant Valley Township, during which 
time he showed good mental capacity and became 
a veiy good scholar. He then began working out 
by the month on a farm, his time being thus em- 
ployed until he was twenty 3'ears of age, when he 
decided to become the head of a home of his own, 
and he was married to Miss Jennie Loan, of Pleas- 
ant Valley Township, she being a daughter of Will- 
iam H. and Mary Jane (Emmons) Loan, who were 
among the early and prominent settlers of that 
section, and were thrifty and progressive tillers of 
the soil. Soon after the celebration of his nuptials 
Mr. Holmes purchased a farm of his own in Pleas- 
ant Valley Township, consisting of forty acres of 
improved land, but to one of his ambitious and ener- 
getic temperament this was not a sufficient amount 
of land to satisfy him, and he shortly after added 
fifty acres to his original purchase. After residing 
on this farm for five years and greatly improving 
it in many ways, he sold it and bought another tract 
of one hundred and sixty acres, to which he after- 
ward added one hundred and twenty acres, and he 
now has an excellent farm of two hundred and 
eighty acres, which land is well adapted for the 
purpose of general farming, to which it has always 
been given. Stock-raising has received a by no 
means small share of his attention, and he always 
took great pridein having a good class of animals 
about him; prior to his removal to Iowa City to 
make his home in 1890, he disposed of a large 
number of animals at a fair profit. He still owns 
his farm, which he rents, and has a very pleasant 
and comfortable residence in the city at No. 508 
South Dubuque Street, where he expects to spend 
some years in order to educate his children, and 
perhaps will spend the remainder of his days here. 



His family consists of four children: Walter M., 
Emery Otis, lona B. and O. D. The revenue 
which Mr. Holmes receives from the proceeds of 
his farm is amply sufficient for his wants, and he 
and his family are surrounded not only with all 
necessary comforts, but with many of the luxuries 
of life. In his political views he has alwaj's been 
a Republican, and socially is connected with Kos- 
ciusko Lodge No. 6, I. O. O.F., of which he is an 
honored member. 



\^^- 



"S^, R. J. B. CARDER. The medical science is 
the mostimportant one bearing upon man's 
happiness, comfort and welfare, and Dr. 
Carder is recognized throughout Johnson 
County as a friend of and laborer in the cause 
and advancement of the medical fraternity. For 
the past seventeen years he has trodden the arduous 
paths of his profession, and being of a sympa- 
thetic and cheerful disposition, his presence alone 
in a sick room is enough to inspire his patient with 
hope and courage, and naturally aid materially in 
his convalescence. Dr. Carder was born in 
Athens Countj', Ohio, near the city of Athens, 
February 14, 1851, his parents being Henry and 
Fanny (Kellogg) Carder, the former of whom was 
born in Hartford, and the latter in New Haven, 
Conn. Henry Carder was a contractor, builder 
and farmer, and died at the advanced age of eigh- 
ty-seven years, October 4, 1891, at Garden Grove, 
Decatur County, Iowa, his wife's death having oc- 
curred December 8, 1866. The Carders were of 
Welsh ancestry. 

Dr. J. B. Carder was but four years of age when 
he was taken by his parents to Knoxville, Marion 
County, Iowa, in which section his youthful days 
were spent in working on his father's farm and in 
attending the district schools, where he secured a 
good education. At the age of fifteen years he 
matriculated at Central University at Pella, Iowa, 
which institution he attended for some time, also 
teaching at Garden Grove and elsewhere. In or- 



POfeTEATT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



121 



der to complete his education, he entered the State 
University of Iowa, at Iowa City, which institu- 
tion he attended up to 1873, when he entered 
upon the study of medicine in the office of Dr. 
J. C. Shrader, Dean of tlie medical department of 
the State University of Iowa, and after two j-ears' 
attendance, graduated from that institution as an 
M. D. He next became a student in the Long Is- 
land Hospital College, from which lie graduated, 
June 22, 1876. Immediatel}' following this, he 
went to Garden Grove, Iowa, his old home, where, 
during the two years of his practice, he won an 
excellent reputation as a phj'sician of ability and 
skill. His next location was at Brooklj'n, Iowa, 
where he continued the arduous duties of his call- 
ing with his usual success for a period of thir- 
teen years, his patrons being among the best people 
of that section, and his practice was so extensive 
as to demand his attention almost day and night. 
Not only did he become well known as .an exception- 
ally successful practitioner, but he was considered 
a progressive and public-spirited citizen, whose 
efforts were at all times directed toward the good 
of his section. 

On the 1st of June, 1892, he became a resident of 
Iowa City, soon after which he associated himself 
in the practice of his profession with his father-in- 
law and former preceptor. Dr. J. C. Shrader, and 
has already won a favorable reputation in that 
city, noted for its intelligent and successful practi- 
tioners. Dr. Carder has been a close student in his 
chosen profession, is a genial and generous gentle- 
man, liberal in his ideas, a protector of the rights of, 
and in deep sympathy with, humanity. His prac- 
tice has always yielded him a comfortable living, 
and he is reaping the reward of seventeen >'ears 
honorabl}' spent in the cause of humanity. He is 
a member of the State Medical Society of Iowa, 
also the Johnson County Medical Society, and so- 
cially belongs to Eureka Lodge No. 44, I. O. O. P., 
and the Knights of Pythias. 

September 12, 1878, our subject married Miss 
Lucy Adelia Shrader, daughter of Dr. J. C. 
Shrader, her education having been obtained in 
the public schools of Iowa City and in the State 
University. Four children have been born of this 
union, three daughters and one son: Helen, Clin- 



ton, Florence and Ada. Dr. and Mrs. Carder 
have their residence at No. 706 College Street, and 
are considered acquisitions to the social circles in 
which they move. Politically, Dr. Carder is iden- 
tified with the Democratic party. 



;il MLLIAM A. MORE 
\/\/// ^^^ enterprising 
\^^ City, carries in hii 



.ILLIAM A. MORRISON, numbered among 
business men of Iowa 
is fine drug store a well- 
assorted and extensive stock of drugs, stationery 
and general supplies. He was born in Tazewell 
County, 111., March 10, 1838, his father being 
John H. Morrison, a native of Pennsylvania, and 
an official for twenty-four years in Tazewell 
County. He was an old-line Whig and was of 
Irish descent, his grandfather, James Morrison, 
having emigrated to the United States from the 
Emerald Isle. Our subject's mother, who bore the 
maiden name of Isabel W. Dickey, was born in 
Franklin County, Pa., and by her marriage be- 
came the mother of seven children, of whom our 
subject is the fifth in order of birth. 

Up to the age of sixteen years William A. Mor- 
rison attended the common schools of the neigh- 
borhood and remained with his parents, lending 
his assistance in carrying on the farm. He then 
removed with his parents to Marshalltown, Iowa, 
where he resided for two years, and later lived for 
the same length of time in Missouri. Returning 
to this State he located in Johnson County with 
his father, who died in 1870. Nine years later his 
mother was called to her final rest, and soon after, 
in company with his brothers James and Craw- 
ford, our subject commenced business in Iowa 
City. At the end of several j'cars he purchased 
his brothers' interest and has since continued in 
business alone in his fine location on the corner 
of Washington and Dubuque Streets. He has a 
good prescription business, as well as a general 
trade in druggists' sundries. He is Vice-President 
of the Iowa City State Bank. 

In 1863, Mr. Morrison married Miss Elizabeth 



122 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Fanny Jones, of Burlington, Iowa, who is a 
daugliter of Wesley- Jones, a proniiaent merchant 
in tliat city. The home of our worthy subject and 
wife has been blessed with four children, namely: 
Wesley Jones, who is a graduate of the medical 
department of the State University of Iowa; Cora 
B., who resides at home; Samuel T. and William 
T., who are attending school. The children have 
been given every advantage in an educational 
way and are briglit, intelligent members of so- 
ciety. In his political affiliations our subject is a 
stanch Democrat and served for four years as Al- 
derman from the Fourth Ward and for the term 
of 1880-81 was the efficient Mayor of the city. 
Mr. Morrison is much interested in civic societies, 
holding membership with Iowa City Lodge No. 4, 
A. F. & A. M., with Royal Arch Masons, and with 
Palestine Comniandery No. 2, K. T. With his 
worthy wife and family our subject holds mem- 
bership with the Episcopal Church, in the work of 
which they are active. The pleasant home of the 
family is located on the southeast corner of Bur- 
lington and Gilbert Streets, and there hospitality 
reigns, for it is their special delight to en- 
tertain their hosts of warm friends and acquaint- 
ances, whom they have endeared by their friendly 
and frank cordiality and other excellent qualities. 



1-^+^1 



'il? EWIS LINEBARGER is President of the 
I {© Oxford State Bank, which is now one of 
jj' — ^\ the solid financial institutions of the State. 
They do an extensive general banking business 
in this and adjoining counties, and have won 
a place among the foremost enterprises of the 
county. Our subject was born at Joliet, 111., on 
the 5th of October, 1838, his parents being Henry 
and Nancy (Hougham) Linebarger. The former 
was born in North Carolina in 1809, his father, 
who bore the Christian name of John, being of 
Gerraau extraction, but, it is believed, a native of 
the Keystone State. The exact date when the 
progenitor of the family in America left the 



Fatherland is not known, but it is probable that 
the great-grandfather of our subject has the honor 
of being the aforesaid progenitor. 

Henry Linebarger emigrated from North Caro- 
lina to Indiana at an early day, and in that State 
was married about the year 1830. His wife was a 
native of Butler Count}-, Ohio, her birth having 
occurred in 1811. Her father was of English ex- 
traction but was born in the United States. Soon 
after his marriage Mr. Linebarger went to Illinois, 
where he took up Government land, on which 
farm our subject was born some eight }'ears later. 
He is the fourth of a family of six children and 
the third son. The family circle is still unbroken 
and all of the brothers and sisters occupy positions 
of respect and esteem in the community where 
they make their homes. Andrew Jackson is a 
farmer in Illinois; Jonathan H. is engaged in 
agricultural pursuits in Wright Count}', Iowa; 
Henry is a grain dealer at Stanford, 111.; Mary is 
the wife of John Hemphill, a farmer in Illinois; 
and Eliza E. is the widow of James Petteys, and 
resides in Hyde County, S. Dak. 

Our subject received but a limited education, as 
his services were required from an early age in as- 
sisting his father in carrying on his farm. He en- 
gaged in .agricultural pursuits until the breaking 
out of the late war, when, on the 12th of July, 
1862, he donned the blue, becoming a member of 
Company B, One Hundredth Illinois Infantry, as 
a private soldier. He was soon promoted to the 
rank of Orderlj'-Sergeant, and was first engaged in 
battle at Perrj'ville, from where he went to 
Nashville, later participating in the battle of Stone 
River. Then crossing the Cumberland Mountains, 
he took part in the battle of Chickamauga, where 
on the first day of the engagement, September 19, 
he was struck in the neck by a rebel bullet. Until 
the following day he was unnoticed and uncared 
for, lying in the woods where he had fallen. Sum- 
moning his remaining strength and all his will 
power, he started on foot for Chatt.anooga, was 
sent to the hospital at Nashville, and was soon 
granted a thirty-days furlough, at the expiration 
of which time he rejoined his regiment at Knox- 
ville, Tenn., and soon after at Athens, Ga., was 
discharged by a special order of the AVar Depart- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD, 



123 



ment. He was a brave and faithful defender of 
his country's institutions and rights, and may be 
well proud of his record of loyal service in lier 
defense. 

On leaving his regiment Mr. Linebarger re- 
turned to his farm, which he engaged in cultivat- 
ing until 1870, when he embarked in the grain 
business in various places in Illinois and also in 
St. Louis. In 1883, he established the Oxford 
Bank as a private institution, and sent his son 
Henry N. here to act as its Cashier In 1886, he 
came to this point and engaged in buying and 
selling grain in connection with his banking inter- 
ests. He later gave up everything except the 
latter enterprise, and in 1891, his bank having been 
incorporated, he was elected President and his son, 
Henry N., was elected Cashier of the institution. 
Since tliat time the3' have both given themselves 
fully to its management, and are prospering be- 
jond their expectations. 

In 1800, Mr. Linebarger married Miss Mary A. 
Noel, who was bom in Ohio, but early emigrated 
to Illinois with her parents. To our subject and 
his amiable wife two children have been born, a 
son and daughter. .Sarah L., who is the wife of A. 
A. Wright, a well-known merchant of DeKalb, III., 
and has a son, Raymond L.; and Henr^' Nor- 
wood, who, as before mentioned, is the Cashier of 
the Oxford Bank. He was born May 19, 1865, 
was educated at the Normal School at Normal, 
111., and graduated in the Commercial College at 
Bloomington in the Class of '83, after which he 
was at once made Cashier of his father's bank, a 
position he is well adapted to fill. He is a very 
pleasant and agreeable young man, one who num- 
bers many friends in this locality, and is moreover 
a thorough business man and a capable banker. He 
was married March 31, 1886, to Miss Martha I. 
McCleery, one of Oxford's most estimable young 
ladies. They have a bright little daughter of five 
years called Ruth. 

Mr. Linebarger, Sr., has been called upon by his 
fellow-citizens to fill various positions of respon- 
sibility and trust, in each of winch offices he has 
proven himself to be thoroughly efficient, capable 
and faithful to their best interests. He has been Jus- 
tice of the Peace, a member of the City Council, 



City Clerk, and one of the School Board. Both 
father and son are stanch Democrats and are -also 
both members of the Masonic fraternitv. 



G 



EN. L. F. ROSS, the subject of our sketch, 
g— , is a distinguished citizen of Johnson 
^ Count3', Iowa, whose services to his coun- 
try in its time of greatest peril entitle him to 
the gratitude of every patriot. He is the pro- 
prietor of Mt. Prospect Farm, on section 23, in 
East Lucas Township, and was born at Lewistown, 
Fulton County, 111., July 18, 1823, being the 
son of O. M. Ross, a native of Dutchess County, 
N. Y. The latter was a merchant, farmer and 
slockdealer, and the son of Joseph Ross, a native 
of Dutcliess County, who was the son of Zebulon 
Ross, a native of Scotland, who came to America 
in 1706, and located in the county in which his 
son and grandson were born. 

The mother of our subject, Mary (AVinans) Ross, 
was a native of Elizabeth, N. J., of German and 
Welsh descent. She was married to the father of 
our subject in AVestern New York, and the newly- 
married couple located near Penn Yan, Yates 
Count}', N. Y.,the father dying in Mason County, 
111., in 1837, and the mother dying in 1875. The 
father was a stanch Whig and gave Clay an 
ardent support in 1832. He was also an upright 
Mason and quite prominent in the councils of the 
mystical order. He and his wife were the parents 
of twelve children, six of whom grew to maturity-, 
all living to be upward of sixty, and four are yet 
living. 

Gen. Ross is the fifth of the six children re- 
ferred to. He was reared in his native county, re- 
ceived his first instruction in a log schoolhouse, 
and afterward at home from a teacher employed 
by his father, closing it with a j'ear in the college 
at Jacksonville. He began the battle of life for 
himself at the age of nineteen, beginning with 
the management of the real estate inherited from 
his father. Two years later he began the reading 



124 



POilTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAl, RECORD. 



of law in the ofHce of Davidson & Kellogg, at 
Canton, 111., pursuing his studies one year, at the 
same time attending to his regular business. 

Our subject was married at Lewistown, Fulton 
County, 111., to Catherine .Simms, a native of 
Virginia, who bore him seven c-hildren, namely: 
Leonard, deceased; Joseph, of Avon, 111.; Mary, 
who died at the age of four years; Ralph, who died 
at the age of eighteen months; Charles, of Mar- 
shall County, Iowa; P^mma, deceased; and Adele, 
of Chicago. His first wife dying, our subject 
married in 1865 Mary Warren, a native of Ver- 
mont, who bore him four cliildren, naraelj': Cora, 
wife of Charles W. Clark, of Langdon, N. Dak.; 
Frank, at home; Willis, of Portland, Ore.; and 
Ossian, of Minneapolis. 

(Ten. Ross located at Vermont, 111., in 1845, and 
engaged in the practice of law. He enlisted in 
Company K, Fourth Illinois Infantry, for service 
in the Mexican War, and entered as a private, 
but was elected First Lieutenant within six weeks, 
and served with that rank the whole term of 
service. He took part in the capture of Vera 
Cruz and Cerro Gordo, being in command of the 
company in both engagements. Returning to Ver- 
mont, 111., his home, in 1847, he was elected Pro- 
bate Judge in 1849, and six weeks after was 
elected County Clerk in Fulton County, serving 
four years, during which time he was engaged in 
farming and merchandising. He was also a Di- 
rector of the P. & H. R. R., now a part of the Chi- 
cago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad system. 

During the years from 1853 onward to 1861 he 
was engaged in farming and merchandising, and 
served as Police Justice of his native village. In 
Aprd, 1861, he organized Company H, Seven- 
teenth Illinois Infantry, and went into camp at 
Peoria Ma3- 10, 1861. He was made Colonel of the 
regiment May 25, when it was organized, and re- 
mained with the command until April, 1862, when 
he was promoted to the rank of Brigadier-Gen- 
eral of United States Volunteers, and served until 
August, 1863, when he resigned. Most of the 
time he was in command of some post, being in 
charge at Bolivar, Tenn., about four months, and 
at Helena, Ark., about the same length of time, and 
was in the latter place when he resigned and re- 



turned home. The death of his wife was one of 
the causes of his leaving the army, although he 
really thought the war was about over, the fall of 
A'icksburg having occurred the month before. 

LTpon his return home our subject resumed his 
business as a farmer, and in the spring of 1865 re- 
moved to Avon, 111., where he remained until 1882. 
While there he was appointed Collector of Inter- 
nal Revenue for the Ninth District, which office 
he held from 1867 to 1869. He was candidate for 
Congress in 1868 from the Ninth District; was 
Supervisor of the township, and held other town- 
ship offices. Gen. Ross came to Johnson County 
in 1882, settling first in Iowa City, and bought a 
farm on the west side of the river, two miles 
from the city. 

In the year 1884 our subject bought the Mt. 
Prospect Farm, one mile east of Iowa City, his 
chief business since that time being the buying 
and raising of thoroughbred cattle. He is Presi- 
dent of the Red Polled Cattle Club of America, 
and was its Treasurer in the first year of its ex- 
istence. Our subject has one hundred and forty- 
two acres of land in his farm. He has retired 
from business, except that named, and spends his 
winters in California. He is a member of the Odd 
Fellows' lodge, the Sons of Temperance, and of 
the Grand Army post. 



eHARLES PRATT, a retired farmer now re- 
siding in Iowa City, Iowa, is possessed of 
those advanced ideas regarding agricultural 
life which do, without doubt, eventually win 
their possessor fame and fortune. In the manage- 
ment of his estate he displayed those sterling prin- 
ciples characteristic of those who owe their na- 
tivity to the State of Maine, of which industry 
and wise, judicious management were among the 
chief. He was born in what was then Kennebec, 
but is now Franklin County, Me., February 23, 
1828, but his father. Cotton T. Pratt, was born in 
the Bay State and devoted his life to the calling 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



125 



of a merchant. The name of the latter's father was 
Robert FratL The mother of the subject of this 
sketch was Fanny (Averill) Pratt, a native of the 
Pine Tree State. In 1835 Cotton T. Pratt moved 
to Ohio with his family, and made a location in 
Cuyahoga County, but after a residence of five 
years became dissatisfied with that location and 
came to what was then considered the far West, 
taking up his residence on a farm in Johnson 
Countj', Iowa, the death of the head of the family 
occurring three days after their arrival. On the 
farm in Big Grove Townsliip the widowed motlier 
resided with her children, which place continued 
to be her home and the object of her hopes and 
ambitions until her death, in the year 1879, at the 
age of eighty-three years. Her family consisted 
of seven children, six of whom lived to mature 
years: Julia A., David A., Charles, A. W. and Re- 
becca M., Susanna A. and Greenleaf W. (triplets), 
the last-named being deceased. 

Charles Pratt was the third of the family, and 
at tiie time of his parents' removal to Johnson 
Count3', Iowa, he was twelve years of age and can 
well remember many of the incidents connected 
with the journey thither. He dutifully remained 
with and assisted his mother until he was twenty 
years of age, in the meantime attending the dis- 
trict schools during the winter months, when his 
services could be spared from the farm. By these 
means he obtained an education calculated to be 
of material benefit to him in his walk through life. 
He completed his studies in a private school in 
Iowa City. In 1849 he was taken with a severe case 
of "gold fever," and in company with a number 
of others started on a long and toilsome overland 
journey with ox-teams for the Golden Gate, 
which they reached about six months after start- 
ing. Mr. Pratt remained in California engaged 
in gold-mining and farming until the winter of 
1853, being fairly successful in the accumulation 
of means. He later returned to Johnson County, 
Iowa, and turned his attention to general mer- 
chandising, which business he carried on for several 
years. He then purchased a farm of two hundred 
and ninety acres, on which he at once settled, and 
added to it from time to time until he was the 
owner of four hundred and seventy acres of as fine 



farming land as there is in the county. Much at- 
tention was given to stock raising, principally cat- 
tle and hogs, but he also handled Merino sheep for 
some years He has been a resident of the city 
since Marcii, 1891, and is the owner of an excellent 
residence at No. 128 Bloomington Street, where he 
enj03-s the delights of a cozy and well-appointed 
home. He was united in marriage, on the 19th 
of October, 1858, to Miss Anna N. True, of 
Cedar Township, a daughter of James K. and 
Martha F. (Baker) True. Mrs. Pratt was born in 
Maine, and to her union with Mr. Pratt the fol- 
lowing children have been given: AVillie T., a 
farmer; Melville E., a resident of Nebraska; Lulu 
A., at home; and Chester, who is still in school. 
Mr. Pratt has always been a Republican in politics, 
but has never aspired to political preferment, 
the turmoil of a political life having no charms 
for him. His wife has been a resident of Johnson 
County since 1858. Her father died herein 1888, 
at the age of eighty-seven years, her mother being 
now eighty-two years of age. Mr. Pratt lias al- 
ways been a careful man of business and has made 
a success of almost everything to which he has 
turned his attention. He has always been upright 
in the conduct of his affairs and he is now liv- 
ing retired from the active business of life. 



'jff AMES GRANT GILCHRIST, A. M., M. D., 
I Professor of Surgery and Surgical Gj'ne- 
,^^ , cology in the homeopathic department of 
^f^^/J the Iowa State University, has long been a 
noted man in his profession, and is also the 
author of several valuable works on various sub- 
jects. He has written six volumes on the subject 
of medicine, three on military tactics, and two his- 
torical books. He is posssessed of unusual talent 
and wide learning, being a man of clear discern- 
ment and good judgment. 

Dr. Gilchrist was born in New York City on 
the 28th of April, 1842, and is a son of AVilliam 
AV. and Ridelia Ann (Cox) Gilchrist. The former. 



126 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



a native of the Empire State, was a noted phy- 
sician, and in later life located in Toronto, Can- 
ada, in which city his death occurred in tlie year 
1872. He was of Scotch descent on both sides of 
the family. Ills wife, who was also born in New 
York State, was a daughter of Jacob D. Cox, and 
of English descent. Our subject passed his boy- 
hood in the State where he was born, aud there 
continued in the public schools until reaching the 
age of fourteen years. At that time, being of a 
restless disposition and desiring to see more of tlie 
world, he embarked on a merchant vessel, sailing 
upon the high seas for several years. In 1860 the 
Doctor began the study of medicine in Phila- 
delphia, at the Homeopathic College of Pennsji- 
vania, where he did not long remain, however, as 
the war clouds were gathering thickly upon the 
horizon day by daj', and he felt moved by his pa- 
triotic impulses to come to the defense of the 
Union. In the early part of 1861 he enlisted in 
the Eighteenth Pennsylvania Regiment, and was 
in the service until 1863, when he received an 
honorable discharge. 

In March, 186.3, Dr. Gilclirist received the de- 
gree of Doctor of Medicine, and, as the services of 
surgeons and physicians were in great demand dur- 
ing those terrible days of bloodshed and carnage, 
ke took the position of Surgeon in the Fortieth 
Pennsylvania Regiment. The same year he was 
commissioned Second Lieutenant of the Two Hun- 
dred and Sixteenth Pennsylvania Regiment, which 
was not mustered in, and was released on account of 
the quota of men in the regiment being full. Leav- 
ing the army. Dr. Gilchrist then began practice in 
Phll.adelphia, and there continued in business for 
two years, at the end of which time he located in 
Muncie, in the same Stale, and at that place re- 
mained until 1875, when he removed to Detroit, 
Mich., and was Surgeon from 1876 to 1879 in the 
State University of Ann Arbor, making Detroit his 
place of residence. In 1884 Dr. Gilchrist came 
to Iowa City, accepting the Chair of Surgery in 
the University, which position he still holds. 
When in Michigan he was placed on special duty, 
and was later Colonel of the Third Regiment of 
Iowa National Guards, having been recently placed 
on the retired list. 



In June, 1863, the Doctor was united in mar- 
riage with Miss Ann E. Thomas, of Philadelphia, 
who is a daughter of William Thomas, of that 
city. Dr. and Mrs. Gilchrist are the parents of 
five living children. Since their residence in this 
city the Gilchrist family have moved in the 
best circles of the city, and have made a host of 
friends, who hold them in the highest regard. 
Our subject has ever made it his chief aim to 
keep thoroughly posted in everything pertaining 
to the practice of surgery and medicine, and is 
held to be one of the foremost of his medical 
brethren. 



ON. E. E. ALVERSON. This gentleman is 
the efficient Mayor of Marengo, Iowa, and 
in addition to discharging the responsible 
'if(§)) duties of this position, he is engaged in the 
practice of law, for which he seems to have a 
special adaptability, for in its practice he has 
shown a high degree of learning and proficiency. 
His reputation and record are first-class for integ- 
rity and trustworthiness in all matters intrusted 
to him; he is careful and painstaking in all plead- 
ings and court proceedings, and for clearness and 
accuracy of all legal instruments drawn by him 
he ranks high in his profession. 

Our subject was born in Prairieville, Barry 
County, Mich.. August 10, 1849, son of Dr. Laban 
and Charlotte (Graves) Alverson, both of whom 
were born in the State of New York, the former in 
Genesee County. He was a practitioner of the heal- 
ing art in Barry Count}^ Mich., until 1857, when 
he came with his family to Iowa and settled at 
Marengo. Here he at once opened an office and 
continued his calling until 1873, when he went to 
California, in which State he practiced until his 
death in the year 1879, being at the time an earnest 
member of the Presbyterian Church. His wife 
died at Marengo, in 1866. The paternal grand- 
father, Stephen Alverson, was of Scotch-Irish de- 



Portrait and biographical record. 



127 



scent, and became a resident of America during 
the eighteenlli century. 

To Dr. Laban and Mrs. Alverson, a family of 
twelve children was born, nine of whom lived to 
attain manhood and womanhood, but only eight 
are living at the present time. E. C. Alverson, one 
of the members of this family, was a very promi- 
nent and popular citizen of Marengo, where he 
was for twenty years engaged in the drug business, 
and became well known as one of the leading busi- 
ness men of the place. He died September 25, 
1890, his death being a source of much regret to 
all who knew him. David, another member, 
served in the Union array during the Civil War, 
being a member of Company G, Seventh Iowa In- 
fantry'. He efHciently filled the position of Sher- 
iff of Iowa County two terms, and is now a drug- 
gist in the State of Washington. 

E. E. Alverson was the eighth child born to his 
parents, and until eight jears of age was a resident 
of Michigan. At that time he entered the public 
schools of Marengo, Iowa, and graduated with a 
good record from the High School of the place. 
He has taught school from the time he was eigh- 
teen years of age in Indiana, Michigan and Iowa, 
and in 1869-70 attended Wabash College, where 
he made an excellent record for himself as a faith- 
ful, painstaking and intelligent pupil. In 1872 lie 
was appointed Deputy County Treasurer under C. 
Banner, in which office he made a record for him- 
self as a faithful servant of the public and an in- 
telligent and capable official. In the meantime he 
liad begun the study of law, and in 1875 he re- 
signed his position of Deputy County Treasurer to 
enter the law department of the State University 
at Iowa City, from which he graduated in 1876 
with the degree of LL. B. 

Our subject returned to Marengo and formed a 
law partnership with Judge Hedges, with whom 
he continued thus associated for four years, at 
which time Judge Hedges was elected Circuit 
Judge. He has since pursued his calling alone, 
and is engaged in a regular law practice. He is 
careful in the preparation of his cases, and has the 1 
ability to present them in a concise, logical and I 
forcible manner. i 

Mr. Alverson was married in Marengo, Iowa, in 



1876, to Miss Amanda J. Hunter, who was born in 
Iowa County, a daughter of James A. Hunter, who 
came to this section from Tennessee at an early 
day and followed the calling of a farmer. Mr. 
Alvei'son and his wife have three children: Ethel 
E., Tiessie M. and James L. He is now Secretary of 
the School Board, and has been for the past twelve 
years. He is Grand Treasurer of the Northwestern 
Legion of Honor (which includes six States), and 
has been for the past eight j'ears; he is a Royal 
Arch Mason, in which order be is Past Master, and 
for twelve j'ears was Secretary of Jerusalem Chap- 
ter No. 72; is Past Grand and a Trustee of the 
Independent Order of Odd Fellows; is a member 
of the Knights of Pythias, and for twelve years 
has held office in the Ancient Order of United 
AVorkmen. 

Mr. Alverson is a Democrat in politics and was 
elected to the position of City Mayor in 1891, and 
was re-elected in 1892-93. He has been a mem- 
ber of the Cit^- Council several years, and has been 
a delegate to county and State conventions. He 
has a pleasant office in the Baumer Block, where his 
earnest attention is given to his patrons. He is 
an intelligent and interesting conversationalist 
and is prepossessing in personal appearance. 



■ill AMES W. OLDAKER. Among those who 
came to Iowa in a very earlj' day, we are 
gratified to be able to mention the family 
represented by the name just given, and no 
theme is more agreeable to the biographer tlian 
that of pioneer times. The life history of one wiio 
has passed through that trying period, and has 
made his way to comfort and prosperity through 
hardships and adversitj-, should be of interest to 
every reader. 

James W. Oldaker was born in Knox County, 
Ohio, February 10, 1833, but his father, Jacob 
Oldaker, was born in Virginia, to which region his 
father came from Germany. At a later period the 



128 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



grandfather took up his residence in Ohio, dying 
in Licking County at an advanced age. Jacob 
Oldaker was brought up on the home farm in 
Ohio and obtained his knowledge of the world of 
books in the old-time log schoolhouse. His mar- 
riage, which occurred in Ohio, brought him a 
faithful helpmate in the pcrsou of Elizabeth Fry, 
who was born in Licking County, Ohio (for history 
of her family see sketch of John Fry), and to them 
a family of twelve children was born. Shortly 
after the celebration of their nuptials Mr. Oldaker 
purchased one hundred and ten acres of land in 
Knox County, Ohio, on whicli he moved, and prior 
to selling the same in 1849 he had succeeded in 
clearing seventy-Bve acres. He came to this State 
by wagon and arrived in Johnson County on the 
25th of October, after a journey of thirty days. 
He entered a tract of Government land in the 
vicinity of Frank Pierce, where he by hard work 
eventually became the owner of six hundred acres 
of land. Their first residence here was a little log 
cabin which he and his sons erected, but this in 
time gave place to a substantial frame residence. 
At first their white neighbors were very few, but 
Indians were plentiful and wild game abounded, 
affording much pastime for the lover of the chase, 
and as Mr. Oldaker was a fine marksman and took 
great delight in hunting, with his trusty rifle he 
brought down many a deer, sometimes as many as 
fifteen. Owing to the fact that he was crippled, 
he was unfitted for manual labor, and therefore 
had much time to devote to such sport, and the 
family was seldom without fresh meat of some 
kind in their house. In politics, he was a Repub- 
lican, and during his lifetime held nearly all the 
offices within the gift of the township. He paid 
the last debt of nature in April, 1888, being still 
survived by his widow, who has attained to the age 
of eighty-six years. 

James W. Oldaker was the second child born to 
his parents, and in the subscription schools of Ohio, 
which were in vogue during his youth, lie obtained 
a practical knowledge of the common branches of 
learning. At about the age of sixteen years he 
came with his parents to Iowa, and at the time of 
their location in Johnson County there were three 
or four families in their section. He clearly re- 



members the hardships they were compelled to 
undergo and the self-denials they were compelled 
to practice, and these perhaps fell with redoubled 
force on the shoulders of James W.,for he was one 
of the older members of the family, and, owing to 
the crippled condition of his father, practically the 
head of the house. It was a hard locality in which 
to dig out a living, but the indomitable energy 
and business sagacity of Mr. Oldaker were equal to 
the task, and gradually as the country settled up 
times grew easier, and he enjoyed such social advan- 
tages as the neighborhood afforded. 

On the 27th of December, 1857, Mr. Oldaker 
was married to Miss Adelaide Crosby, who was 
born in Clinton County, N. Y., December 5, 1833. 
At the age of two years she was taken to Pennsyl- 
vania by her parents, Eddy and Diana (Green) 
Crosby, the former a native of New Hampshire 
and the latter of New York. From Pennsylva- 
nia they removed to Licking County, Ohio, in 
1837, where they made their home until 1854 
when they came to this county, via the Ohio and 
Mississippi Rivers to Muscatine and the rest of the 
way by wagon. Mr. Oldaker's marriage resulted 
in the birth of the following children: Elizabeth, 
Charles, Delia, John, Dudley, Ettie, Burton, Leroy, 
Guy, and Ethel, who died at the age of three 
months. 

Mr. Oldaker settled on section 16, in Washing- 
ton Township, after his marriage, the land at that 
time being totally unimproved, and he was once 
more compelled to begin at the very beginning. 
After living on that place for ten years and very 
creditably improving it, he sold out and bought 
his present farm of one hundred and sixty acres, 
at which time there were only log buildings on 
the place. When his means enabled him to do so 
he built a good frame residence, in 1875, and 
the following year erected a substantial and com- 
modious barn, which is capable of holding a large 
amount of grain, hay, farming implements and 
stock. He has been a very practical and successful 
general farmer and is in every way a deserving 
man, for he has been public-spirited, enterprising 
and law-abiding, and in the domestic circle has 
been a kind and considerate husband and father. 
For the past ten years his health has been very 




cy^^.^7^^-lM^^<?->^Co^ 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



131 



poor and he is unable to do manual labor on ac- 
count of rheumatism, which he contracted through 
hard work and exposure in bis youthful days. 
During the many j'ears that lie has resided in this 
county he has seen this section pass through all 
the stages from a wilderness to its present pros- 
perous condition. He and bis worthy wife are 
members of the Christian Church, and in his polit- 
ical views he is a Republican and a number of 
terms has held the office of Township Assessor. 
He and his family are well known for their love 
of good reading and for their general intelligence, 
hospitality and worth. Thoir home is one of the 
pleasantest in the township and is a favorite resort 
for the best people of the section. 






OSES JENRY MORSMAN, ISI. D., num- 
bered among the able and successful pio- 
neer phj'sicians of Iowa City, Iowa, but 
now retired from the active duties of the 
medical profession, has been a constant resident of 
his present locality for about fort3'-seven years, 
and, a man of enterprise aud sterling integrit}' of 
character, has been prominently connected with 
various important city and county offices, and 
while occup3ang the maj'oral chair as Chief Exec- 
utive, and as a valued member of the Common 
Council, has with earnest effort advanced the grow- 
ing interests of Iowa City and won the esteem of 
his fellow-citizens. Dr. Morsman was born May 
20, 1812, near Sackett's Ilarljor, N. Y. His father, 
Martin Morsmau, was a native of New Hampshire, 
but was of Scotch descent and an excellent farmer, 
carefully tilling the rugged soil of New England. 
The paternal grandfather, Oliver Morsman, was a 
courageous soldier of the Revolutionar}' War and 
drew a pension, having served faithfully during 
the entire seven years of the struggle for inde- 
pendence. The mother of our subject was Mrs. 
Abagail (Phillips) Morsman, daughter of Parley 
Phillips, an American bv birth, but of Irish de- 

6 



scent, and a man of ability and integrity. Mrs. 
Morsman was born in Oneida County, N. Y., and 
was a most estimable woman, devoted wife and 
loving mother. 

Dr. Morsman spent his youth in his native 
count3', and there attended the schools of the dis- 
trict, later teaching for a time, but soon began 
studying medicine under Dr. Amos M. Dunten,of 
Plessis, N. Y., afterward reading with Dr. David- 
son, in Theresa, also in Jefferson County. Finally 
he entered Herkimer Medical College, and after a 
time took out a county license and began practice 
in Castalia, Ohio, about six miles from Sandusky 
City, and entered upon a successful practice, re- 
maining there for eleven years. In 1846 the at- 
tractions of the West drew our subject to Iowa, 
where he resumed his professional duties, and in 
Iowa City he established a fine practice extending 
out into the surrounding country. At the expira- 
tion of twelve years of hard work and incessant 
demands of professional duty. Dr. Morsman retired 
from the wearing rounds of the general medical 
practitioner, and has since variously employed 
himself, ever taking a deep and abiding interest in 
local enterprise and improvements. He was mar- 
ried May 22, 1836, to Miss Mary Margaret Hub- 
bard, of Castalia, Ohio. She was a native of 
Fulton, Oneida County, N. Y., and a daughter of 
Elisha A. and Amanda (Falley) Hubbard, old- 
time residents of the Empire State. The wife of 
Dr. Morsman was a cousin of President Cleveland. 

The hearts and home of our subject and his es- 
timable wife were brightened by the birth of eight 
intelligent children, six manly sons and two daugh- 
ters. Melvina A. married the Hon. William P. 
Hepburn, the Member of Congress from the Eighth 
Iowa District. Edgar M. is now the President, 
Treasurer and General Manager of the Pacific Ex- 
press Company, with headquarters at Omaha, also 
President of the General Traffic Association of the 
Express Companies. Louisa A. is the widow of 
John W. Porter, a prominent lumberman, who died 
eight years ago. AVestel W. is a successful attor- 
ney of Omaha. Harley E. is the Pacific Express 
Agent at Sedalia, ISIo. Dr. Albert Morsman is a 
successful business man and has charge of the pur- 
chasing (Icpartinent of the Pacific Express Com- 



132 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRArHICAL RECORD. 



pany. Herman A. resides in St. Louis, and is agent 
for the Pacific and United States Express Compa- 
nies' joint offices, and IManager for the St. Louis 
Division of the United States Express Company; 
he is a graduate of the law department of the 
Iowa State University. Dorman J. was the agent 
of the Pacific and Wells-Fargo Express Companies 
at Denison, Tex., until recently, when these com- 
panies were superseded by the American Express 
Company, and is now the agent of tiiat company. 
The beloved mother of these sons and daughters 
passed away in 1880, mourned by all wlio knew 
her. Slie was a woman of high principle, and, ever 
ready to befriend the poor and suffering, found 
many who needed her kindly care. Dr. Morsman 
is the oldest man living who ever practiced medi- 
cine in Iowa Citj', having begun in 1816. 

Politically, Dr. Morsman is a Jacksonian Demo- 
crat and a firm advocate of the principles of his 
party. He made one of the best Maj'ors Iowa 
City lias ever had, and in the Common Council 
his wise suggestions and excellent judgment were 
thoroughly appreciated and acted upon. As Pres- 
ident of the Board of Supervisors for three years, 
lie promoted and aided in the completion of needed 
improvements, and worked for the public interests. 
A friend of educational advancement, he was 
Vice-president of the Board of Trustees of the 
State University, and for five years was present at, 
and for most of the time presiding officer of, the 
various meetings of the Board, encouraging and 
stimulating his co-workers in a cause dear to the 
heart of every true American, who cannot fail to 
realize that education is the lever with which to 
elevate the masses. Our subject was the Appraiser 
of all the lands in tiie State University, seventy- 
two sections, and in this capacity settled with the 
sixty squatters scattered over the seventy-two sec- 
tions of land. He was the first man in Iowa 
City to be made President of a School Board, 
and is now the oldest man who was ever elected 
president of a bank in Iowa City, and the oldest 
man to hold that position in the State Historical 
Society. The ability of Dr. INIorsman as a pro- 
moter of financial enterprises was recogn ized when 
he was unanimously selected by the Board of Di- 
rectors as the President of the First National 



Bank of Iowa City. Our subject owns a handsome 
residence in Iowa City, and has an extensive farm, 
which he now rents. Blessed with prosperitj- he 
enjoys in the approaching evening of his age the 
consciousness of a well-spent life, whose useful ef- 
forts have not been in vain. For forty years Dr. 
Morsman has affiliated with the Ancient Free & 
Accepted Masons, having attained the Royal Arch 
degree, and both within and without this honored 
order has a host of old-time friends, who, with him, 
have borne the heat and burden of the day, and in 
the successful termination of their early struggles 
find a rich reward. 



l>^^<i 



^^OARTH THOMAS. Among the leading 
^ citizens and prominent Kepublicans of 
ci'-^ Brooklyn, this gentleman of wliom we will 
give a brief sketch is one of the most worthy. 
The ijeople, recognizing his ability and trust- 
worthiness, have at different times conferred upon 
him official honors. He has served acceptably as 
Constable, and was Deputy-Sheriff for three years. 
Being one of a family of twelve sons and daugh- 
ters, and being equipped with only a district- 
school education, he started out in life with a very 
meager capital, and thus his success has been the 
more remarkable. He was only a child of eleven 
years when he left his father's roof tree, starting 
out to make his own way. He worked by the 
month for farmers until the winter of 1853-54, 
when he went to Missouri, and after staying in 
that State for a few mouths came to Iowa in the 
fall. 

Drifting to Davenport our subject was there for 
a short time, thence going to Iowa City. In the 
fall of 1856 he went toGrinnell and drove a stage, 
being made agent of two lines running west. In 
the spring of 1857 he first set foot in this village, 
and for a time engaged in the occupation of 
keeping a stage station and hotel; he then worked 
at anything he could find to enable him to acquire 
an honest livelihood until the year 1865, when 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORI) 



133 



he entered the grocery business. In that line of 
trade he won a comfortaljle living, and with per- 
sistence stucli to the business for twenty-two years. 
Though he met with numerous discouragements 
and liad his store burned out once, he still was 
persevering and industrious and thus managed in 
spite of adverse circumstances to at least gain a 
good living. In 1891, Mr. Thomas finally left the 
grocery business, as since 1885 he had turned his 
attention somewhat to running a livery, which 
was established by H. L. Skinner. In February, 
1893, he assumed the management of May's Hotel, 
which bids fair to be a promising business ven- 
ture. 

Mr. Thomas was united in marriage in the year 
1854, to Miss Martha Owen, daughter of Alva and 
Catherine (Chrisman) Owen, both natives of the 
Empire State. Mr. Owen removed to Wisconsin 
about the year 1844, and engaged in farming in 
that State until shortly before his death. Tlie un- 
ion of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas has been blessed by 
a family of six children, only two of whom are 
living. Two died in infancy; Charles departed 
this life at the age of eighteen months; and Fred 
w^as accidentally killed while out hunting when 
only thirteen years of age; George resides in 
Brooklyn; and Aurilla is the wife of C. W. Mor- 
gan, who lives in Brooklyn. Mrs. Thomas is a 
member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, while 
our subject is, fraternally, a member of the Inde- 
pendent Order of Odd Fellows. 

The gentleman whose name heads this sketch 
was born in Warren County, N. Y., August 23, 
1833, and is a son of Edmond and Malinda (Her- 
rick) Thomas. His paternal grandfather emigrated 
to the United States in the early Colonial days 
from his native land, Wales, and engaged in farm- 
ing in the Empire State. In later life he moved 
to Wisconsin, where the death of himself and wife 
occurred. They reared a large family of nine 
boys and several girls. Our subject's father was 
born in New York, was a farmer by occupation 
and about the year 1849 came West to Columbia 
County-, Wis. About 1852 he located near the 
village of Wautomia, Waushara County, Wis., 
where he entered one hundred and sixty acres of 
land from the Government, which he greatly im- 



proved and developed. His death occurred before 
the beginning of the war, his wife having died some 
years earlier. Their family comprised twelve 
children. George died in Wisconsin; onr subject 
is the next in order of birth; and Henry died 
when nearly twenty 3'ears of age. Seven of the nine 
daughters grew to womanhood, and were as fol- 
lows: Abigail, now deceased; Alathea, who lives in 
New York; Mary, who lives in Kansas City; Jane, 
and Minerva, deceased; Vashti, who lives in Mad- 
ison, Wis.; Rebecca, deceased; Malinda, who lives 
in Texas; and Aurelia, who died at fourteen years. 



-♦^^^I@^:§1^^^ 



\|7 AWRENCE W. LITTIG, A. M., M. D. 
f M. R. C. S. Among the medical brethren of' 



jif 



\^ Iowa City, our subject is accounted one of 
the best, and in March, 1889, was made Professor of 
Anatomy in the State University of Iowa, Jiaving 
filled which position acceptably, he was promoted 
to the Chair of Theory and Practice of Medicine 
and Clinical Medicine. He is Secretary of the 
County Medical Society, and is a member of the 
American Medical Association. He is wrapt up 
in his profession, and is a constant and untiring 
student in all branches pertaining directly or in- 
directly to the treatment of disease. 

Dr. Littig is a native son of Iowa, having been 
born in Davenport, July 20, 1858. His father, 
John Littig, was a native of France, and a farmer 
by occupation. Our subject's mother before her 
marriage bore the name of Louise Rogge, and was 
born in Prussia. The parents reside in Davenport, 
Iowa, where they have been respected citizens for 
upwards of forty years. The early days of our sub- 
ject were passed in and near the last-named city, 
and his early education was acquired in the public 
schools. He later entered St. Vincent's College, at 
Cape Girardeau, Mo., from which he was graduated 
in 1880 with the degree of Bachelor of Arts, and 
two years afterward received the degree of Master of 
Arts. Determining to adopt a learned profession, 
Mr. Littig resolved to become a physician, as his 



134 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



tastes were more in that direction than in any otlier. 
In 1880 he became a student in the medical de- 
partment of the State University', graduating there- 
from in Marcli, 1883. In the fall of the same year, lie 
entered the medical department of the University 
of Pennsylvania, graduating from that institution 
in Ma3% 1884. After a competitive examination, he 
next became resident physician and surgeon in the 
Philadelphia Blockley Hospital, an institution of 
one thousand beds. At the expiration of the year for 
which resident physicians are elected, Dr. Littlg re- 
turned to Davenport, where he was at once elected 
County Physician. Resigning this position after 
nine months, he went to Europe, spending some two 
and one-half years in the hospitals of Berlin and 
Vienna. During this lime he made several trips 
to London, passed the necessary examinations, and 
in October, 1887, received the qualification "Mem- 
ber of Royal College of Surgeons," (M. R. C. S.), 
which entitles him to practice in P2ngland. 

Subsequently, Dr. Littig made three visits to 
Europe, spending the entire time in the Royal 
Hospital in Vienna, an institution of almost four 
thousand beds. The Doctor has rapidly risen in 
the ranks of his professional brethren, and is con- 
sidered one of the finest physicians and surgeons 
in the State. 



I^AVID B. HUGHES. Among the Welsh- 
I jj] American citizens who have done good, stal- 
jf!!>^ wart work in the cultivation and develop- 
ment of Sharon Township, Johnson County, Iowa, 
we may well mention the name just given, for he 
came to this region when it was in its primitive 
condition, labored faithfully early and late to pro- 
vide a home for himself and family, and is now 
possessed of a competence gained by energetic and 
well-directed efforts. lie is well known to the cit- 
izens of his section, and his correct mode of lining 
has gained him a popularity which is merited in 
every respect. On the 18tli of June, 1814, he first 
saw the light of day in the North of AVales, and 



after receiving some educational advantages he 
came to America in 1829, and first set foot on 
American soil five weeks after embarking on what 
then seemed a voj^age fraught with many dangers 
and uncertainties. The first three j'ears were spent 
in Oneida County, N. Y., after which he resided in 
Cambria County, Pa., until he attained his major- 
ity. Fifteen years were then spent in Pittsburgh, 
where he followed the trade of a plasterer. He 
then decided to come farther West, and for three 
3'ears followed his trade in the city of Chicago. 

Mr. Hughes arrived in Johnson County, Iowa, in 
1853, and the same year entered the land on which 
he is now residing, but did not settle on it until 
1856, renting it for the first three years. Even at 
that time there were not manj' settlers in tiie re- 
gion, but after the Civil War settlers began to pour 
in and the country was soon thickl}' iieo]>led. His 
liome place comprised two hundred and sixty 
acres of fine land, well tilled and well improved, 
but he has another tract of land amounting to one 
hundred and thirty-seven acres, which is also valu- 
able and well-improved property, and the result of 
his own shrewd management and business acumen. 
The improvements on his place have been made 
by himself and consist of good buildings of all de- 
scriptions, excellent fences and well-tilled fields. 
Not only is Mr. Hughes energetic and industrious, 
but he is also very public-spirited and the good of 
his section is of paramount importance with him. 
He has been extremely liberal in the use of his 
means and is prominent in agricultural and social 
circles, his many noble traits of mind and character 
winning him numerous friends wherever he is 
known. 

In 1843 he married Miss Margaret Reed, who 
died at the age of twenty-seven years, leaving him 
with a family of four children to care for: Joseph, 
Haniet, Mary and Margaret. On the 13th of Au- 
gust, 1853, he took for his second wife MissCasana 
Reed, a native of the State of Maryland, and their 
union resulted in the birth of an interesting family 
of five children: Benjamin, Albert, Clara, Luke and 
Sarah. The mother of these children was an intel- 
ligent and amiable lady, an earnest member of the 
Presbyterian Church, and at the age of seventy-two 
3ears was called from the scene of her earthly la- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



137 



bors, since which time Mr. Hughes has remained a 
widower. He has seen a great deal of the improve- 
ment of the county and has aided largely in develop- 
ing the resources of tiic same. Tlie Republican 
part3' embodies in its declaration the political views 
which Mr. Hughes considers most sound, and he is 
an intelligent student of national movements. 



'' t o^Z 



E^^ 



\TL^ ON. JOSIAH BUSHNELL GRINNELL, the 
Kji, founder of the city that bears his name, 
/iW^ was for a long period identified with the 
i^) development of Poweshiek County, with 
the history' of which his name will ever be insep- 
arably connected. It was to him that Horace 
Greeley directly addressed his world-famous re- 
mark, "Go West, young man! Go West!" The 
wisdom of the advice was proved during the years 
that followed his removal to Iowa, and he never 
had reason to regret that he acted upon the fam- 
ous statesman's counsel. 

On the paternal side, Mr. Grinnell traced his 
ancestry to Huguenot forefathers, who settled in 
Rhode Island during the year 1710. He was a 
native of Vermont and was born in New Haven 
December 22, 1821. Orphaned at ten, he spent 
six years in the home of his guardian, and at the 
age of sixteen became a school teacher. Five 
years later he was graduated from Oneida Insti- 
tute, but received the honorary degree of Master 
of Arts from Middlebury (Vt.) College, at the 
age of twenty-three. Two yeai'S later he was 
graduated from the theological seminary at Au- 
burn, N. Y., and then accepted the pastorate of 
the Congregational Church at Union Village, N. 
Y., where he remained until 18,50. He spent one 
year at Washington, D. C, where he preached the 
first sermon against slavery ever heard in the Cap- 
itol City. 

After spending three years as pastor of a church 
in New York, Mr. Grinnell left the ministry on ac- 
count of a chronic throat trouble. In 1854, he came 
to Iowa and purchased six thousand acres of land. 



upon a part of which he founded the city of Grin- 
nell. Through his efforts and generosity Iowa 
College was removed from Davenport to Grinnell, 
and Grinnell University merged with this institu- 
tion. Elected a State Senator in 1856, he secured 
the passage of the first free school law for that State, 
and was the first in the Senate to circulate a peti- 
tion for a land appropriation by the General Gov- 
ernment for an agricultural college, which resulted 
in the institution at Ames, Iowa. He served as 
Regent of the State University, and was a delegate 
to the Republican National Convention of 1860, 
and for two years filled the position of special 
mail agent for the Northwest under President Lin- 
coln. From 1863 until 1867 he was a member of 
Congress, in wliich position he served the interests 
of his constituents with great fidelit}'. 

For a time Mr. Grinnell was Commissioner of 
the Treasury Department, his special duty being 
to classify wools at the port of New York. In 
1869, he was referee in the Cherokee land claims 
in Kansas, involving millions of dollars. While 
serving as Director of the Chicago, Rock Island & 
Pacific Railway Company, he secured the passage 
of the railroad through Grinnell. He was first the 
President and later the Receiver of the Central 
Railroad of Iowa, and as President of the Grinnell 
ife Montezuma Railroad turned it over to the Cen- 
tral. He laid out a number of villages in Iowa 
and Kansas, managed a number of farms and pro- 
moted the improvement of stock, especiallj- sheep 
and horses. The friend of the slave, he was after- 
ward equally the chaminon of the freedman. He 
was a devoted friend of Horace Greeley and Wen- 
dell Phillips, and a warm admirer and supporter of 
Garfield, Blaine and Harrison. His fellow-citizens, 
realizing his capabilities, lionored him with elec- 
tion to the highest position within iheir gift, that 
of Mayor. At one time he was President of the 
F"irst National Bank and later he was Director in 
the Savings Bank. His home sheltered Joiin 
Brown and party when on their waj' to Kansas, 
and a part of his famous Virginia Constitution 
was written in the residence of Mr. Grinnell. 

After the disastrous tornado of 1882, Mr. Grin- 
nell went East, where his earnest appeals secured 
the larger part of the funds that rebuilt the city 



138 



PORTRAIT A^T> BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



and college. He was the friend of everyone who 
knew him, from the artizan to the most distin- 
guished statesman and scholar of the land. A phil- 
anthropist whose benefactions were not limited bj- 
space or restricted by creed, his death was a calam- 
ity to Grinnell and a loss to Iowa, indeed to the 
whole nation. A devout Christian, an investigat- 
ing scholar and a lover of the human race, he was 
the champion of every good cause, and his life 
from its beginning to its close was filled with un- 
selfish deeds for the blessing of humanity. He died 
March 31, 1891, but though passed away, his mem- 
ory is green in the hearts of the people of Grin- 
nell. With characteristic modesty and dislike of 
display he expressed a desire that there should be no 
outward signs of mourning at his death, and while 
his wishes were granted, yet it was impossible to 
entirely repress the great grief which filled the 
hearts of the vast crowd that followed his remains 
to their last resting-place. 

Mr. Grinnell is survived by the lady who for 
nearly forty years was his devoted wife and faith- 
ful companion. Julia A. Chapin was born in 
Springfield, Mass., and is a daughter of the Hon. 
Chauncy Chapin. The first representative of the 
family in this country was Deacon Samuel Chapin, 
who emigrated from England to Springfield, Mass., 
in 1640. In the court square of that place a 
statue was erected to his memory after he had 
passed away. Chauncj- Chapin was a farmer by 
occupation, and was often called upon to occup\- 
positions of trust. He was a member of the Mass- 
achusetts Legislature and was the first Secretary 
of the Anti-Slavery Society at Springfield. Mrs. 
Grinnell has the first book of records and the desk 
upon which her father wrote. He died in 1851, at 
the age of sixty-two years. For many years he 
filled the position of Deacon in the Congregational 
Church, of which he was a prominent member. 

Nancy J. (Lombard) Chapin, the mother of 
Mrs. Grinnell, was born in Xew York, and was the 
daughter of Roswell Lombard, a native of Spring- 
field, Mass., who lived in New York for a time, 
but afterward returned to Massachusetts. For 
many veal's he was engaged in the manufacture of 
mattresses. Mrs. Chapin died in the spring of 
1855, aged fifty-nine years. She had been the 



mother of nine children, only three of whom lived 
to maturity, namely: Roswell L., who died at the 
age of twenty-six, in Springfield. Mass.; Mary B., 
who maiTied Rev. Dr. Day, of Hollis, N. H., and 
died at Grinnell, Iowa; and Mi-s. Grinnell. 

Mrs. Grinnell was a pupil at Ml. Holyoke Sem- 
inary during Miss Mary Lyon's lifetime. Febru- 
rya 5, 1852, she became the wife of Mr. Grinnell 
and went to Xew York, where she resided for two 
years and came thence to Grinnell. Their union 
was blessed by the birth of four children, two of 
whom died in infancy. Mary Chapin is the wife 
of Rev. Dr. D. O. Mears, of Worcester, Mass.; Car- 
rie Holmes married Prof. R. D. .Jones, who is at 
present a student in the universities of England 
and German}'. 

Mrs. Grinnell still resides upon the site of their 
first home in Grinnell, at the corner of Park and 
Third Avenues. Since the death of her husband 
she has remodeled the house, converting it into an 
elegant residence. She is one of twenty charter 
members of the Congregational Church, only three 
of whom are now living in this citj'. In all mis- 
sionarj- and philanthropic work she is foremost, 
never refusing to aid the needy and distressed. 
As executrix of the estate, she gives her personal 
attention to her property interests and owns land 
here, as well as in other counties of the State. 
Sometime in the '60s her husband founded a town 
in Franklin County, which he called Chapin, in 
her honor. Prosperit}' has not caused her to be- 
come selfish and proud, but in all things she is 
a worthy disciple of the meek and lowly Jesus. 
Long will her memory live in the hearts of her 
friends, after she shall liave gone to that bourne 
'• whence no traveler returns." 



y'lLLIAil F. BUCK. Old settlers have the 
advantage of wide extended acquaintance 
^ ^ with the country, and it is exceptional to 
find one who is not a sociable man and a capital 
talker. Such at least ma}- be said of our subject 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



139 



with truth, and his good fellowship, to say nothing 
of his man}- other worthy qualities, entitles him to 
all the blessings with which he is surrounded. He 
resides on section 31, in Union Township, John- 
son County, and has been a settler of the county 
since 1844. Mr. Buck was born in Hanover, Gei'- 
many, August 26, 1824, being the son of Dr. Adol- 
phus Buck, a native of Hanover, who died in that 
province at the age of thirtj-three. The father of 
the latter was an official of the German Government. 

The mother of our subject, Sophia Kruedli, a 
native of Switzerland, died in German}- at the age 
of sixty-two. She bore her husband two children, 
our subject and a daughter, he being the younger. 
He lived in his native country until he was eighteen, 
receiving a training first in the common schools of 
the country and then attending the Joseph Col- 
lege, of Hildesheira, from which lie graduated. Mr. 
Buck came to America in 1844, landing at New 
Orleans, where he remained about three months, 
and then came direct to Iowa Cit\', at which place 
he was a clerk for C. H. Buck in a general store, 
remaining with him about fifteen months. He then 
enlisted in Company A, in the infantry- service, 
in the Mexican War, serving about one year, at 
the expiration of which time he volunteered in a 
company of dragoons and served until peace was 
declared. Returning from the war, he engaged in 
teaming at Iowa City, having teams of his own, 
and hauled from Muscatine to Iowa City. At the 
end of two jears he sold out and bought a farm in 
Hardin Township, Johnson County, where he re- 
mained eighteen years and disposing of that prop- 
erty, purchased the farm where he now lives. 

Mr. Buck was married in Missouri, April 16, 1850, 
to Miss Mary Thomas, who was bom in North Wales, 
Februar}' 22, 1831. She came to Pennsylvania 
with her parents when five years old and to Iowa 
in 1840. Mr. and Mrs. Buck are the parents of 
nine children, six sons and three daughters: Henr}' 
A., William T., Edward O.: Jane, the wife of Mat- 
thew Howell; Elmer; Charles; Hattie, who died at 
the age of three months; May, the wife of Millard 
McKray; and Herbert. Mr. Buck has a farm of 
three hundred and fort^'-nine acres, all under cul- 
tivation except the timber for the fencing and for 
fuel. He began a poor man, having bought his 



first farm on credit, and has made his money b}^ 
general farming and stock-raising. Upon his first 
farm he built a log house, 16x20 feet,which was the 
only improvement upon it when he took possession 
of it. Mr. Buck is a Republican and has filled 
nearly everj' office of the township, having been 
a member of the Board of Supervisors of Johnson 
Count}-, a Justice of the Peace, School Director, 
etc. He is a man of great moral worth and is held 
in great repute by all who know him. 



.^^HOMAS LEADER. Integrity, intelligence 
((f^^\ and system are characteristics which will 
^^^y advance the interests of anj' man or any 
calling, and to sa}" that Mr. Leader possesses these 
most essential attributes would be but speaking 
the truth. His career throughout life has been 
characterized by hard labor, earnest application 
and a desire to make the most of every opportu- 
nity for bettering his financial condition, but 
these have never been exercised at a cost to self- 
respect or by fraudulent means whatsoever. He 
is a native of Norfolk, England, where he first saw 
the light on the 20th of August, 1825, his father 
being William Leader, a glover of Norfolk. This 
gentleman entered the English army and was in 
the famous battle of Waterloo, in which only 
twelve members of his regiment came out alive, and 
he received several severe sabre wounds. He re- 
mained in the service a number of j-ears and 
died at Norfolk at the advanced .age of ninety 
years, a member of the Baptist Church, of which 
his wife, Ann Lawrence, who was born, reared 

I and married at Gibraltar, was also a member. She 
died in England in 1885, aged ninety-two 3-cars. 
The paternal grandfather, William Leader, was 
a linen weaver of Norfolk, and at the time of his 
death was over one hundred yeai-s of age. 

The union of William and Ann Leader re- 
sulted in the birth of sixteen children, thirteen of 

j whom reached maturity, and only two are living 



140 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



at the present time. Thomas was the third from 
the youngest of the famil}', and the only one 
who came to America. He was brought up in 
his native town, received no educational advan- 
tages in his youth, and what he has acquired in 
the wa3' of a literary education he has obtained by 
self-application and contact with the business af- 
fairs of life. He began working on a farm at 
the age of eight years, but continued to reside 
under the parental roof until he was sixteen 3' ears 
of age. The first wages he received were twelve 
cents a day, and he boarded himself, and when he 
was capable of doing a man's work he received 
the munificeut sum of twentj'-four cents a day. 
In 1847 he was married in England to Miss Ann 
Atkins, a native of Cambridgeshire, England, and 
a daughter of James Atkins, who was foreman 
on a flue old English estate, and after his mar- 
riage Mr. Leader worked on this farm for two 
years. He then came to the conclusion that the 
outlook for obtaining a home of his own was 
very poor indeed, so left that country in the fall 
of 1849, taking passage on a sailing-vessel at 
Liverpool for America They were shipwrecked 
off the coast of Wales, and were compelled to re- 
main on the wreck for three days. At the end of 
eighty-five days they landed in the city of New 
York, and removed at once to Elgin, 111., where 
Mr. Leader secured employment from the North- 
western Railroad, and continued this work through 
the winter. 

In the spring of 1850 Mr. Leader went to 
Medina County, Ohio, where he worked as a farm 
laborer for one year, then rented a farm on shares, 
and at the end of three years had saved enough 
to enable him to come to Iowa. In the fall of 
185.5 he located in Marengo Township, Iowa 
Count}', and he and three other men bought one 
hundred and sixty acres of land in the timber on 
Hilton Creek, which they improved and farmed 
together for about five years. At the end of this 
time Mr. Leader bought them out and thus started 
with a good farm of one hundred and sixty acres, 
which he began stocking with cattle, and has 
since bought, sold and raised these animals in 
large numbers. His efforts have been prospered 
to his entire satisfaction and he has laud to the 



amount of seven hundred acres surrounding his 
old home, all of which i.s magnificently improved 
and comprises some of the best land in Iowa 
County. The land is rolling and well watered, 
thus making it an excellent farm for stock pur- 
poses, and besides this, he has a three hundred 
and sixty acre farm in the same township and a 
fort^'-two acre farm in Sumner Township, the re- 
sult of his intelligent management and push. His 
home farm is improved bj^ an excellent frame 
residence, which was built at a cost of $6,000, and 
two fine barus, 66x72 feet and .36x62 feet; a hog 
barn 60x22 feet, and sheds for his stock, one one 
hundred feet in length, and the other eightj^ 
feet long. He raises full-blooded Durham cattle 
and bought twelve head for $1,200, pajing S200 
for a male animal, which took the first premium at 
the Iowa Count}' Fair. He now has about forty 
head of full-blooded cattle and forty-six head of 
a good grade, and annuallj' feeds from one hun- 
dred and seventy-five to two hundred head. He 
also raises large numbers of hogs, and often has a 
drove of one hundred and twenty. 

In 1889 our subject built a beautiful residence 
at the corner of Adams and Court Avenues, in 
Marengo, which is considered the finest home in 
the city, is beautifully and tastefully furnished, 
and is the abode of conjugal happiness and com- 
fort. Mr. Leader has some spirited and hand- 
some horses, and has been in nine runawa3'S. He 
has had his arms and legs dislocated and broken 
at different times, and at one time had seven ribs 
broken and at another time five, but with true 
British pluck continues to drive his high-stepping 
horses and handles the ribbons in a workman- 
like manner. He was one of the organizers of 
the Marengo Savings Bank, in which he is a Di- 
rector, and he is also a Director and stockholder 
in the Farmers' Saving Bank at Victor, and is a 
stockholder in the North English Savings Bank. 
He has been a School Director in his district for 
six 3ears, has been an exceptionally efficient Road 
Supervisor for nineteen years, and superintended 
the building of the Count3' Poor House, which he 
successfully managed for three 3'ears until it was 
under good headway. 

To our subject and his wife were born the 




^^^^ 



r 




%,x 





^^t^-x^<L- 



^-^:^ 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



143 



following children: Sarah, who was accidentally 
killed by a cane mill; Eliza, Mrs. Royal, who resides 
at Oak Park, Chicago; Pauline, who attends the 
medical department of the State University of 
Iowa, from which she will graduate in 1894; Isa- 
bell, who graduated from Marengo High School; 
Jennie, now Mrs. Harlow, of Tipton, Cal.; Sadie; 
Belle, Mrs. Royal, Jr., of Oak Park, 111.; A. T., 
who is on the home farm; L. C, a resident of 
Des Moines; and Ethel, who is at home. Besides 
these, he reared and educated one boy, John Fry, 
who lives in northern Iowa and owns six hun- 
dred and forty acres of land, and is worth at 
least %.50,000. Mi's. Leader is a member of the 
Presb3'terian Church and is an amiable and in- 
telligent ladv, eminently fitted to preside over 
her beautiful home. Politically, Mr. Leader has 
always been a warm Republican, espouses the prin- 
ciples of that party on all occasions, and has 
been a delegate to county and State conventions. 
His career teaches a useful lesson, and should be 
emulated by others who are desirous of obtaining 
fame and fortune. 



-^^ 



^OHN CLINTON SHRADER, A. M., M. D., 
Dean of the Faculty of the medical depart- 
^^ ment of the State University of Iowa, is 
'f^l' one of the prominent physicians of the State. 
AVhile the lives of self-made men seldom abound 
in sensational incidents, there is an energ}', a per- 
severance and an underflow of character that 
lend them a charm, an attractiveness and worth 
that merit admiration and careful thought. We 
need not look among those of royal blood to find 
lives worth3' to be recorded. Among us they are 
the outcome of a stern conflict with opportunities 
made and conquered, and are at once the support 
and proud result of this grand American civiliz- 
ation. 

Dr. Shrader began his career a poor boy, and 
has by his own efforts risen to an honorable posi- 
tion both in professional and social life. He was 



born in Washington County, Ohio, April 24,1830. 
His parents were John and Eliza Ann (Melvin) 
Shrader, the latter a descendant of the old Dear- 
born family, of New Hampshire. Our subject 
spent his boj'hood on the farm and was reared, as 
were the families of that day, to habits of industry 
and economy. Owing to the illness of his father, on 
him, as the eldest son, mainly devolved the support 
of the family, and he was thus deprived of 
much opportunity for early education. A college 
course was begun, but he was obliged to abandon 
the same for lack of means to complete it. His 
native talent and earnest study in later life have 
made the want of college training imperceptible, 
and have placed him in the rank of men who 
have had had superior advantages. 

Dr. Shrader was married January 1, 18.52, to 
Lydia P., daughter of Samuel Evans, of Washing- 
ton County, Ohio. The Evanses were originally of 
Welsh descent, early settlers in New York, and 
emigrated to Ohio at an early day. By this union 
Dr. Shrader and his wife had five children, viz: 
Delia, wife of Dr. J. B. Carder, of Iowa City; 
Anna, who died at the age of five years; William E., 
a druggist in this city; Frank P., a druggist at 
Brooklin, Iowa; and Charles C, a druggist with 
his brother William. Mrs. Shrader died in De- 
cember, 1871. Our subject was afterwards mar- 
ried, in 1872, to Miss Margaret Carter, of this city. 

While still young Dr. Shrader became very de- 
sirous to devote himself to the profession of medi- 
cine, and to this end all his energies were bent. 
While at home he pursued his studies under Dr. 
John Hemphill, and filled the hours between teach- 
ing with earnest application to his favorite sludj'. 
Removing to the West in 18,')5, he located in Linn 
County, Iowa, and there engaged in farming 
and stock-raising, which he continued success- 
fully until the financial crisis of 1857-58, which 
wrecked him, along with thousands of others in 
the West. Leaving the farm, he then assisted in 
the organization of Western College, in Linn 
County, afterward becoming one of its first in- 
structors. His new occupation afforded him the 
opportunity of resuming his medical studies with 
renewed vigor, under the direction at first of 
Dr. Crouse, and afterward under Dr. Parmenter, 



144 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



then a professor in the college. He resigned his 
place in the school for the purpose of attending 
medical lectures, and was faul3' at work in a rap- 
idly increasing practice when he became very 
much concerned over the fate of the Union. 

In August, 1862, Dr. Shrader was commissioned 
by Gov. Kirkwood Captain of the Twenty-second 
Iowa Infantry, the regiment being commanded bj' 
Col. Stone. While serving as Captain, he was de- 
tailed for duty on Gen. Fitz-Henry AVarren's staff, 
and served for a time in 1864 as Provost-Marshal- 
General of Texas. On his return to his command 
he was soon after appointed Surgeon, with the 
rank of Major, by Col. Stone, and on the removal 
of his regiment to the Eastern Department was 
chosen one of the operating surgeons of the Sec- 
ond Division, Nineteenth Army Corps, which 
formed a part of Sheridan's army in the Shenan- 
doah Valley. He had charge of one of the largest 
hospitals in Winchester, Va., soon after the bat- 
tle at that point. Subsequently rejoining liis regi- 
ment, he remained with it until he was mustered 
out. He was presented in the name of his regi- 
ment with a complete set of surgical instruments, 
on the several cases of which was engraved: "Pre- 
sented to Surgeon John C. Shrader by the officers 
and men of the Twenty -second Regiment, Iowa 
Infantry, in appreciation of his skill as a phy- 
sician and surgeon, and as a tribute of love and 
esteem from his comrades in arms." 

On leaving the service, Dr. Shrader entered 
upon the practice of his profession at Iowa City, 
where he has by successful results in his large 
practice made himself one of the leading phy- 
sicians of the city and State, and has built up a 
large and remunerative business. Upon the es- 
tablishment of the Medical Department of the 
University of Iowa, he was appointed by the 
Board of Regents Professor of Obstetrics and 
Diseases of Women and Children. lie still holds 
his position in the department, which is becom- 
ing so justly popular in Iowa and the Northwest. 

Our subject is a member of the militarj' order 
of the Loyal Legion of the United States, and is 
eligible to membership in the order of the Sons 
of the Revolution, as both his great-grandfathers 
served throughout that struggle. He is also a 



member of the Grand Army of the Republic, and 
President of the Twenty-second Iowa Veteran As- 
sociation, and has been since its organization. He 
was made a Mason during the war in Hiram Lodge 
No. 21, at Winchester, Va., in December, 1864. 
This was the same lodge of which Gen. Washing- 
ton was a member. The lodge was entirely com- 
posed of Southern men. He was made a Mason 
at their request and without a fee. This was on 
their part a compliment to him, in consideration 
of kindness shown to and treatment of all men 
alike, without any regard to which opposing force 
they belonged. Our subject has taken the Thirty- 
second Degree, Scottish Rite, While stationed in 
charge of the hospital at Winchester, the Doctor 
at his request was relieved and rejoined his regi- 
ment, participating in the battle of Cedar Creek. 
In politics Dr. Shrader has always been a strong 
Republican and a man of potential influence in 
the party in this State. He was elected a mem- 
ber of the State Senate in 1879, serving in the 
Eighteenth and Nineteenth General Assemblies. 
He bore a conspicuous part in the legislation of 
those sessions, being a member of several of the 
most important committees. He was a delegate 
to the National convention which nominated Gar- 
field in Chicago; has since the war borne a part 
in the State conventions, and his counsel has gen- 
erally been sought in making the platforms and 
shaping the policy of the party in the State. 
AVhile a temperance man from principle, yet he 
was opposed to the polic}' of the Republican 
party of the State in committing itself to Prohibi- 
tion, and voted against the measure in the Senate. 



,.,y M. HENDERSON is the accurate, reliable 
(@^^jj| and efficient Cashier of that well-known 
111 institution, the Marengo Savings Bank. 
He was born in Warren County, Iowa, 
about five miles from Indianola, at what is now 
Ackworth, February 6, 1850, while his father, P. 
P. Henderson, was born in Libert3', Union County, 



PORTEAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



145 



Ind., his father, Thomas Henderson, having been a 
Tennesseean by birth and a tanner by trade. In 
an early day he became a resident of Union 
County, Ind., where he operated a taunerj' until 
1840, when he took up bis residence in Warren 
County, and began devoting his attention to farm- 
ing, which occupation he continued until advan- 
cing years compelled him to lay down his work. 
He died on his farm at the age of seventy-seven 
years. He was descended from Scotch ancestors, 
who were Quakers in religious belief. 

In 1847 P. P. Henderson came to Iowa from In- 
diana with a team and wagon, and decided to 
make his home in Warren County, at which time 
there were very few families in this section. He 
entered a tract of land, settled thereon in a log 
house, and set energetically about the work of im- 
provement. He became one of tlie first Sheriffs of 
the county, a position he held several j'ears, and 
the jail and sheriff's office were at his log house. 
At the same time he held the position of Postmas- 
ter, having been successful in establisiiing an office 
at his place, which he called Indianola. When In- 
diauola was laid out, he sold his property there. 
Not only did he hold the position of Clerk of the 
County Court, but he also represented his county 
in the State Senate as a Republican up to the time 
of the opening of the great Civil War, and was an 
able, accomplished and incorruptible Legislator. 

After Ft. Sumter had been fired upon, our sub- 
ject raised Company G, Tenth Iowa Volunteers, of 
which he became Captain, and was later promoted 
to Colonel. He participated in the principal en- 
gagements of the war until Savannah, Ga., was 
reached, when he resigned and returned to his 
home. He then filled the position of County 
Treasurer for several years, after which he retired. 
Since 1886 he has been the very capable Ma3'or of 
Indianola, where he is regarded as a man of un- 
blemished reputation, undoubted intellectual abil- 
ity', keen business foresight, and as an earnest and 
consistent Christian. His wife was Miss Martha 
P. Hayworth, who was born in Clinton County, 
Ohio, of which State her father, Samuel Hayworth, 
was also a native and a successful farmer. He was 
of English descent and of Quaker slock. He came 
to Iowa with his family in 1846, and was one of 



the first settlers of Warren County, his home be- 
ing about five miles east of Indianola. He became 
the j)OSsessor of a finely improved farm of six hun- 
dred acres, on which he paid the last debt of nature 
at the age of seventy -six years. 

Mr. and Mrs. Henderson became tlie parents of 
five children, two of whom grew to maturity, and 
are still living. The mother died in 1865. Her 
son, John H., was the first white child born in 
Warren County, and he is now a practicing attor- 
ney of Indianola, and Judge of the District Court. 

A. M. Henderson, the subject of this sketch, was 
reared and educated in Indianola, and was an at- 
tendant at Simpson College until he completed the 
Junior year, when he entered the real-estate and 
abstract office of his brother, where he remained 
until the spring of 1876, they holding tlie first and 
only complete set of abstract books in the county. 
In 1876 Mr. Henderson located at Albia, Monroe 
County, Iowa, where he completed a set of abstract 
books, but in the fall of 1877 sold tliem and lo- 
cated in Marengo. In February of the following 
year he was appointed Deputy County Recorder, 
for his intelligence and business ability were soon 
recognized, and he retained this position under J. 

B. Wilson for two terms. 

On the 8th of November, 1881, he was made As- 
sistant Cashier of the Marengo Savings Bank, and 
so ably did he fill this position, that on the 1st of 
October, 1886 he was elected Cashier^ and this re- 
sponsible position he lias held up to the present. 
This is a State bank, with a capital stock of $50,- 
000, and a surplus of $160,000. Mr. Henderson is 
popular and respected in financial circles, and he 
and his intelligent wife are considered acquisitions 
to the social circles in which they move. He was 
married in 1872, to Miss Sallie Jackson, who was 
born, reared and educated in Ohio, and to their 
union two children have been given: Clarence, a 
graduate of the Marengo High School; and Fan- 
nie. Mr. Henderson is a Royal Arch Mason, has 
attained to the Encampment in the Independent 
Order of Odd Fellows, is a charter member of the 
Knights of Pythias, and he and his wife are ear- 
nest and worthy members of the Methodist Episco- 
pal Church, in which he is one of the Trustees. 
He is a Republican, has been a member of the 



146 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



CounU' and State Committees, and of the County 
Kopiiblican Central Committee. He is a responsi- 
ble, law-abiding citizen, and stands deservedly 
liigli in financial and social circles. 



If? H. P>ARNES. Ruskin. the great art critic, 
I (?§, has exjiressed profound regret at the dis- 
(J^^ placement by the railroads of the old-fash- 
ioned stage coach, with its delightful recollection 
of gentle jostling, pleasant intimacies formed with 
fellow-passengers, and the charming views offered 
as the vehicle passed along at a comfortable pace. 
The drivers were full of anecdote and sociabilit}', 
knowing every one, and having vast funds of in- 
formation concerning every spot of local interest. 
The father of the subject of this sketch was for 
many years one of the kind, genial, pleasant and 
popular managers of a line of stages which accom- 
modated the public many years in Iowa and other 
States. 

Luther H. Barnes, Sr., was born in Livingston 
County, N. Y., where for some years he engaged 
in the livery business, locating at Rochester, but 
later he removed to Peterboro, Canada, and still 
later to Monroe, Mich., where he started a livery 
business and stage line, running from Toledo, 
Ohio, to Detroit, by way of Monroe and Ann 
Arbor, and at the same time engaged in a general 
merchandise business. He removed to Dubuque, 
where he opened a stage line to the West as far as 
Council Bluffs, which he conducted for two years. 
At this time the family came back to their old 
home in Monroe, where they remained for several 
3cars, when Mr. Barnes removed to Cedar Falls to 
enter the stage business with our subject, and at 
this place he died at the age of seventy years. He 
had been well and favorably- known over a great 
extent of country-. In his political belief he was 
a Democrat. 

The mother of our subject bore the maiden 
name of Margaret Paxton, and was born in Que- 
bec, Canada, a daughter of Capt. Paxton, a sea-cap- 



tain. Her ancestry' was French. She died in Iowa, 
having been a member for many 3'ears of a Pro- 
testant Church. Her family of children consisted 
of one son and three daughters. Our subject was 
the eldest in the family, and was reared in Mon- 
roe, where he attended the common schools and 
obtained a primary education, which was later sup- 
plemented by a course in Lodi Seminary-. From 
his earliest j'outh he was fond of horses, and 
learned their management, turning this knowledge 
to good account in 1851, in Dubuque, where he 
started a livery business in connection with the 
Julian House stable. This was profitably con- 
ducted for two years, during which time our sub- 
ject drove a stage back and forth to Council 
Bluffs, and then he located in Cedar Falls. 

At this growing town Mr. Barnes opened a hotel, 
combining with it a livery business and a line of 
stages to run into Minnesota; this continuing for 
a period of four years, until the expiration of the 
mail contract. During the war he managed the 
stage line through Cedar Falls, but later he lo- 
cated at Marshalltown, Iowa, and opened one line 
between that place and Iowa Falls, and another be- 
tween Waterloo and Cedar Rapids, continuing un- 
til the building of railroads through these sections 
made the coach business no longer a paying one. 
Consequently the business was sold here, and our 
subject removed to Adel, in Dallas County, ahead 
of the iron horse, and opened a stage line between 
the towns of Adel, DeSoto, Van Meter and Win- 
terset. However, through all of that section at 
the present time the puff of the locomotive is 
heard, and the historic coach is no more seen, ex- 
cept it be the imitation of the palmy days made hy 
the votaries of fashion, who, with painted vehicles 
formed after the old stages, and filled with fine 
ladies and gallants, with prancing steeds and toot- 
ing horns sweep over the graded roads for a taste 
of the pleasures of the daj'S gone by. 

In 1866 our subject became United States Ex- 
press Messenger over the large extent of countrv 
from Northwood to Mason City and Ottumwa, 
making a trip one way every day, seemingly* very 
well suited to this business on account of his in- 
timate knowledge of the whole State. In 1881 
he was appointed to be agent at Grinnell, since 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



147 



which time lie has been very aetivelj' engaged in liis 
duties, requiring for the constantly increasing busi- 
ness the assistance of two men. In all of this rail- 
road travel our subject has not escaped disaster, al- 
thoiigli he has come out alive from the three 
wrecks which have occurred on his trains. 

Mr. Barnes was married in Janesville, Wis., to 
Miss A. L. Streeter, a native of New York, who 
some years later died in Iowa. Her two daughters 
survived, and are Helen M., now Mrs. Brockway, 
of Jefferson, Iowa; and Fannie, now Mrs. Oaten, 
of .Seattle, Wash. The second marriage of Mr. 
Barnes took place in Ottumwa, Iowa, to Mrs. E. F. 
Evans, a native of Ohio. This lady is a member 
of the Episcopal Church. In 1891 Mr. Barnes was 
elected as the candidate of the Democratic party to 
the honorable position of Alderman in the Third 
Ward, and has been made a member of several 
very important committees in the City Council, 
one of them being the Water Committee. As a 
business man, Mr. Barnes has shown himself a suc- 
cess, and as an enterprising citizen he commands 
the respect of all who know him. 



]^+^[ 



j«^ AMUEL H. HEMSTED, a successful agri- 
^^^ culturist, leading business man and junior 
Ife^lSJ partner of the widely known and prosper- 
ous firm of Andrews, Ohl & Co., is an hon- 
ored citizen of Graham Township, in which part 
of Iowa he has resided for nearly a half-century. 
His pleasant home is located upon section 14, 
where he owns a fine farm of two hundred and 
forty acres under an excellent state of cultivation, 
and well improved with substantial and commodi- 
ous buildings. Our subject was born December 
19, 1837. and was but four months old when his 
parents removed to Ohio, where they settled due 
north of Columbus. In this locality Mr. Hemsted 
spent the first six years of his life. In 1844 his 
parents again made a change in their location, then 
journeying to the West and finding a permanent 
home in Johnson Count}', Iowa, entering into ag- 



ricultural work in what is now Newport and Gra- 
ham Townships. From nineteen years of age Mr. 
Hemsted was entirely self-supporting, and was 
then engaged in farming, giving his entire atten- 
tion, up to 1880, to agricultural duties and stock- 
dealing. 

September 1, 1880, Samuel H. Hemsted engaged 
in business with William Andrews and Alfred R. 
Ohl, being the third partner in the highly success- 
ful firm of Andrews, Ohl & Co., dealers in stock, 
grain, lumber, seeds, wagons, .agricultural imple- 
ments, buggies, harness, coal and rock salt. Al- 
though mainly occupied by the cares of daily busi- 
ness, our subject continues the cultivation of the 
farm, the homestead annually yielding excellent 
returns for the labor expended in the tilling of 
the soil. Mr. Hemsted comes of good old Penn- 
sylvania stock, and possesses the sturdj' virtues of 
his ancestors. His father, Frederick W. Hemsted, 
was born in Pennsylvania, and his mother, Eliza- 
beth Akers, was .also a native of the Quaker 
State. The3' came to Johnson County in the 
fall of 1844, and after many years the mother died 
in Graliam Township, about 1884, but the vener- 
able father still survives. Our subject has been 
thrice married. His first marriage gave him as a 
faithful companion Miss Eliza Thompson, a native 
of Ohio. By this union Mr. Hemsted became the 
father of two children: Mary L. and Emeline. 
Mary L. is the wife of W. F. Hindman; Emeline is 
Mrs. C.E.Endsley. Mis. Eliza Hemsted died in May, 
1864. The second wife of Mr. Hemsted w.is Miss 
Mary J. Haddock, a native of Ireland, who bore 
her husband five children, of whom four are yet 
living: Oscar, Agnes, Guy and Lillian. The eld- 
est child of the second family, Jennie, died in 
childhood. Mrs. Mary J. (Eladdock) Hemsted 
passed away in the spring of 1879, in Graham 
Township. The present wife of our subject was 
Miss Mary E. Grimes, a native of New York State, 
who was born in Troy. Mr. and Mrs. Hemsted are 
the parents of two children, Ellen and Mabel, 
bright and intelligent young daughters. 

Our subject, although a very busy man, finds 
time to inform himself regarding the affairs of the 
day, and takes a special interest in both local and 
national issues. Highly respected for his sterling 



148 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



integrity of character, courteous in his bearing 
and affable in manner, Mr. Henisted has in social, 
business and political relations the happy faculty 
of winning and keeping friends, and has received 
from his constituents and neighbors various offices 
of trust, the duties of which he has discliarged to 
the universal satisfaction of his fellow-citizens and 
his co-workers in the public cause. From his very 
earliest years closely associated with the advance- 
ment of the best interests of Johnson County, and 
an earnest advocate of progress and reform, our 
efficient subject long ago attained a high position 
in the regard of the general public. 



? I ' I ' I I < ' 



ll ^ ENRY WEEKS, a well-known and promi- 

r)\, nent old citizen of Iowa County, and a 
iJ^)^ well-to-do retired farmer, residing in Mar- 
(^^ engo, was born on Long Island, near Baby- 
lon, March 24, 1820, where his father, John Weeks, 
was also born, his grandfather, Peter Weeks, being 
a product of Old England. The latter came to 
America at the close of the Revolutionary War 
and took up his residence on Long Island, where 
he cleared and improved a farm and tilled the soil 
until bis death, having for many years been a 
member of the Presbyterian Church. John AVeeks 
became enamored of the sea in his youth and for 
a number of jears followed that calling on a 
coaster, but in 1832 he left the home of his 
birth to remove to Ohio. After residing for some 
time near Paynesville, in Lake County, whither 
he had been drawn by the reported high wages 
given to sailors on the lakes, he succeeded in 
obtaining employment, but not liking the work he 
turned his attention to farming and became the 
owner of a small tract of laud, on which he died 
soon after, at the age of fifty-one years. He was 
a Jacksonian Democrat. His wife was Katherine 
Ruland, a native of Long Island, and a daughter 
of Peter Ruland, a New Yorker of English descent 
and a mechanic by occupation. Mrs. Weeks also 
died in Ohio, having become the mother of four 



children, three sons and one daughter, only two 
of whom are living at the present time. Seth is a 
resident of Corry, Erie County, Pa. He was a 
soldier in the Union army during the Civil War, 
being a member of an Ohio regiment, and was 
through the entire service. 

Henry Weeks was reared on Long Island, with- 
in hearing of the sea, and just across the bay from 
Fire Island, and soon learned to handle a boat in 
a very skillful manner. He was given the advan- 
tages of the common schools, which he improved 
to the utmost, and in 1832 became a resident of 
Ohio, at the same time as did his parents, going by 
boat to Albany, from there on the Erie Canal to 
Buffalo and by lake to Fairport, Lake County, 
Ohio, where he eventually obtained a practical 
knowledge of farming by working out as a farm 
laborer after the death of his father and mother. 
On the 4th of October, 1847, he was married in 
Lake County to Miss Sarah A. Wright, who was 
born near New York State in Lower Canada, Jan- 
uary 26, 1824, a daughter of Maj. Wright, a na- 
tive of Connecticut and an ocean sailor in his 
younger days. He removed to Lower Canada, 
where he engaged in farming, later to Geauga 
Count}', Ohio, and there he eventually passed 
from life. His wife was Aurilla Cushman, a native 
of New Hampshire, and a daughter of Newcomb 
Cushman. She bore Mr. Wright seven children, of 
whom Mrs. W^eeks was next to the youngest. The 
latter was reared in Ohio, was educated in the 
public schools and Chester College, and afterward 
was for some time successfully engaged in teach- 
ing school. 

After his marriage, Henry Weeks bought a farm 
of sixty-eight acres in Lake County, which he 
farmed in an intelligent and satisfactory manner 
until 1854, when he sold out and started Westward. 
The journey to Chicago was made by water, to 
Muscatine, Iowa, by rail, and from there to Iowa 
City by stage. Mr. Weeks entered two hundred 
acres of land in what is now Green Township, 
Iowa County, after which he went back to Ohio, 
and returned with his family in 1855. He located 
on his place and began at once to improve it, the 
first sod being broken with an ox-team. After re- 
siding in a log house for some time, they built a 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



149 



substantial frame residence and made other valu- 
able improvements. This place he sold in 1876, 
and the following year located in Marengo, where 
he bought a farm of sixty-five acres adjoining tlie 
corporate limits on the north, and this farm he 
improved and operated successfully until 1891, 
when advancing years compelled him to call a 
truce to his labors and he sold out and retired to 
private life in the citj'. 

Mr. Weeks has always been a Republican in 
politics. He was first a Whig and as a Republican 
cast his first Presidential vote for Henry Clay. 
To his marriage six children were given, four 
of whom are living. Amelia (Mrs. Person) died in 
Johnson County, Iowa; Elbert W. graduated from 
the University of Iowa in 1873, and is a success- 
ful attorney-at-law at Guthrie Centre, Iowa; Mil- 
ford W. is a miller of Kingman County, Kan.; 
Annettie (Mrs.Talbott) resides near Helena, Mont.; 
Jessie is the wife of C. L. V. Ferree, who is Cashier 
of the Farmers' IJank of Jamaica, Guthrie County, 
Iowa; and Mary died at the age of twenty years. 
Mrs. Weeks is an intelligent and cultivated lady 
and an earnest and consistent member of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church. 



^>-M<t 



TEPHEN E. PAINE, manager of the Close 
Linseed Oil Works, of Iowa City, Iowa, 
on the paternal side is descended from 
one Stephen Paine, who emigrated from 
Great Ellingham, near Hingham, Norfolk County, 
England, coming to America in the year 1C38, in 
the ship "Diligent" of Ipswich, John Martin mas- 
ter. He brought with him his family, consisting 
of his wife. Rose, three sons and two servants, and 
first settled at Hingham, Plymouih County, Mass., 
from which State his descendants have scattered 
to various portions of the Union. 

Stephen Edson Paine is of the eighth generation 
from the ancestor just mentioned and is the only 
child of Stephen and Polly A. (Calkins) Paine. 
He was born in Greenfield, Saratoga Count3-, N. 



Y., March 8, 1830, and was left an orphan at an 
eargly age, both of his parents d^'ing before he 
was fourteen. His education was obtained in the 
district schools and neighboring academies, and in 
May, 1849, being tiien nineteen years of age, he 
went to the city of New York as a member of the 
firm of Calkins & Paine, engaging in publishing 
the Siudeni, a monthly magazine. A few j-ears 
later the place of its publication was removed to 
Boston and "Oliver Optic" became its editor. 

In January, 1851, Mr. Paine removed to Sara- 
toga Springs, N. Y., where he was engaged for four 
years in general merchandising, and then came to 
the West, stopping for a short time in Chicago. 
In May, 1856, he went to Rockford, 111., where he 
remained one year superintending the erection of 
gas works. Then going to Muscatine, Iowa, he 
supervised the erection of gas works there, com- 
ing to Iowa Cit3', his present place of residence, 
in September, 1857. For about fifteen years 
from that time he held various important posi- 
tions in the gas works of this place, having 
overseen their building and having served as 
Secretary and Superintendent of the company. 
Since August 1, 1874, he has been connected as 
book-keeper, later as assistant manager and now as 
manager of the Close Linseed Oil Works. 

In Mechanicsville, Saratoga County, N. Y., was 
celebrated the marriage of Mr. Paine and Miss 
Mary Evelyn Fellows, the date of that event be- 
ing April 8, 1852. Mrs. Paine was born in Blalta, 
N. Y., September 23, 1832, and is a daughter of 
Abiram and Nancy Fellows. To our subject and 
wife have been born three children: F^linor, Mary 
and Katharine, who are all natives of Iowa City. 
The family are members of the Congregational 
Church, in which our subject has held various po- 
sitions, having been for four years Sunday-school 
Superintendent, three years in the New School 
Presbyterian Church, and again for one 3'ear in the 
Congregational Sunday-school. For two years he 
was President of the Board of Trustees in the 
Congregational society and was for three years 
Secretaiy of the Johnson County Bible Societ}'. 
In 1864 he was elected President of the Iowa City 
School Board, and from 1863 to 1869 inclusive 
was a member of tiie City Council as Trustee from 



150 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD, 



the Fourth Ward. In March, 1871, he was hon- 
ored in being elected Mayor of the city, was 
twice elected on the Republican ticket and once 
on the Union ticket, holding the office for three 
successive terms. In 1864 Mr. Paine was elected 
Recording Secretary of the State Historical So- 
ciety of Iowa, holding said office two terms, and 
from that time until the present he has been con- 
nected with the society as a member of the Board 
of Curators. In the year 1867 he was elected 
Secretary of the Johnson County Agricultural 
and Mechanical Society, being re-elected twice. 
No words of eulogy or praise are needed for a 
good man and patriotic citizen, for his own good 
works are his best tribute. 



li^Mil'^-i^il^^^ 



S] SAAG BOWEN, a prominent and successful 
I general agriculturist and liighl}' honored pio- 
ll\ neer settler of Johnson County, Iowa, has been 
a resident of section 18, Scott Township, for more 
than half a century, and, locating in the broad 
West when it was but little more than a wilder- 
ness, has lived to witness the wonderful progress 
of his adopted State and behold the miles and 
miles of wavmg corn where once the rugged and 
uncultivated prairies held their barren sway. Our 
subject was born in Ross County, Ohio, August 
23, 1812, and was reared upon the farm of his 
parents, honest. God-fearing people, Jesse and 
I'riscilla Bowen, both natives of Maryland, who 
made their lifetime home in Ross County, Ohio, 
where they passed away at a good old age, re- 
spected and beloved by all who knew them. 

Having remained upon the old homestead until 
he was about twenty-four years of age, Mr. Bowen 
determined to tr}- the West, and in 1836 journeyed 
to Indiana, there sojourning for three jears, but 
in April, 1839, left the Hoosier State, and, intent 
upon following Hornce Greeley's advice, continued 
his travels toward the setting sun, and finally lo- 
cated in the far West of Iowa. It was upon May 
5, 1839, that our subject arrived in Johnson County, 



and in a brief time had purchased a farm of one 
hundred and sixty acres in Scott Township. The 
land, with the exception of eighteen acres, was en- 
tirely unimproved, but the ambitious young set- 
tler went to work with a will, and year after year 
has, in the rapidly growing value of the land as it 
yielded to a high state of cultivation, been richly 
repaid for the care and toil of seed-time and har- 
vest. Since 1890, the advancing age of Mr. Bowen 
has somewhat interfered with his active manage- 
ment of the old homestead, but the farm is still 
under his supervision. As a rule, our subject has 
enjoyed excellent health, and his earnest efforts in 
life have been abundantly blessed. 

Mr. Bowen was united in marriage in Johnson 
Countj"-, Iowa, November 25, 1841, to Miss Susan 
P. Williams, born in Cincinnati, Ohio, August 27, 
1824, and the daughter of John and Elizabeth 
(Ferry) AVilliams. The father died in Hamilton 
County, Oiiio, when Mrs. Bowen was but ten years 
of age, and she was then given to the care of her 
uncle, William B. Snyder, with whom she came to 
Iowa in 1839. Our subject and his worthy wife 
have been the parents of ten children, and of the 
sons and daughters who brightened the home with 
their presence, seven still survive. These brothers 
and sisters in the order of their birth are: Will- 
iam J., Mary Eliza, Elizabeth E., Maria J., Isaac 
N., George E. and Susan Z. Mary Eliza is the 
happy wife of Emory Westcott; Elizabeth E. is 
the wife of LaFayette Strahl; Maria is married to 
Smith Bradley; Susan is Mrs. Charles Westen- 
haven; William man led Miss Ruth Strickland; 
Isaac was united in marriage with Miss Clara 
Thomas; and George is the husband of Fanny Mer- 
ridon. Two of the children died in early infancy, 
and the beloved daughter, Anna P., who had mar- 
ried Thomas Faucett, died in her Kansas home 
November 22, 1882. 

During his years of useful citizenship, Mr. 
Bowen has held the official position of Justice of 
the Peace and been one of the most valued mem- 
bers of the School Board, and, serving efficiently 
as a Director, did much for the educational ad- 
vancement of the youth of the county. As a Jus- 
tice he was ever upright and impartial In his de- 
cisions, which were governed by law and evidence. 






--^*~%_ 



' '"^lAs, 






C^^:??-^ c/crci:^^ 



PORTEAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



153 



and in his official capacity, as in his private life, 
has been distinguished for his keen sagacity, ex- 
cellent judgment and sterling integrity of char- 
acter. Mr. and Mrs. Bowen have been almost life- 
time members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, 
and belonged to the first Evangelical Society ever 
established in Johnson County, being numbered 
among the active workers and liberal supporters 
of the same. Our subject and his wife, and their 
entire family in their various homes, enjoy the 
full confidence and high esteem of the communi- 
ties among whom they dwell, and, occupying posi- 
tions of influence and usefulness, are prominent 
factors in the growth and prosperity of their na- 
tive land. Pioneer settlers, facing privations and 
sacrifices together, Mr. and Mrs. Bowen, now in the 
serene evening of their lives, can review with calm 
content the spotless record of the many years they 
have traveled hand in hand, and, bequeathing to 
their children and their children's children an 
honored name, leave behind them a legacy of 
priceless value. 



"i<^ i* 



^^EORGE POWELL was an early settler and 
(II ,-^ prominent business man of Iowa City, 



G,E01 



W JJI Johnson County. He was a liberal man 
and public-spirited citizen, who, unlike too many 
men in this day and age, did not make it his chief 
aim and ambition to acquire a fortune regardless of 
the rights and well-being of others. He was recog- 
nized as a business man of unusual ability, and was 
known to have a strict sense of honor and un- 
varying integrity, so that it might truly be said 
of him that his word was as good as his bond. 

Our subject was a native of Delaware, his birth 
having occurred April 1, 1810, in Wilmington. 
He was reared and educated in Pennsylvania and 
from his early youth was trained to business pur- 
suits, and was a son of William and Martha 
(Sturgis) Powell. The former died when his son 
was a lad of only twelve years, and was buried at 
the old Quaker burying-ground at Roxbury, in 



Pennsylvania. The Powell family are of English 
descent, they having been early settlers in Amer- 
ica. In 1853 Mr. Powell located in Iowa City, 
where he was engaged with his brother in the 
packing-house and they were also extensive dry- 
goods merchants. Being energetic, capable and 
enterprising, he enjoyed a career of prosperity 
as a business man. He continued in active busi- 
ness until 1871, when he retired from the daily 
round of duty, having acquired a comfort.able com- 
petence, and when he departed from this life, Maj' 
4, 1884, he left his family in most excellent cir- 
cumstances. He w.as politically in early years a 
Whig, later becoming an ardent Republican. Dur- 
ing the war he was a stanch Union man, but never 
was a politician in any sense of the word, prefer- 
ring to devote his attention and time to the suc- 
cess of his business enterprises and investments in 
the more peaceful walks of life. 

Upon the 8th of January, 1866, George 
Powell and Miss S. M. Patton were united in 
marriage, receiving the heartj' congratulations and 
best wishes of their many friends. Mrs. Powell 
was born in Fayette County, Pa., July 19, 1836, 
and has from her 3routh resided within the boun- 
daries of Iowa, where she is widely known, and en- 
joj's the respect and confidence of a large circle of 
friends and old-time acquaintances. She was the 
daughter of Thomas Patton, a native of Ireland, 
though of Scotch-Irish descent, who emigrated 
with his parents to America when only six years 
of age. He was born in 1797, and in the year 
1803 with his parents he settled in Pennsylvania. 
He was an intelligent man and although reared 
upon a farm enjo^'ed the advantage of an excel- 
lent education, and having adopted printing as his 
trade kept abreast of the times and was thoroughly 
posted in the current affairs of the day. In later 
years he became editor of the Genius of Liberty, or 
the Fayette Pennsylvania Democi-at. When he re- 
moved to Iowa in 1854 he retired from the active 
duties of business life. 

The mother of Mrs. Powell was Matilda, daugh- 
ter of William Morris, who was a cousin of Robert 
Morris, the celebrated American financier of the 
Revolutionaiy period, and one of the signers of the 
Declaration of Independence. Mr. and Mrs. Pat- 



154 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



ton were married in Fayette County, Pa., where 
tliey resided many yeai'S, and reared a family of 
seven children. Mrs. Powell at the age of six 
j'ears went to live with an uncle, Justin G. Mor- 
ris, her mother's brother, who had no children. 
For seven years she remained with him and then, 
at the age of eighteen, came with her parents to 
Iowa City. After a time she returned to the East 
to complete her education, attending the Steuben- 
ville Female Seminar^', near her old home. One 
son graces the union of our worth3' subject and 
wife, William, now a student in the State Univer- 
sitj' of Iowa, and a young man of intelligence and 
promise. 

George Powell in the early days of this city's 
prosperity was engaged with his brother John ex- 
tensively in pork-packing, the latter being one of 
the earliest pioneers of the place. George Powell 
was at one time a member of the Independent Or- 
der of Odd Fellows. He was reared a Quaker, 
never departing from the uin'ight principles and 
quiet, unassuming goodness instilled into him by 
his parents. He had many warm friends ia this 
city, in whose hearts his memory will ever be cher- 
ished. He was ever mindful of those less fortun- 
ate than himself, and it may be trul3' said of him 
that the world was made better by his life. 



\^^- 



ROF. JOSEPH 11. WILLIAMS, of the Arm 
of Willis & Williams, proprietors of the 
Iowa City Commercial College, Academy 
and School of Shorthand, has become 
distinguished in the educational annals of Iowa 
Cit3', and assists in conducting an influential edu- 
cational institution, eminently designed to fit 
young men for the practical duties of life. The 
rapid advancement made in matters pertaining to 
popular education is due in no small measure to 
the brilliant young leaders who have arisen here 
and tliere, and who have dedicated their energies 
and labors to the upbuilding of the educational 
interests of their respective States. Among these 



may be mentioned Prof. Williams. The school 
was organized in 1865 by Prof. William McClain, 
who conducted it in a very able manner until his 
death, in the fall of 1877, when the school was 
purchased by Prof. F. R. Williams, an elder brother 
of the subject of this sketch, who had been princi- 
pal of the business department for about three 
years, and it was by him and his brother J. H. 
very much improved both in size and usefulness. 

J. H. Williams was born near Barnesville, Bel- 
mont Count}-, Ohio, March 18, 1855, to Henry D. 
Williams, a farmer by occupation, and Rachel C. 
(Crew) Williams. When he was about two years 
old his parents moved to this State and settled in 
Linn County, where his youthful days were spent 
on the farm and in attending the common schools 
near his home. 

He attended the High School of Anaraosa, Iowa, 
from 187-1 to 1877, then after teaching a four- 
months school in the western part of the State, he 
entered the Iowa City Commercial College, in 
which he took a thorough course, paying his way 
through the school by teaching commercial arith- 
metic. His proficiencj' and trustworthiness were 
the means of securing for him a position in the 
school as soon as he had finished his course, which 
he acceptably filled until the spring of 1881, when 
he purchased an interest in the college, and in the 
fall of 1884 became the sole proprietor. The 
school continued to grow, and in May, 1889, he 
purchased and added to his Commercial College 
the University School of Shorthand, which had 
been organized by Prof. Eldon IMoran about nine 
years before. 

July 1, 1891, Mr. Williams admitted as a part- 
ner Prof. W. A. Willis, a teacher of more than 
twenty years' experience, seven of these as Super- 
intendent of the Iowa City Public Schools. This 
partnership was formed for the purpose of organ- 
izing an academy in connection with the Com- 
mercial College and School of Shorthand. This 
department was opened in September of the same 
year with a very large attendance, and now the 
annual enrollment of the three departments is 
nearly four hundred students. 

Prof. Williams is especially' well adapted for the 
management of a large and flourishing institution, 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



155 



and in every way deserves the reputation he has 
acquired of beiug a successful, enthusiastic busi- 
ness educator. He is Prineii)al of the commercial 
department and Prof. Willis of the academic, 
each beiug assisted by a number of comiieteut, ex- 
perienced instructors. 

In 1881 Mr. Williams was united in marriage 
with Miss Emma M. Atkinson, of Anamosa, Iowa, 
and he and his good wife are well known and 
highly esteemed by numerous friends in Iowa 
City. 



^ n;rON REMLEY. in all ages and coun- 
tries the legal profession has ever num- 
bered in its ranks the most intelligent 
and widely-read individuals of the time. 
Among the prominent lawyers of Johnson County, 
and one of the leading Republicans of Iowa City, 
is the gentleman whose name heads this sketch. 
In 1892 lie was one of the Harrison electors-at- 
large, and had the honor of being made a delegate 
to the National Republican Convention which met 
in Chicago in 1888 and nominated Gen. Harrison. 
Mr. Remley was born in Lewisburgh, W. Va., in 
Greenbrier County, October 12, 1844, his father 
being the Rev. James Remley, a devoted minister 
of the Baptist denomination and a native of Vir- 
ginia. Our subject's mother before her marriage 
was Miss Jane C. Alderson, also a native of the 
Old Dominion and a daughter of Col. George Al- 
derson, who was of English descent, and Mrs. 
Jeanette (McCleary) Alderson, who was of Scotch 
ancestry. In November, 1855, the family of which 
our subject is a member removed to Iowa City, 
near which place the father settled on a large farm 
and at the same time did considerabla preaching 
in the county for a few years. lie was called to 
the better land in 1875, at which time he was in 
his sixty-fifth year. He was a son of Elias Remley, 
a native of Pennsylvania and of German descent, 
who became one of the early settlers of Greenbrier 



County, W. Va. Mrs. Remley is still living, mak- 
ing her home with our subject. She was the mother 
of eleven children, of whom seven lived to matu- 
rity. Three sons and two daughter are still living. 
Lycurgus was in the Twenty-second Iowa Infantry 
during the late war and died at the siege of Vicks- 
burg; George A. was in the same regiment, rose to 
the rank of Sergeant-Major, and was killed at the 
battle of Winchester. 

Milton Remley, of whom we write, passed his 
boyhood and youth in his native county and re- 
moved to Iowa City with his parents in 1855. He 
entered the schools of the city and later pursued 
his studies in the State University, from which in- 
stitution he was graduated in 1867. From early 
years he had considered the idea of becoming a 
member of the legal profession, and therefore, car- 
rying out his resolution, he entered the law office 
of C. R. Scott, with whom he read law and pursued 
his studies, being admitted to the Bar in 1868. 
He began the practice of his profession in Ana- 
mosa in partnership with J. S. Stacey, their con- 
nection lasting for three years. In 1874 our sub- 
ject removed to Iowa City, where he opened a law 
office, and has since practiced before all the courts. 

In 18G9 Mr. Remley and Miss Josephine Dennis 
were united in marriage. The lady was born in 
Tiffin, Iowa, and is a daughter of Bryan Dennis, 
formerly of Ohio and one of the early settlers of 
Johnson County. He owns about one thousand 
acres and is one of the most influential agricultur- 
ists of this portion of the State, of which he first 
became a lesident in 1839. Four children grace 
the union of our worthy subject and wife. Hubert 
owns the Iowa Citizen, a weekly and dail^' paper, 
which has a large circulation; Jessie, GJeorge and 
Alice complete the family. The son is an en- 
terprising and wide-awake young business man, 
who has already developed more than ordinary 
ability and has undoubtedly a future of great 
promise. The daughter is accomplished and amia- 
ble and with her brothers, and indeed the whole 
family, has many friends in this locality, whom it 
is their special pleasure to entertain in their hos- 
pitable home. 

Mr. Remley is socially a member of Eureka 
Lodge, I. O. O. F., and both he and his wife are 



156 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



consistent members of the Baptist Church, in the 
work of which they are active and zealous. Mr 
Remley's practice is steadily increasing and he 
justly ranks among the leading lawyers of the 
State. 



ON. EDWARD W. LUCAS. Prominent 
)Y among the sons of the State of Iowa, and 
^ one who has always had her welfare deeply 
at heart, is the subject of this sketch. Since 
his youth he has taken an active interest in for- 
warding all measures calculated to bring lasting 
benefit to this member of the sisterhood of States. 
He is the son of ex-Go v. Lucas, the first Territorial 
Governor of Iowa, and has himself served as a 
member of the Legislature from Johnson County. 
He is a retired and wealthy farmer, making his 
home at No. 1037 Kirkwood Avenue, Iowa City, 
wliere he has a beautiful home. 

For many generations the Lucas family has been 
prominent in the history of this country, the 
original ancestor of our subject in America, Rob- 
bert Lucas, being a native of P^ngland, who came 
to this land of liberty and equal rights with Will- 
iam Penn, making a settlement in the wilderness 
of Pennsylvania. The great-grandfather of our 
subject, who also bore the Christian name of Ed- 
ward, was born in Berks County, Pa., and emi- 
grated to .Jefferson County, Va., where his son 
William, our subject's grandfather, was born, in 
the Shenandoah Valley. The latter removed to 
Ohioin 1800, which was two years before the State 
had been admitted to the Union, and there he ex- 
perienced many of the privations and hardships of 
pioneer life. Robert Lucas, his father, was born 
in Jefferson Count}', Va., April 1, 1781. Gov. Lu- 
cas was first married to Elizabeth Brown, by whom 
he had a daughter, Minerva, who subsequently 
married Horatio N. Sumner. After the death of 
his first wife, Gov. Lucas married Friendly Ashley 
Sumner; she bore him seven children, Edward 
and iNIary being the only ones now living. The 



mother of our subject was a distant relative of the 
famous Charles Sumner. She was born in Vermont, 
and was a daughter of Capt. Edward C. Sumner, 
of English descent. 

In 1832, Gov. Lucas, then residing in Pike 
Count}', Ohio, was elected on the Democratic ticket 
for Governor of the State of Ohio, and was re- 
elected in 1834. In 1838 he was appointed by 
President Van Buren Governor of the Territory 
of Iowa, and organized it as a Territory. He re- 
turned to Ohio in 1843, and then in 1845 with his 
family removed to Iowa City, and resided here 
until his death, in Februarj', 1852. 

Our subject was born September 13, 1825, in 
Pike County, Ohio, and was a lad of fourteen 
years when he came with his parents to Iowa. His 
education was mainly acquired in the public 
schools of Ohio, and soon after locating in Iowa 
City he began his career as a clerk in a general 
store for E. Clark, after which he formed a part- 
nership with Messrs. Clark & Crosthwait, engaging 
in locating Government lauds and having their 
office first at Iowa City. Later a new firm was 
organized comprised of J. Clark, Kirkwood Ai 
Lucas, and the office located at Des Moines, 
and subsequently at Ft. Dodge. In the late war 
he was Lieutenant-Colonel of the Fourteenth Iowa 
Infantry, being commissioned October 30, 1861. 
He was taken prisoner at the battle of Shiloh, 
Tenn., April 6, 1862, and on October 13 of that 
year was paroled from Libbj' Prison. He entered 
the service again after he had been exchanged, and 
resigned in 1863 to organize a cavalry regiment, 
which plan, however, he did not carry out, as an 
order from Washington was sent out not to organ- 
ize any new regiments, requiring the recruits to be 
put in old regiments. 

His fellow-citizens, appreciating his wortli and 
ability, have called upon Mr. Lucas a number of 
times to fill positions of more than usual import- 
ance and trust. For twenty-five months he was 
Postmaster at Iowa City under Johnson's admin- 
istration, commencing the duties of that office 
in April 1887, and being removed by Gen. Grant 
in May, 1869. He has always been a stanch Dem- 
ocrat and a leading man in his party, on which 
ticket he was elected a member of the Legislature 




■*%v 



<g^^d^BAcr~.uu^ 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



159 



from Johnson County to the Nineteenth and 
Twentieth General Assemblies of 1881, and being 
re-elected, served on several important committees. 
He was one of the original members of the first 
agricultural societj' of the count}', and was its 
President at one time, serving faithfully in the so- 
ciety for twenty-two j-ears. 

For many years our subject has taken a great 
deal of interest in fine stock, and was one of the 
principal breeders of Shorthorn cattle in the 
county for some time, having as man}' as fifty 
head. He was active in the introduction of good 
horses into the county and is now a member of 
the Iowa Stock Breeders' Association. On his farm 
he had one of the finest orchards in this portion of 
the State, and made a specialt}' of growing vari- 
ous varieties of apples. 

September 29, 1852, was celebrated the marriage 
of Col. Lucas and Miss Phrebo A. Clark, of Des 
Moines, Iowa, who is a sister of the Hon. E. Clark, 
President of the Iowa State Bank of this city. To 
our worthy subject and his amiable wife have been 
born five children, only two now living, who are 
as follows: Robert and Clark S., a prosperous 
farmer in this county. Our subject owns consid- 
erable real estate, some of it being in this city. He 
has the highest esteem and regard of a large circle 
of friends and acquaintances in all portions of the 
State. In jjolitics, he lias always been a stanch 
Democrat, and his counsels have been potential in 
tlie ranks of his party. 



eHALMER D. CLOSE. There have lived in 
Iowa City few men wliose loss has been 
more keenly' felt, or whose presence in our 
midst seemed so nearly indispensable, as his of whom 
we write. During his thirty-six j'ears in our city 
he labored hard, earnestly and indefatigably for the 
good of his fellow-citizens, and identified himself 
with every movement having their welfare as its 
object. At the head of one of our largest manu- 



factories and live business enterprises, he won a 
name in business circles as an honest, upright and 
conscientious man, the soul of integrity, one whose 
word was as good as his bond and whose bond was 
as good as gold. He built up through incessant 
enterprise the splendid industry already men- 
tioned, and in business circles, as well as every 
where else, he has been sorel}' missed. 

Chalmer D. Close was born September 7, 1832, 
in Genoa, Cayuga County, N. Y.,and was a son of 
Samuel Close, a native of New York and for many 
years atanner. Oursubject's paternal grandfather 
was of English descent and was a soldier in the 
War of the Revolution, serving for seven years. 
Samuel Close was united in marriage with Miss 
Sarah Dodge, a native of Bennington, Vt., born in 
1806, and of Scotch origin. Our suliject was one 
of four children, and passed his bojhood days near 
the place of his birth, his education being derived 
from the common schools, after completing which 
he attended the academy at Aurora, N. Y. For a 
short time after leaving school he clerked in a gen- 
eral store, and in 1854, concluding that the West 
afforded greater opportunities, he came to Iowa 
City, since which time he made this city his per- 
manent home and wiis one of her most respected 
citizens. After clerking a short time Mr. Close en- 
tered into partnership with his brother, M. T., in 
1855, and the following year the brothers were also 
proprietors of a candle, soap and lard oil manu- 
factory. In 1861, under the firm name of M. T. 
Close & Co., they opened the present great indus- 
try, the Linseed Oil Mill, and continued in business 
together until 1887, when the name of the firm 
was changed to C. D. Close & Co. In 1865 the 
paper mill at C'oralville was opened by our subject 
and the same brother, whose share he purchased 
later on. 

May 12, 1864, Mr. Close was united in marriage 
with Miss Helen Stevens, of Genoa, N. Y., and 
of their union were born three daughters and a son, 
who are as follows; Emma B., wife of W. H. Stewart; 
Alice A., S3ivester Leroy and Kate S. On April 
22, 1890, the devoted husband and affectionate 
father departed this life. His innumerable friends 
cherish his raemorj', and can rarely repress a sigh 
as they recall the genial, whole-souled man, his un- 



160 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



bounded hospitality and unsurpassed social quali- 
ties. There was a peculiar charm about him that 
was irresistible, and to one who had felt the hearty 
clasp of his strong hand, an indissoluble bond of 
friendship was formed to last tlirough life. Each 
day one noted in the man new merits, while the 
faults, if faults there were, appeared not, and tiius 
friendship grew, and having once made liis ac- 
quaintance a man became his swoi'n friend. He 
held man}' positions of trust and honor, and at the 
time of his death was, and had been for years, 
a Director of the Burlington, Cedar Rapids &■ 
Northern Railway, Vice-president of tiie Johnson 
County Savings Bank and a Director of the Na- 
tional Linseed Oil Co., with headquarters at C'lii- 
cago. Mrs. Close, who is a very benevolent and 
lovable lady, and one who is tlioroughly accom- 
plished and cultured, is now making her home 
in tlie palatial residence which was erected by 
her lamented husband shortly before his death. 
She is a lady of unusual business ability, and 
possesses rare tact and common sense, qualities 
which have made her a host of friends. Recently 
she gave !i!l(),(lOO toward founding a hall which 
was named in honor of her late linshand Close 
Hall. 



FREDERICK FUHRMIESTER, an able, en- 
ergetic and successful agriculturist, who 
has been actively associated with the up- 
ward growth and progress of Johnson County, 
Iowa, from early boyhood, resides upon a fine 
farm of two hundred and ninety-eight acres, pleas- 
antly located on section 31, Newport Township. 
Born in Germany November 23, 1838, our subject 
was the eldest of the five children of Frederick 
.and Louisa (Deickman) Fuhrmiester, both natives 
of the Fatherland and descendants of a long line 
of German ancestry. The parents emigrated to 
America in 1847, and with their family landed 
.safely on our shores, proceeding immediately on 
their w.iy to Iowa, where they located in Linn 



County, in which part of the State the mother 
died a few months after her arrival in this country. 

The father afterward removed with his familj- to 
Newport Township, where he remained until he 
too died. Our subject was a manly boy of twelve 
when he came with his surviving parent in 1850 
to Johnson County, and ably assisted in the agri- 
cultural duties of the farm. He enjoyed the lim- 
ited educational opportunities afforded bj' the 
district schools, which in the winter months gath- 
ered within their sheltering walls a goodly num- 
ber of the farmer boys and girls of the neighbor- 
hood. Arriving at manhood, he entered earnestlj' 
into the struggle of life, and, achieving success, 
was married in Graham Township, June 7, 1861, 
to Miss Mary Forwald, a native of Graham Town- 
ship, and born January 18, 1844. Mr. and Mrs. 
Fuhrmiester have been blessed with a large fam- 
ily of intelligent children, ten of the sons and 
daughters who gathered about the family hearth 
yet surviving, and two are deceased. Louisa, the 
eldest daughter, is the widow of John Kaspar, 
wlio died in Graham Township December 26, 1891; 
Fred married Kate Brack; John married Ida Evans; 
William married Minnie Evans; Frank, Phillip, 
Anna, Henry, Edward and Charles, the six young- 
est, are still at home with their parents. Two little 
ones passed away in infancy. 

The estimable wife of our subject was of Ger- 
man parentage, both her parents, Joseph and Ann 
(Sleighter) Forwald, having been born in Ger- 
many. P^migrating to America, they located in 
Johnson County in 1843, and settling in Graham 
Township, made that part of the State their per- 
manent home, and there the father died in 18.''>7. 
Mr. and Mrs. Forwald were the parents of eight 
children, of whom Mrs. Fuhrmiester is the eldest. 

Mr. Fuhrmiester has made farming the avoca- 
tion of his life, and is thoroughly at home in 
every detail of agricultural work. An experienced 
tiller of the soil, he has successfully brought his 
large acreage to a fine state of cultivation, and 
annually reaps an abundant harvest, repaying him 
amply for time and labor invested. As a stock- 
raiser he has profitably bred a superior grade of 
both cattle and horses, and the excellent improve- 
ments, substantial and commodious residence, 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



161 



barns and other buildings, well attest the fluancial 
ability and good management of the owner of 
the attractive homestead. Our subject and his 
family occupy positions of usefulness and influ- 
ence in Newport Township, and are universally 
respected and esteemed bj' a large circle of life- 
time friends, associates and neighbors. As an in- 
telligent citizen of upright character, Mr. Fuhr- 
miester is widely known, having throughout his 
entire career been an ardent advocate of right 
and justice, and a ready and liberal aid in behalf 
of local enterprise and improvements. 



i)<T^^d 



?RANK BANKS COLSON, editor and mana- 
ger of the Marengo Itepuhlwan. In Amer- 
ican communities, more than in those of 
any other countr}' in the world, the sentiments, 
the hopes, the aspirations and the progress of the 
people find their reflex in the daily or weekly 
journals which represent them. Americans are 
pre-eminently a newspaper reading people, and no 
sooner does a community reach to tiie proportions 
of a village than there appears some adventurous 
editor readj' to champion its cause, to exult over 
its fortunes, to proclaim its interests, and to de- 
mand redress for its injuries. In each and all of 
these respects Marengo has found a worthy cham- 
pion in Frank Banks Colson, the able and eflicient 
editor and manager of the Marengo Republican, 
who is justly considered one of the ablest young 
journalists of the State. He was born in Marengo, 
in July, 1867, his parents being Joseph and Rosa 
(Beardshear) Colson, the former a native of Ind- 
iana and the latter of Ohio. They may, however, 
bo classed among tiie early settlers of Iowa and are 
still residents of Marengo. 

Frank Banks Colson was the eldest of the six 
children born to his parents. He was reared in the 
town of his birth and graduated from the High 
School in 1886, after which he devoted his atten- 
tion to the study of law and attended to collections 
with D. H. Wilson. In March, 1888, he became 



local editor of the Marengo Repithlican, in which 
capacity his journalistic ability soon manifested 
itself in the progressive tone and increased circu- 
lation of the paper. He soon had the entire busi- 
ness management of the paper, and after the death 
of Mr. Spering, he became editor and general man- 
ager, and has so continued up to the present time. 

The Republican is the oldest paper in the county, 
having been established in 1856, under the name 
of the loiva Valley Visitor, and upon its purchase 
by Messrs F. E. Spering & Crenshaw, the name 
was changed to the Marengo Republican. In 1884, 
Mr. Crenshaw severed his connection with the 
paper and Mr. Spering then became its sole owner, 
it is a weekly nine-column folio, and is a conspic- 
uous representative of all that is progressive in 
journalism and a strong advocate of the princi- 
ples of the Republican party of the Nation; it 
also has a very important influence in the local 
councils of the party. It is especially notable for 
the completeness and excellence of its local news 
features, and it is also distinguished for the em- 
phatic way in which it speaks its opinion of abuses 
in the management of local aff'airs. The general 
tone of the paper is pure and wholesome and it is 
a welcome visitor in man}- homes throughout the 
county. A paying business is done in job work. 

Mr. Colson was married in St. Louis, Mo., June 
16, 1892, to Miss Jlary E. Sullivan, who was born, 
reared and educated in that city. Socially, Mr. 
Colson belongs to the Knights of Pythias, and the 
Sons of Veterans, Daniel Talbott Camp No. 207. 



ylLLIAM F. CONKLIN. The career of this 
able jurist has, like that of so many dis- 
tinguished men, been marked b}- early 
struggles, but his own strong intellect, properly 
used, coupled with unwearying industry, overcame 
all impediments to his progress and he is now one 
of the foremost members of the Iowa City Bar. 
His entire course through life has been marked b^' 
great honesty and fidelity of purpose, as well as by 



162 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



sincere anfl effective service to those whom he has 
been called upon to represent in different capaci- 
ties. He is a member of the well-known firm of 
Slater & Conklin, the name of which is identified 
with all that is honorable, enterprising and able. 
Mr. Conklin was born in Cedar County, Iowa, 
August 22, 1851, his parents being Demas and 
Sarah (Payn) Conklin, the former of whom was 
born in the Buckeye State, but who became a res- 
ident of Iowa in 1837, his first residence within 
the borders of the same being in Muscatine. After 
remaining there a short time he removed to Cedar 
County, which place continued to be his home un- 
til 1852, at which time he took up his residence on 
a farm in Johnson Count}'. The paternal grand- 
father, Peter J. Conklin, was a native of the State 
of Maryland and of Scotch-Irish extraction. 

In his boj'hood days William F. Conklin found 
ample guidance for his mental growth in the public 
schools of Johnson Count}' and from those institu- 
tions of learning he entered the State University 
of Iowa, which he attended until his graduation, 
during which time his record as a faithful and 
painstaking student was creditable. He graduated 
from the law department of the State Universit}' 
of Iowa in 1873, after which he decided to locate 
for the prosecution of his profession in Taylor 
County, Iowa, but after a very short residence 
there returned to Johnson County, in December, 
1876, and opened a law office in Iowa City, prac- 
ticing alone for some time. In 1889, he formed a 
partnership with John W. Slater, since which time 
the firm of Slater <fe Conklin has made name and 
fame for itself. Mr. Conklin was First Assistant 
Secretar}' of the State Senate in the Twenty-fourth 
General Assembly, making a ver}' faithful and 
efficient official. He has always been a stanch 
Democrat in politics and was a candidate for 
nomination on the Democratic ticket for Auditor 
of the State, for which office he was defeated by 
Mr. Van Dyck, of Tama County. 

In the practice of his profession Mr. Conklin 
has rapidly gathered about him a large and exten- 
sive practice, requiring his attention in federal. 
State and district courts. In conducting a case in 
court, he is cool, quiet and dignified, and he is at 
all times courteous and considerate towards his op- 



ponent and associates, always treating them with 
deference and respect, but he does not suffer the 
slightest point to escape his vigilance. He is a 
convincing speaker and when absorbed in the in- 
terests of his case he loses sight of all else, and his 
arguments carry conviction with them. 

In 1874, his union with Miss Anna B. Keen 
took place, she being a native of Rochester, Ind., 
of which State her father was a worth}- resident. 
They were the parents of six children, three of 
whom are living: Gertrude C, Maude I. and Ethel 
G. Eddie Pearl died at the age of fifteen years; 
Beulah P. is deceased; and one died in infancy. 
They have a pleasant residence at the corner of 
Fairchild and Linn Streets, which place has become 
well known for the hospitality of a generous and 
unostentatious kind that is displayed within its 
portals. They move in the most select circles of 
society, and with justice are regarded as among 
the substantial families of the city. For two years 
our subject served as City Attorney of Iowa City. 
He is a member of the Executive Committee of 
the Democratic Society of Iowa and also served as 
the first Secretary of the organization, being one 
of the organizers. 



1>^^<I 



Wl OSEPH SLEZAK, the energetic and popular 
proprietor of Slezak Hall, Hotel, and Gro- 
cery, located at No. 304 Bloomington Street, 
Iowa City, Iowa, has for over twenty-two 
years occupied his present business stand and is 
widely known and esteemed, not only in the city 
but throughout the surrounding communities of 
Johnson County. Our subject was born in Bohe- 
mia February 19, 1847, and was the son of John 
Slezak, a Bohemian farmer, who emigrated to 
America with his family in 1855, and arriving safe 
within the borders of the New World journeyed 
to the AVest and located in Linn County, Iowa, 
but after a long sojourn in that part of the State 
removed to Johnson County, which he made his 
permanent home until his death at sixty-four years 
of age. The mother, Anna (Sichra) Slezak, was 





CA^-^Lyt.-^ 




)^-i^^i^u/- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



165 



a native of Bohemia and now resides in Cedar 
Rapids. Mr. and Mrs. John Slezali were the par- 
ents of ten children, of whom Joseph was the sec- 
ond in order of birth. 

Our subject was about eight years of age when 
he came with his parents to America, but liad no 
opportunity for securing an education. Arriv- 
ing at mature age he was united in marriage in 
the year 1870 with Miss Eva, the daughter of 
John Til, a native of the Fatherland. For a brief 
time our subject and his estimable wife remained 
in Linn County, but in the latter part of 1870 
they made their home in Johnson County, Mr. 
Slezak then entering into his present business and 
becoming not only proprietor and landlord of the 
well-known .Slezak Hall and Hotel, but also taking 
charge of a large and profitable grocer}' trade. The 
handsome hotel and hall arc located upon the old 
site of the Iowa City Deaf and Dumb Asylum. 
The hotel is a fine and commodious brick building, 
three stories in height and conveniently arranged 
and attractively furnished, and has the hall upon 
the top Boor. 

Our subject has made a success of the grocery- 
business, enjo3'ing an extensive custom, while as a 
landlord his genial manners and attention to the 
wants and comforts of his guests insure him the 
ready appreciation of local patronage and of the 
traveling public. Mr. Slezak also owns a valuable 
farm of eighty acres in Lucas Township, and 
through his enterprising industry and strict atten- 
tion to business details has steadily won his way 
upward and accumulated a comfortable compe- 
tence. The home of our subject and his worth}- 
wife has been brightened by the birth of a large 
family of children, twelve in number, and of the 
sons and daughters nine yet survive. John was 
the eldest-born but is now deceased; Anna is the 
wife of Joseph Holub; then follow Frank V., 
who is the eldest living son and a promising young 
man, and George; William was accidentally shot; 
Matilda, Bertha, John J., Ella, Alma, Leopold and 
Jaroslav complete the list of brothers and sisters, 
of whom the surviving will all be worthily fitted 
by home training and a good education to occupy 
with ability any position of usefulness or influ- 
ence to which they may be called. 



Politically, Mr. Slezak is a strong Democrat and 
a firm supporter of that party. Fraternally, he is 
connected with Lodge No. 6, I. O. O. F., and is a 
member of Lodge No. 4, A. O. U. W.,and affiliates 
with the Slovanska Lipa, and with Lodge No. 75, 
C. S. P.S.,and within and without these numerous 
and honorable oi'ders has a host of sincere friends, 
who thoroughly appreciate his upright character, 
straightforward business dealing and integrity of 
purpose, which have uniformly distinguished his 
course in life and gained him the high regard and 
confidence of the general public. 






'^W(\ E. SWISHER is a prominent attorney-at- 
,@//Jj| law, and also President of the Citizens' 
Savings & Trust Company of Iowa City. 
His residence, which is neat and attract- 
ive, situated in the midst of pleasant surround- 
ings, is located at No. 305 Summit Street. Our 
subject was born in this county on a farm near 
Iowa City, March 6, 1855, and is the second son 
of Benjamin and Elizabeth (Smith) Swisher. 

The father was a native of Ohio, born near 
Columbus in 1821, and was reared a farmer. In 
1839 he came to Iowa, and in the following year 
located in Johnson County on a farm, where he 
engaged in general agriculture and stock-raising. 
During his last years he resided with his son, our 
subject, and departed this life in 1887, leaving 
many friends to mourn his loss. His wife, our 
subject's mother, was born in Providence, R. I., in 
1819, being a daughter of James and Cynthia 
Smith, who were of English descent. 

On the paternal side, A. E. Swisher is of Ger- 
man origin. His boyhood was passed on his fa- 
ther's farm, and his education was acquired in the 
common schools of the neighborhood. Later, he at- 
tended the State University of Iowa, at Iowa City, 
from which institution he was graduated in the 
Class of '72, after which he entered the law de- 
partment of the same university, graduating with 
the degree of Master of Arts in 1874. He at once 
located in Iowa City, and was soon made local at- 



166 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



torney for the Chicago & Rock Island Raih'oad, 
for the Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Northern 
Railway', and also for the Chicago, Milwaukee St 
St. Paul line. From the first start in his profession 
lie evinced marked ability and clear judgment, 
thus bringing to him a large patronage. He became 
interested in banking and helped to organize the 
C'itizens' Savings it Trust Company in 1883, of 
which he was elected its first cashier. Four years 
later he was made President of the same bank, 
which position he still occupies. This institution 
does a general banking business and is considered 
one of the substantial financial institutions of the 
county. 

In Des Moines was celebrated the wedding of 
Mr. Swisher and Miss Ida F. Ingalls, the event 
taking place in June, 1879. Mrs. Swisher is a 
daughter of the Rev. P. P. Ingalls, a prominent 
minister of the Methodist Cliurch. Our subject 
and wife have been blessed with a family of four 
children, three daughters and one son, namely: 
Esther, Alice, Helen and Ingalls. Our subject 
owns a good farm, in the cultivation of which he 
takes considerable interest. He is a stanch Demo- 
crat, and active in local and county politics. Since 
his early years he has been i)romincntly identified 
with the progress and welfare of Johnson County, 
and has been a witness of vast changes within its 
borders as the march of civilization has moved 
steadily forward. His principal business is the prac- 
tice of law, and he is recognized as being among 
the able lawyers of this part of the State. He 
is regarded as especially able in corporate, chan- 
cery or equity- practice, and also devotes much of 
his time to the management and care of large 
financial interests. 



•S^ 



^^EOROE W. WATSON. Among the promi- 
[|| ,-— , nent farmers and esteemed old settlers of 
^^Jj) Clear Creek Township, Johnson County, 
Iowa, is the gentleman whose name opens the 
present sketch. His fine farm of one hundred 
and ninety-five acres of land is located upon sec- 



tion 26, where he now enjoj's life in his declining 
3'ears. For him the active life of the agriculturist 
is at an end. In his day he performed his full 
duty to his family and the community, and may 
now look backward with pleasant memories. He 
was born in Columbiana County, Ohio, October 20, 
1819, and was a son of Jacob Watson, who was 
also a native of Columbiana County, and was well 
known in that locality, having been the first Tax 
Collector of the county. The grandfather of our 
subject, John Watson, was a native of Pennsyl- 
vania, and removed from there to Ohio in 1802. 

The father of our subject, above referred to, be- 
came a soldier in the War of 1812, serving under 
Gen. Harrison as an oflicer. Although his death 
occurred in 1833, while he wasyetacomparatively 
young man, he had held the office of SherilT for 
the preceding eight years, had accumulated wealth 
until his financial standing was of the best in the 
count}', and was a prominent man in the ranks of 
the Jackson Democrats. His ancestry was an admix- 
ture of Scotch-I^nglish and New York blood. The 
mother of our subject bore the maiden name of 
IJeulah Warrington, and was born in New Jersey, 
of Quaker parentage. Her death occurred in 1842, 
she having been the mother of nine children, all 
of whom grew to maturity. 

The names of the brothers and sisters of our sub- 
ject may be recorded as follows: Rebecca, who be- 
came the wife of Daniel Dorwart, of Lancaster, 
Pa.; our subject; Mary Jane, deceased; John, who 
resides in Ohio; Sarah Ann, who is the widow of 
R, Ruggles, of AYisconsiu; David, who resides in 
Lewiston, Idaho; and Joseph W., who is one of the 
prominent miners of Denver, Colo. Our subject 
was born the second member of the family, and 
was reared in his native place until 1855. He had 
the advantages of a common-school education, and 
grew to manhood employed in the duties which gen- 
erally fall to the eldest son in a large family. He was 
married August 6, 1843, to Miss Ellen Conover, 
also a native of Columbiana County, Ohio. She 
was born December 16, 1822, and was the daughter 
of John and Elizabeth (Boyles) Conover. 

The father of Mrs. Watson was of German de- 
scent, and the mother of Irish. After marriage, 
our subject located in Hanover, Ohio, where he 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



167 



worked at the tailor's trade, carrying on tliis busi- 
ness until 1855, when he removed to Johnson 
Count}', Iowa, and located in Genoa Bluff, where 
he engaged with his brother Jacob in a general 
store, remaining for about three years. Then he 
located at Pokertown, Fremont Township, Johnson 
County, where he conducted a general store for 
the next three years, selling out to engage in farm- 
ing at Lone Tree, where he remained for two 
j'ears. Following this our subject removed to 
Iowa City, in order to educate his children. In 
\8R5 the family removal was made to this place. 
The family of Mr. "Watson consisted of nine chil- 
dren, five daughters and four sons, their names 
being: Elizabeth, Sarah, George, .Tennie, Artie, 
Porter (deceased), John W., Frank and Adell.a. 
Mr. Watson has a farm of one hundred and nine- 
ty-five acres of land, which has been under culti- 
vation ever since he resided here. In his political 
belief, he is a Republican, and has filled the offices 
of Justice of the Peace, Trustee and Director of 
the schools very acceptably for a long time. With 
his family he claims membership with the Christian 
Church, and in the neighboliodd his name is one 
universally esteemed. 



3ls^®!^l^^ 



JOHN p.. BRYAN, the subject of our sketch, 
executes the duties of that most difhcult of 
positions, a Justice of the Peace, to the sat- 
isfaction of all reputable citizens and to the 
terrorof evil-doers at Grinnell, Poweshiek County, 
Iowa. He was born in Schaghticoke, Rensselaer 
County, N. Y., June 21, 1835, being the son of 
Benjamin K. Bryan, wlio was born in 1801, at the 
same place as his son, and the grandson of Richard 
Ihyan, a native of Massachusetts, a farmer and a 
(Quaker and a pioneer settler of Rensselaer County. 
Tlie Br^'ans come of a brave Irish stock, their an- 
cestors leaving the Old Country at the time of re- 
ligious persecution in that country. 

Benjamin K., the father, was an hotel-keeper 
for some time and then became a farmer. He re- 



moved to Scott County, Iowa, where he remained 
until 1885, when he came to Grinnell, and died in 
1887 in the house of our subject, aged eighty -six 
years. When a resident of New York he served 
as a Justice of the Peace, filling the position to the 
general satisfaction of good citizens. The motlier 
of our subject, Ellen D. (Bradshaw) Bryan, daugh- 
ter of John Bradshaw, was born in Saratoga 
County, N. Y., and her grandfather, William Br.ld- 
shaw, emigrated from Ireland to New York, being 
a member of the Established Church in the Old 
Country and of the same church in New York. 

John Bradshaw was a worthy farmer of Saratoga 
County, where he resided until his death, his wife, 
Rebecca Knickerbocker, being a native of Rensse- 
laer County, and the daughter of John Knicker- 
bocker, who came from Holland and settled on the 
Hudson Flats, in Rensselaer County, where he be- 
came a large land-owner and a wealthy man and 
was a Colonel in the Revolutionary AVar. The 
mother of our subject died at Grinnell in the 
faith of the Episcopal Church in 1889, aged sev- 
enty-eight. She was the mother of five children, one 
dying quite young, namely: our subject; George 
A., who was first a three-months volunteer, then a 
First Lieutenant in the One Hundred and Twentj'- 
fifth New Y'ork Infantry, and in 1864 was killed in 
the battle before Petersiburg; Leonard R., a farmer 
at Lawrence, Douglas County, Kan.; and Lydia 
wife of W. F. Wait, of Auburn, N. Y. 

Our subject was reared in New York on the 
farm and enjoyed the advantage of good schools 
in Granville and at the academy in AVashington 
County; after which he was clerk for three years 
at Albany and Troy, and then became a farmer. He 
went to Davenport, Iowa, and engaged in farm- 
ing in 1857, remaining there until 1885, when he 
located at Grinnell, where he built, the first sum- 
mer, two fine residences. He was elected Justice of 
the Peace in 1891 and again in 1892, and has made 
Grinnell his home until the present time. Mr. 
Bryan was married in Scott County in 1858 to 
Miss Mary L. Nutting, who was born in Rensse- 
laer County and died in 1886. She was the mo- 
ther of four children: Ellen E., wife of Phillip 
Cardinell, of Grinnell; John B., Jr., a carriage 
painter; George A., a painter and paper hanger 



168 



POxtTRAlT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



residing in Lincoln, Neb.; and Charles B., a clerk 
in Grinnell, Iowa. Mr. Bryan is a Republican, 
having given that party a hearty suiiport ever 
since he attained his majority. 



^f OHN DONALDSON, a dealer in agricultural 
implements and coal at Marengo, Iowa, and 
an extensive and well-known stockman of 
' the county, is a Pennsj'lvanian by birth, 
having been born at Old Hickory, Washington 
County, February 19, 1830. He is a son of Henr3' 
W. and a grandson of John Donaldson, the former 
of whom was born in Washington County, Pa., 
and the latter in Ireland, of Scotch parents. John 
Donaldson came to America and took up his resi- 
dence in Pennsylvania, where he cleared and im- 
proved a farm of three hundred and fortj' acres, 
but died at Freedom, Beaver Count}-, Pa., a mem- 
ber of the Presbyterian Church. Henry W. Don- 
aldson, like his father, became a tiller of the soil, 
and in 1830 removed with his family by wagon to 
Wayne Count}^ Ohio, where he was engaged in 
farming and milling near Odel's Lake. Later 
he removed to near Youngstown, Ohio. He 
was a Democrat in politics and a member of the 
Christian Church. His wife was Jane Laird, who 
was born near Cork, Ireland, a daughter of James 
Laird, also a native of the Emerald Isle, who after- 
wards became a farmer in the State of Pennsyl- 
vania. Mr. and Mrs. Donaldson became the par- 
ents of three sons and six daughters, of whom 
John was the eldest and is now one of the seven 
surviving members. The two brothers, Samuel 
and Alexander, weie Union soldiers during the 
war, the former serving throughout the struggle, 
and the latter three 3'ears. 

John Donaldson resided on an Ohio farm from 
the time he was six months old until he reached 
tlie age of twelve years, and from that time until 
eighteen years old lived in Beaver County, Pa., 
during which time he obtained a common-school 



education. At the age of eighteen years he re- 
turned to Wayne County, Ohio, but at that time 
was taken withthe"gold fever," joined a company 
and started on the overland journey with ox-teams 
to California. Mr. Donaldson stopped in Salt Lake 
City for ten days, then walked until he caught 
up with the wagon train. In crossing the plains 
they unfortunately lost four of their five yoke of 
oxen. They eventuall}' reached Placerville, where 
they began prospecting, and later on a fork of 
the Yuba River. At the end of one year he re- 
turned to Ohio, via San Francisco and the Isthmus 
of Panama to New Orleans. During the year 1851 
he farmed and was there married in 1852 to Miss 
Sarah Weiker, a native of Wa3'ne Countj', and 
two years after his marriage, he came to Iowa by 
team and wagon, first residing on a farm ten 
miles west of Iowa City in Johnson Count}'. Af- 
ter farming there until 1858, he located in Iowa 
Township, Iowa County, where he purchased two 
hundred and forty acres of land, which he at once 
began breaking, and erected thereon a good frame 
house. This land was very rich and fertile and 
his efforts in tilling the soil were richly rewarded. 
After a time he sold all but four hundred acres of 
his land and engaged extensivelj- in buying and 
feeding stock, making a specialty of Shorthorn 
cattle, being one of the first to introduce that 
breed into the county. He paid the sum of $1,160 
for five of these animals and on numerous occa- 
sions has taken first premiums at the Iowa county 
fairs. He also raised Poland-China and Chester 
WTiite hogs and a good grade of draft horses, and 
in fact, was a practical, successful and experienced 
stockman. 

In February, 1865, while coming home from 
Johnson County with a load of wood and crossing 
the railroad track at Bush Run, he did not see the 
train coming on account of a high bank and brush 
at the cut, and when just on the track the locomo- 
tive of a heavil}' loaded freight train struck him, 
killing one of the horses, shattering his wagon 
and load to kindling wood and throwing him a 
distance of one hundred and eight feet to the 
right. He was picked up insensible, was taken to 
the residence of Emanuel Cook and a physician was 
sent for, who, upon examining his injuries and 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



169 



finding that he had broken four ribs, his collar 
bone, cheek bone and shoulder blade, pronounced 
him fatally injured. Nevertheless, his lime had 
not come and with good nursing he recovered. 
It was several days before he regained conscious- 
ness and fourteen days before he realized what had 
happened to him. However, his strong constitu- 
tion triumphed. He resumed his occupation of 
stock-buying, in connection with which he con- 
tinued farming until 1890, when he sold his farm 
and located in Marengo, in the fall of which yenv 
he began dealing in agricultural implements and 
coal, and this occupation he has found to be both 
profitable and agreeable. He also continues to 
carry on his stock basiness and is a very busy 
man. His place of business is located on Miller 
Street and the Chicago, Rock Island <fe Pacific 
Railroad, and he has a handsome residence on 
Water Street. He h.as a family of six children: 
Eliza J., Mrs. Newmire, of Sioux City; A. J., who 
is a farmer of Greonleaf, Kan.; Cordelia, Mrs. 
Fosnaugh, of Sioux City; .James M., who is mar- 
ried, resides in Marengo, and is in business with 
his fatlier; Emma V., who is in Sioux City; and 
Clifton, in Marengo. 

Mr. Donaldson was Clerk of Iowa Township for 
fourteen years, was Trustee a number of years and 
also a School Director on various occasions. He 
donated the land for the school in his district, and 
in various other ways exerted himself for the good 
of his section. The first winter that he was in 
the State he went to look for some wild land, and 
getting lost on the way home, tramped all night 
and must have gone fully twent3'-flve miles without 
seeing a house. He helped to haul the first steam 
sawmill from Davenport to Ft. Dodge and did not 
see a house for a distance of forty miles; and, not- 
withstanding the fact that the snow was tiiree feet 
deep and the weather very cold, he was compelled 
to sleep out of doors by his camp fire at night. 
He brought the first Massillon thresher ever 
brought to the county or State and it was used by 
our subject for thirteen years, being run by 
horse-power. He was also one of the first to buy 
a self-rake and a mowing-machine; in fact, he was 
decidedly progressive and up with the times in 
every respect, and wisely took advantage of every 



method for saving labor and time. At the time of 
his arrival in the county Indians were still here 
and game was quite abundant. He spent consid- 
erable time during the winter months in hunting, 
and killed two deer. He has seen the wonderful 
development of the country and no man in the 
county has done more towards bringing the region 
to its present admirable state of cultivation than 
has Mr. Donaldson, for he never hesitated to set a 
good example to his fellows. He is one of the 
highly honored residents of the county, and is 
considered nn especially successful and honorable 
man of business. Socially, he is a member of the 
Ancient Free & Accepted Masons, is a Democrat 
politically, is almost invariably a delegate to 
county conventions and was a member of the 
Democratic County Convention for years. His 
life has been one of usefulness and honor and of 
profit to himself and friends, as well as to the sec- 
tion in which he has so long made his liome. 



y I OHN .J. REES, our subject, is a farmer on 
section 27, Union Township, Jolinson 
^^ County, Iowa, who was born in North 
^/J Wales in May, 1818. He lived in the 
place of his nativity, at the home of his fatlier, 
until he was thirty-four years of age, liaving re- 
ceived in his youth the benefit of common-sclmol 
instruction. Leaving home at the time indicated, 
in 1852, he came to America and located at Wat- 
erville, N. Y. He remained in that city seventeen 
years and then, in 1869, came to .Johnson County, 
Iowa, settling upon the farm where he now re- 
sides, which had no improvements of any kind 
upon it. 

Our subject was married in NortL Wales to 
Maiy Evans, a native of that countr3', who lias 
borne him six children, namely: Robert, who died 
in New York at the age of fourteen; Mary, born 
at Waterville, the wife of David Griffith, of Iowa 
Cit3^; Samuel, born in New York, who died at the 



170 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



age of seventeen; Sarah, born in New York, wife of 
Robert M. Williams, of Union Townsliif), Johnson 
County-; George W., born in New York Septensber 
30, 18G6, and attending to his father's farm; and 
Catharine, born in Union Township, Johnson 
County, living at home. 

The fann of our subject contains one hundred 
and thirty-nine acres, ten of which are timber, 
the land being adapted to general farming and 
containing good and ample improvements. Mr. 
Rees is a member of the Farmers' Mutual Insiu-- 
ance Company. When he came to Johnson 
County he had about $60, all that has been added 
being the result of his own industry and economy. 
He is known as a farmer of more than average 
skill, with an aptitude for applying his ground to 
the best possible uses. The name of our subject 
will be found upon the roll of the Congrega- 
tional Church. As a citizen he feels a concern 
in the great political questions of the day and 
heartily works with the Republican part}-, its 
teachings being in harmony with his own views. 
Mr. Rees had the misfortune to lose his most es- 
timable wife by death Febiuary 1, 1889. She was 
held in the highest esteem by all who knew her, 
her characteristics being those well calculated to 
attach friends to her strongly. As a mother, she 
was devoted and watchful; as a wife, considerate 
and loving, and as a neighbor kind and s3'mpa- 
thetic. 



/ ♦ss;*^ 



UKE BRAVENDKR, the subject of the 
present sketch, is of English birth, but has 
JJi^^ an attachment for this country deep and 
abiding, as though it were the laud of his nativity. 
Here he has formed dear and lasting friendships, 
and here he is held in high repute. Mr. Braven- 
der resides in Grinnell, Poweshiek County, Iowa, 
to which place he came in 1876, although he has 
been a resident of the State since 1854. He was 
born in Yorkshire, near Scarborough, England, May 



24, 1820. His father, Luke Bra vender, a farmer, 
emigrated from England to America in 1822, 
coming by way of Hull to Quebec. His grand- 
father, P^dward, also born in P^ngland, was a car- 
jjentcr and joiner. 

Arthur Bravender, the great-grandfather, went 
from Ireland to England, although the Braven- 
ders were originally from Argyle, Scotland. The 
trip of the father across the ocean required six weeks 
and three days. He spent his first years in Canada, 
then engaged in farming in Clinton County, N. Y., 
on the shore of Lake Champlain, after which he 
returned to Canada and bought land in ( Juebec, 
across the line from New Y'^ork. There he farmed 
until his death, at the age of fifty-seven years. 
The mother of our subject was Rebecca (Hugill) 
Bravender, a native of Yorkshire, England, being 
the daughter of Edward Hugill, a wealthy farmer. 
Mrs. Rebecca Bravender died at the age of fifty- 
five years, having had eight children, five of 
whom are living, our subject being the second, 
and theie being three boj'S and five girls. 

Our subject lived in Clinton County until twen- 
ty-one years of age, i-eceiving a good common- 
school education. He went to Canada, remaining 
at home with the family until he was twenty- 
eight, when he farmed for himself for three years 
on a fifty-acre farm. He came to Iowa in 18.54, set- 
tling in Black Hawk County, which he reached by 
taking rail and boat to Chicago, thence by rail to 
Rock Island, and by team from there to Water- 
loo, at which place he bought two hundred and 
forty acres of Government land, wild prairie, in 
Big Creek Township, upon which he built a log 
house and added other improvements. More land 
was bought, until he had three hundred and twenty 
acres, all of which he improved, and seven years 
after he first came the log house gave way to a 
nice one of frame. 

Here our subject carried on a profitable business 
of general farming until 1876, when he traded for 
land in Kossuth County, where he now has seven 
hundred and twenty acres, all of it well improved 
and farmed by his sons. In 1876 he located at 
Grinnell, buying eighteen and one-half acres within 
the city limits. He was married at Westport, N. Y., 
in 1848, to Miss Jane Clark, a native of Yorkshire, 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



171 



England, who was reared in New York, and bore 
him six children: Albert, a fanner of Liverinore, 
Humboldt County, Iowa; Bentham B., a miller 
of Spokane Falls, Wash.; Rebecca, wife of Christo- 
pher Yarrow, of Black Hawk Count}', Iowa; Cyrus, 
a farmer of Kossuth County, Iowa; Minnie, wife 
of Henry Allan, of Grand Island; and Frank M.,a 
farmer of Kossuth County. Our subject is an 
earnest Christian man and a member of the Baptist 
Church. His political opinions are firm and de- 
cided, his atlillation being with the Republican 
{)arty, to which he gives a hearty support. 



"•{•♦•{•^'^^'•{••{••{••{•F 



^AVID D. JONES, the subject of this 
sketch, has passed from earth, but his 
memory is kept fresh by many who were 
acquainted with his kindness of heart and 
his many other good (iiialities. He was born in 
.South Wales in October, 1826, and came to America 
with his parents at the age of ten, in 1836. He was 
reared in Pennsylvania and was married there, 
coming to Union Township, Johnson Count}', Iowa, 
in 1866, where he bought a farm, owning at one 
time as much as three hundred acres. That he-was 
one of the very best farmers in Johnson County- 
was generally agreed, he having improved in ex- 
cellent shape a great many acres of land. He always 
raised fine crops and maintained a high degree of 
excellence in his stock. In politics, he was a Re- 
publican, actively working for his party's success; 
he held a number of township offices and was widely 
known, being esteemed by all who knew him. His 
zeal for the Congregational Church, of which he 
was a member, manifested itself in aiding in build- 
ing a house of worship, in liberal contributions to 
its maintenance, and in labors inside the church. 

The wife of our subject, Mary (Hughes) Jones, 
was born in Montgomeryshire, North Wales, Nov- 
ember 11, 1831, being the daughters of Hugh 
and Margaret Hughes, the former a native of 
North Wales, who came to America in 1811, and 
located in Cambria County, Pa., where he was a 



farmer and ended his days. The mother was 
born in Montgomeryshire, North Wales, and 
died at the age of sixty-seven, years, in Penn- 
sylvania, having been the mother of eight chil- 
dren, the sons and daughters being numerically the 
same, Mrs. Jones being the sixth child and the sec- 
ond daughter. She came to this country when ten 
years old, and was married to Mr. Jones February 
1, 1855, in Cambria County, Pa., where they lived 
upon a farm until 1866, and then came to John- 
sou County, Iowa, locating upon the present place 
of residence. There Mr. Jones died in 1891. 

Mrs. Jones bore her husband six children, five 
daughters and one son, namely: Harry, who died 
in 1856, at the age of two months; Margaret, who 
was born in 1856, and died in 1863; Melinda, the 
widow of Robert Thomas, living in Union Town- 
ship; Annie D., who was born in 1865, attended 
the Academy and Commercial College of Iowa 
City, graduating from the latter, and now a teacher 
in District 6, Union Township, and living with her 
mother; Elizabeth, who was born in 1869, and is 
in her third year at the University at Iowa City; 
and Ella J., a graduate in June, 1892, of the Acad- 
emy and now a student in the University at Iowa 
City. Mrs. Jones took charge of the farm upon 
the death of her husband and has managed it suc- 
cessfully since. It is a finely improved property, 
consisting of two hundred acres on section 24. She 
is a lady of excellent business tact and, a good mo- 
ther and kind neighbor, has many friends strongly 
attached to her for her many fine womanly (juali- 
ties. 



YRUS HUNTER. Among the many hand- 
, some farms that aie owned in West Lucas 
Township, one on section 23, is worth}' of 
especial mention, not only for its intrinsic value, 
but also because it is a monument to the industry, 
good management and sensible economy of its 
much respected owner, Cyrus Hunter. Our sub- 
ject was born in Lancaster County, Pa., April 4, 
1831, being the son of Jacob Hunter, also a native 



172 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



of Pennsylvauia, and a stone mason and contractor, 
who died in Lancaster County at about the age 
of forty-five. The father of the latter, of Ger- 
man extraction, was Isaac Hunter, who spent his 
days in the Keystone State. 

The mother of our subject, Katie (Robinson) 
Hunter, was of Iiish descent, and a native of New 
Jersey, her father being Jolin Robinson, a native 
of Virginia. The father and mother of our sub- 
ject were married in Pennsylvauia, and were the 
parents of fourteen children, our subject being 
the fourth. He was reared in Lancaster Count}', 
where lie received a good common-school educa- 
tion. He was married in his native State, in 
1850, to Eliza Ramsey, a native of Pennsylvania, 
born in Lancaster County December 11, 1826. 
Her father, William Ramsey, was a native of Ire- 
land, and her motlier, Ann (Gallagher) Ramse}-, 
was a native of Pennsylvania, and the mother of 
five children, Mrs. Hunter being the youngest. 

Mr. and Mrs. Hunter lived in Chester County, 
Pa., remaining there one 3'ear, and then settled at 
Columbia, Lancaster County, Pa., for eight years, 
during which time Mr. Hunter was an engineer 
on the Pennsylvania Central Railroad. The}' then 
came to Iowa, and located in Highland Township, 
AVashington County, on a tract of wild land he 
bought, having no improvements, and the near- 
e.st neighbor being three-fourths of a mile away. 
He built a small house, 14x24, and lived in it until 
he could raise hogs at llO per hundred to buy- 
material for a larger and better house. 

Our subject went bravely to work clearing up 
the land, taking no breathing spell until he had 
made a first-class farm, and spending here twenty 
years of his life. During this time he so prospered 
that he bought another farm and was engaged in 
the grain business at Riverside, Iowa. His present 
place of residence he bought of Gen. L. F. Ross in 
1891, and took possession of it with his family in 
March, 1892, it being a farm of one hundred and 
forty-four acres, all under cultivation except fif- 
teen acres of timber. Upon this farm he raises grain 
and stock. 

Mr. and Mrs. Hunter are the parents of five 
children, viz: William, of Omaha; .Jacob, of Linn 
County, Iowa; Katie, wife of Frank Davidson, 



of Riverside, Iowa; John living at Riverside, Iowa; 
and Alice, wife of William Ott, of Riverside. At 
one period of his life, our subject was a member 
of the order of Odd Fellows, and is interested 
in the great questions dividing the political parties 
of the countrj', and lends his hearty support to the 
Democrats. 



(^$)HOMAS RAINSBURG. Among the promi- 
f([^^ nent and leading agriculturists of Powe- 
\^y shiek County is our subject, who makes his 
home on section 23, Bear Creek Township, near the 
city of Brooklyn. He also owns one hundred and 
sixty acres west of that place, and is thoroughly 
familiar with all the details of carrying on a farm. 
He has occupied a number of important local posi- 
tions, having served as Mayor of Brooklyn, and 
having been for several terms a Justice of the 
Peace. He is a leading Mason and Odd Fellow, 
and is also a charter member of the Ancient Free 
<fe Accepted Masons of Brooklyn. 

The birthplace of Mr. Raiusburg was in Holmes 
County, Ohio, and the date of that event Janu- 
ary 25, 1829. He is a son of William and Mar- 
garet (Maxwell) Rainsburg, the former a native 
of Jefferson Countj', Ohio, and the latter of Vir- 
ginia. Our subject's grandfather, John Rainsburg, 
was a soldier in the War of the Revolution, en- 
listing from Virginia. He was well educated in 
both the English and German languages. His 
wife, formerly Miss Miller, bore him a family of 
five sons and one daughter. In order of birth 
they were as follows: Adam, John, Jacob, Thomas, 
William and Maiy. They all lived to mature years 
and were married, with the exception of Thomas, 
who was drowned while bathing when a lad. 
The grandfather of our subject was a Lutheran in 
religious belief, and first came to Ohio in 1803, be- 
ing one of the earliest settlers in Jefferson County. 
From there he removed to Carroll County, where 
he engaged in farming until old age approached. 
He lived to be extremely old, at the time of his 






c^ylcM-- /^^t^^-^^^-^^ 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



175 



death, being about ninety-two years old. He was 
twice married, his first wife dying only a few years 
after their arrival in Ohio. To his second union 
were born two sons and three daughters: George, 
Abraham, Catherine, Susan and Ann, all of whom 
lived to mature years and married. 

William Rainsburg was born March 24, l804,in 
Jefferson County, Ohio, and later removed to Car- 
roll Count}', Ohio, where he was married. In 1828 
he went to Holme's County, in the same State, 
where be improved a farm. He was a Whig, and 
later a Republican until 18G8, when he was called 
to the home beyond. His first wife, our subject's 
mother, was born in Virginia, February 15, 1804, 
being a daughter of John and Ruth (Cypherd) 
Maxwell, the former of whom was a pioneer 
farmer of tiie Buckeye State. To Mr. and Mrs. 
William Rainsburg were born eleven children: 
Isabel M., John C, Thomas, Mary, Sarah E., Ruth, 
James P., David M., M.iggie J., Charlotte, and 
Jacob, who died in childhood. James P. served 
during the War of the Rebellion in the Nineteenth 
Odio, dying at Bowling Green in the spring of 
1862. After the death of our subject's mother, his 
fatlier married again. Miss Platz becoming his wife 
in 1861. 

Thomas Rainsburg, of whom this is a brief life 
record, was brought up as a farmer's boy, and 
early learned the proper management and care of 
the farm. He received a common-school educa- 
tion, and being intellectually quick and a hard 
student, began teaching when eighteen years of 
age, and continued in that occupation for three 
terms. He then learned w.agon-making, still teach- 
ing during the winter season, and worked at his 
trade more or less until 1875. As early as 1853 he 
came to this county, and has resided in the vicin- 
ity of or in Brooklyn ever since. He first taught 
school, and for about three years worked at what- 
ever he could find to do. In 1856 he opened a 
wagon shop in Brooklyn, which was the first one 
establislied in the county. In 1875 our subject 
was elected County Treasurer on the Republican 
ticket, which position he filled for six years, and, 
as previously stated, he has also served his fellow- 
citizens as Justice and Ma3'or. 

April 30, 1857, was celebrated the marriage of 



Mr. Rainsburg and Lydia Hott, who was born in 
Jefferson County, Ohio, December 29, 1836, being 
a daughter of George and Susan (Patterson) Hott, 
natives of Virginia. The father was an early set- 
tler in Ohio, to which State he removed with his 
father and mother, Adams and Catherine (Deal) 
Hott. He was a wagon-maker by trade, and of 
Dutch origin. He was an active supporter of the 
Democratic party, and a leader in the Presbyterian 
Church. His death occurred in Holmes County, 
Ohio, about the year 1882. He had a family of 
eleven children: Philip, who served in the Fourth 
Iowa Cavalry; Adeline, Edith, John, Nancy, Ly- 
dia, Barbara; Henry, who died at the age of 
twelve; Jennie; George, who served in the Nine- 
teenth Ohio Regiment from the fall of 1861 until 
the close of tiie Rebellion; and Susan. A brother 
of Mr. Rainsburg, David, served in the Nineteenth 
Ohio from the beginning until the close of the 
war, and saw much hard and active service. 

To our worthy subject and his wife have been 
born six children, only two of whom, Albertus P. 
and Charles T., are yet living. Those deceased 
were: John D., William H., Frank, and adaugliter 
who died iu infancj'. In the fall of 1881 Mr. Rains- 
burg located on the tract of thirty-eight acres 
where he still resides. He was an able and effi- 
cient olHcer, discharging liis duties to his own 
credit and with satisfaction to his constituents. 
Since retiring from his ollicial position, he lias de- 
voted himself exclusively to carrying on his two 
farms, which are kept in a tlirifty and able man- 
ner. 



'I^ATIIAN IIOIT BHAINERD, a pioneer set- 
I jj tier, honored citizen, and for many years 
lASi^ the able and enterprising editor of the 
Iowa City Rcpuhlir.an, but now retired from active 
duties, has been a resident of Iowa from early 
days, and througliout the changing years has been 
intimately associated with the upward growth 
and progress of Johnson County and its capital 
city. Our subject is a native of New England 



176 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD, 



and was born in Briclgewater, N. H., January 11, 
1818. His father, Enoch Brainerd, was also a na- 
tive of the old Granite State, and combined the 
useful occupations of a farmer and blacksmith. 

The paternal grandfather was born in Con- 
necticut but lived for a time in Vermont. The 
remote ancestors of the Brainerds were of English 
birth, but emigrating to this country' in 1630, made 
their home upon the rock-bound coast of New 
England, and became well known as men of ster- 
ling wortli and patriotism. The mother of our 
subject, Theodate (Hoit) Brainerd, was a native of 
New Hampshire and a daughter of Nathan Hoit, a 
soldier of the Revolutionary War, who served 
with brave fidelity four long years, suffering the 
many privations incidental to those troublous 
times, replete with lieroic deeds. This veteran of 
1776 lived to be eighty-five years of age, and, hav- 
ing survived to witness the prosperity of the 
American nation, passed peacefully away. 

Mrs. Theodate (Hoit) Brainerd was a woman of 
more than ordinary ability and was born in San- 
bornton, N. H., in 1789, being three years her 
husband's junior, his birth having occurred in 
1786. Nathan Hoit Brainerd, named in honored 
remembrance of his maternal grandfather, passed 
his youthful days in his birthplace, Bridgewater, 
one of the most beautiful spots in the State. He 
attended the village schools and later enjoyed the 
advantage of instruction in the Holmes Plymouth 
Academy. When old enough he taught school 
two winters, and meantime had learned of his 
father the blacksmith trade, and, a natural me- 
chanic, soon became an expert in this line of work. 
After a time Mr. Brainerd entered the employ of 
Collins & Co., the Hartford axe manufacturers, who 
were running the largest plant of the kind in the 
United States. In 1845, our subject received the 
charge of forging axes, a responsible position, 
which lie held for eleven years, but in 1856, hav- 
ing long since determined to try his fortunes in 
the West, he then came to Iowa City and profit- 
ably embarked in the groceiy business, which he 
conducted for three years. 

In 1861, Mr. Brainerd received an appointment 
upon the military staff of Gov. Kirkwood and 
served in that official capacity until 1864. De- 



cember 1, 1863, he entered upon the ownership of 
the Iowa City Eepublican, and up to 1874 gave his 
entire attention to the able management and edit- 
ing of his paper, which, typographicall}' attractive 
and containing the reliable and local news of the 
day, gained a wide circulation and extended pat- 
ronage throughout Johnson County and the ad- 
joining communities of the State. Mr. Brainerd's 
facile pen long did active and valuable service, 
and in all the questions of the hour was ever the 
powerful advocate of right and justice. In editor- 
ial work he especially excelled, giving careful con- 
sideration to all matters of public interest, and in 
a graphic yet practical style presenting the same 
to the attention of his numerous readers. 

It was upon July 1, 1840, that Nathan Hoit 
Brainerd and Miss Eliza Hatch, of Blandford, 
Mass., were united in marriage. Five children 
blessed the happy home of Mr. and Mrs. Brain- 
erd, four now living. Sarah L. is the wife of 
David S. Barber, Justice of the Peace of Iowa 
City; Catherine is the wife of Prof. C. P. Rogers, 
Superintendent of Schools of Marshalltown for 
the past twenty 3'ears; Edward E. is the able ed- 
itor of the People's Paper, of Phillipsburgh, Kan.; 
and Ossian L. is Princip.al of the High School in 
Beatrice, Neb. Our subject and his estimable wife 
are the proud grandparents of fourteen grand- 
children, and in 1890, when they celebrated their 
golden wedding, welcomed to their home eleven 
grandchildren, whose bright faces gave promise of 
future usefulness and success in life. 

Mr. Brainerd politically was originally a Whig, 
and on the organization of the Republican party 
was among the first to join it and has since stead- 
fastly adhered to its principles. During the war 
he was a stanch Union man. From June 8, 1872, to 
August 13, 1876, he was Postmaster at Iowa City. 
The pleasant home residence, No. 120 Market 
Street, is the frequent scene of social gatherings 
and happy reunions of friends of other days. 
During the many years of his residence in Iowa 
City, Mr. Brainerd has alwaj'S been prominently 
identified with local enterprises and improvement, 
and with word and pen has urged the upward prog- 
ress and advancement which have made Iowa 
City the home of culture and refinement, and have 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



177 



aidefi in the promotion of tlie best interests of the 
county and State. A liberal and public-spirited 
citizen, our subject long since won and yet firmly 
holds the sincere regard of his fellow-townsmen, 
and in the evening of his days may well enjoy the 
pleasing retrospect of a most useful and prosper- 
ous life. 



eYRENE B. SMITH, our subject, is a citi- 
zen of Grinnell, Iowa, who is much re- 
spected for his honest business methods and 
exemplary life. He owns and operates a planing- 
mill under the firm name of Smith & Hayes, and 
he and his partner are entei-prising and intelligent 
business men. Mr. Smith is noted for his liberal- 
ity and open-handedness, and these qualities, uni- 
ted with many other sterling traits of character, 
have made many friends for him wherever he has 
chanced to live. He was born in Bedford, Cuya- 
hoga County, Ohio, on the 8th of May, 1833, a son 
of Sidney Smith, born in Monkton,Vt.,whose father, 
Thomas Smith, was also born in Vermont, where 
he remained all his life, engaged in farming. The 
family is of English and Welsh descent. The father 
of our subject studied medicine and graduated, re- 
ceiving his degree of M. D., after which he prac- 
ticed in Vermont for some time, and then engaged 
in farming. 

In 1832 the father bought and improved a farm 
in Ohio, which he later sold to engage in the mer- 
chandise business in Bedford, continuing until his 
retirement a short before his death, which event 
occurred when he was seventy years of age. He 
served as a township oflicial and was quite promi- 
nent in the Underground Railway', being a strong 
Abolitionist, and voting for James G. Birney. The 
church founded by Alexander Cami)bell was the 
one in which Mr. Smith held membership, and in 
which he was highly respected. The mother of 
our subject, Calista Roscoe, was also a native of 
the State of Vermont, having been born in Addi- 
son County, a daughter of Peter Roscoe, a native 



of the same State and one of the brave soldiers of 
the War of 1812. By occupation he was a car- 
penter and ship-builder and became one of the early 
settlers of Bedford, where he carried on his trade, 
dying at the age of sixty-six. The Roscoe family, 
as the name would indicate, is of French descent. 
Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Smith, 
two girls and one boy, and our subject was the 
second in order of birth. 

Our subject was reared on a farm and received 
i)is early education at the common district school 
of his neighborhood, which instruction was sup- 
plemented by a year at Hiram College, after which 
he engaged in teaching in Summit County, at 
different periods, for some time. His next venture 
was in the mercantile line as book-keeper for his fa- 
ther; then as a photographer he supported himself 
until 1856, when he went by I'ailway to Muscatine, 
Iowa, and thence by wagon to Washington County, 
where he located at the then new town of Wash- 
ington and pui'sued his calling of photographer 
until the outbreak of the Civil War. In 1862, like 
so many other brave men, he enlisted in Company 
E, Thirtieth Iowa Infantry, and was mustered 
in at Keokuk in July as Corporal. One month 
later he was sent South and was promoted to 
the rank of Second Sergeant. While South the 
regiment raided in the Yazoo expedition from 
White River to Arkansas Post; then returned and 
remained in Louisiana. Later, they were stationed 
opposite Vicksburg, and afterward engaged in the 
battles of Black River, Jackson and Champion 
Hills, following which they were in the siege of 
Vicksburg and the battle of Jackson. They then 
proceeded to Brandon, thence to Chattanooga, 
Lookout Mountain, Missionary Ridge and Ring- 
gold. The regiment then wintered in Alabama 
and in the spring started out again, being made a 
l)art of Logan's army corps. During the summer 
he participated in the battles of Ross, Dallas, 
Snake Creek Gap, Keuesaw Mountain, and Love- 
joy Station, and was in the siege of Atlanta and at 
Jonesboro. They then returned to Atlanta and 
from there went back to Lookout Mountain. He 
was witii Sherman at the taking of Savannah and 
participated in all of the Carolina battles, includ- 
ing that at Goldsboro, and was a member of the 



178 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPinCAL RECORD. 



army to which Johnston surrendered. They 
then went to Washington and participated in 
the Grand Review, after which they were 
mustered out at Davenport, Iowa. Mr. Smith 
served nearl}' three years, but July 10, 1863, he 
suffered a sunstroke in the march between Viclcs- 
burg and Jaclvson, and now draws a pension of ^12 
per month. 

After his discliarge our subject returned home, in 
September, 1865, and started in the butcher busi- 
ness in Cleveland, Ohio, where he continued un- 
til 1866, when he engaged in farming at Will- 
oughby, Ohio, where he continued until 1873, dur- 
ing which time he added dairj'ing to his agricul- 
tural pursuits. At the latter date he removed to 
Des Moines, where he engaged as the foreman of 
the one thousand acre farm, linown as the Mc- 
Laughlin Farm. In 1874 he came to Chester and 
started a cheese factory, in whicli he put in the 
necessary machinery and furnished the building, 
continuing in the business until 1880, when he 
started a cheese and prime butter factory, in wliich 
he built up a large trade, and the creamery is one 
of the oldest in the count}'. In 1891 he sold the 
machinery to the company that owned the build- 
ing, his son, E. K. Smith, being the manager. 
While in Chester he was also engaged in a general 
merchandise business, but in the same year, 1891, 
sold out to Bacon & Sears. The citizens of 
Chester made him a Justice of the Peace and also 
Clerk of the township, both of which positions he 
held for many years. While there he was a mem- 
ber of the Legion of Honor. 

In 1891 our subject located in Grinnell, but in 
a short time tired of the life of leisure he was 
leading, so in May, 1892, he purchased the Harry 
Wise planing-mill, in partnership with W. M. 
Hayes. Since purchasing Mr. Smith has enlarged 
and increased his business until it is now one of 
the leading ones of its kind in the count}'. The 
factory is 40x80 feet, is run by steam, fifteen horse- 
powjer, and the building is furnished with all the 
necessary' appliances for the conducting of a large 
and extensive planing-mill. Owing to tlie superior 
class ot work done and the business enterprise of 
the proprietors, the factor}' is in a flourishing con- 
dition. He is now successfully operating a cream- 



ery just outside the city. He will soon start a 
separator at Ewart and will use the cream at his 
creamer}' in Grinnell. Mr. Smith was married the 
first time in Washington County, in 18.')7, to Miss 
Kate Shaw, born in Pennsylvania, who died in 
Chester, leaving two children: Sidney, with liis fa- 
ther; and Elvin, the manager of the creamery at 
Chester. In 1885 he was married a second time, 
to Miss Margaret Harpster, also born in Pennsyl- 
vania. Mr. Smith is a member of the Grand Army 
of the Republic, Gordon Granger Post, in which 
he is very prominent. The Congregational Church 
finds in him a liberal supporter and he displays the 
same zeal in his religious connections that he 
exhibits in his business life. Mr. Smith believes 
that the Republican party advocates the principles 
that he fought to establish, and consoipiently sup- 
ports the candidates of that ticket at each election. 



•?-#^^-?"'^ 



#> 



11 UGH CRAWFORD, our subject, foi- the 

ifjVi past fifty years has engaged in farming in 
'k^^ Johnson County, and is well worthy oi a 
i^) i)lace in the record of its early settlers, 
for he has taken a prominent part in everything 
pertaining to the welfare of this community. He 
nows owns the greater portion of the old homestead 
formerly belonging to his father, which is situated 
on section 34, Lincoln Township. His property 
comjirises six hundred acres of valuable land, 
which has been brought under good cultivation 
and yields a goodly income to the owner. Mr. 
Crawford keeps from one hundred and twenty to 
one hundred and fifty head of cattle and upwards 
of eighty sheep, one hundred hogs and a number 
of liorses. 

Hugh Crawford, Sr., now deceased, was born in 
Glasgow, Scotland, where he was reared to mature 
years. In that country was celebrated his mar- 
riage with Janet IMcConchie, and two of their 
children, Hugh and AVilliam, were born in that 
glorious land of Burns and Wallace. About the 
year 1838, Mr. Crawford removed with his family 





L^. 




(ytXtd 




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



181 



to America, at first locating in Newburg, N. Y., 
where lie engaged in mercliandising for two years, 
after which he became a resident of Ontario, 
Canada, wliero he remained until coming to the 
West. Ill the early '50s, he started toward the 
setting sun, and on his arrival in this county en- 
tered five hundred and twenty acres of land in the 
soiitliern portion of Lincoln Township. To the 
improvement of this land he turned his atten- 
tion and well-directed energies for many years. 
He died in 1872, having the respect and friendship 
of all whom he had chanced to meet. While in 
Newburg, his son Andrew was born, and in Canada, 
Maggie H., Robert and Jessie came to bless their 
home. The two latter children died while quite 
young, in Iowa. The others are respected citizens 
of the community in which they make their home. 
The gentleman whose name heads this sketch 
was born in Scotland, September 1, 1836, and was 
married in Iowa Citj' to Miss Lovina Maekej', by 
whom he has a family of four living children: 
Jennie M., Mary M., George R. and Maggie L; Allie 
died at the age of five years. Mr. Crawford is thor- 
oughly independent in regard to political questions, 
anil prefers voting for the nominee who represents 
what lie believes are the measures best calculated 
to advance the interests of all. He was reared in 
the faitli of the old Scotch-Presbyterian Church, 
to which he is still greatly attached. For twelve 
years he served as Justice of the Peace in Lincoln 
Township. Twice he was elected and failed to 
qualify. In 1892 he was again elected Justice in 
this township. 



II@^@I^|S.^^ 



ON. MOSES BLOOM is a retired merchant, 
capitalist and Vice-President of the John- 
son County Savings Bank, of Iowa City. 
The best biography of an honorable and 
influential man is sure to be his own works. The 
simple recital of prominent events in the life of 
Mr. Bloom need not be elaborated by the bio- 
graphical writer, and the personality of names. 



places and dates is important only as they enable 
the reader to trace the steps of his mental growth. 

The birth of our subject occurred March 27, 
1834, in Alsace, France, now comprised within the 
limits of Germany. He received a good college 
education, and when still quite young concluded 
to leave his native land and seek his fortune in 
the more highly favored United States. Leaving 
Germany in 1849, he was fifty-four days upon the 
bosom of the broad Atlantic. He sailed from the 
port of Ilavieand on his arrival at his destination. 
New York City, he at once obtained employment 
in a wholesale notion house. From that pLace he 
went to Lafayette, lud., where he clerked in a 
clothing store for two 3'ears, coming to Iowa Cit}' 
in the fall of 1857. Soon after he entered the 
store of Isaac Kahn,a clothing merchant, as a clerk, 
and so economical, careful and industrious was he, 
that at the end of one year he purchased the store 
of his employer and continued in that business at 
the same stand very successfully for twenty-seven 
years, when he sold out and has since devoted him- 
self to other interests. 

For over thirty years Mr. Bloom has held various 
important offices in the gift of the people. On April 
2, 1860, he was elected Alderman from the Second 
Ward of the city, and was a candidate for Mayor 
in 1871, being defeated by only fourteen votes. 
A j'ear later he ran for the same position and was 
again defeated, this time by seven votes. In 1873 
he returned to his native land on a visit and upon 
his return from Europe was elected Mayor of Iowa 
City, in the spring of 1874, by a large majority. 
He was afterward solicited to be a candidate for 
re-election, but declined the honor. In 1876, Mr. 
Bloom was a candidate for the Legislature, but was 
defeated by C. W. McCune. Two j'ears later he 
was elected to that responsible position, and in 
1879 was re-elected. In all the offices of honor 
and trust he has been called upon to fill, he has 
been faithful and honest in the performance of his 
duties. During his first term in the Legislature 
he took an active part in opposing the repeal of 
the Railroad Granger Tariff Bill, and also, with 
Hon. George Paul, was instrumental in securing to 
the State University its first annual endowment of 
$20,000, a thing which had often been tried, but 



182 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



never before with success. He was active in his op- 
position to the Prohibitory Constitutional Amend- 
ment, and was a member of tlie Committee on 
Temperance and of the Executive Committee of tlie 
State Anti-Prohibition Organization. Mr. Bloom 
was appointed on the committee to investigate 
charges of fraud against the Warden of the State 
Penitentiary at Ft. Madison, but declined because 
it was necessary for him to be present all the time 
in the House, to aid in securing necessary legisla- 
tion for the interest of his constituents. At the 
Council Bluffs Convention he was nominated for 
Lieutenant-Governor on the Democratic ticket, 
but promptl}- declined. In 1885, he was elected 
State Senator, serving for four years, and bore a 
prominent part in the legislation of that period. 
He served on several important committees, on one 
of which he was Chairman, although the Senate 
was Republican. Mr. Bloom is recognized as among 
the prominent Democrats of tlie State of Iowa, and 
his counsel is sought by the representative men of 
his party in the State in forming the polic3' of 
the party. 

In all public improvements, Mr. Bloom has ever 
taken a lively interest, and is one of the leading 
and substantial linancial men of Iowa Citj', being 
recognized as one of the very few large tax-payers 
of this section of country. He is a broad-gauged 
man of business and affairs, and all enter- 
prises in which he has engaged have succeeded as 
the result of his wise foresight. No man has been 
more potential in developing the business and 
financial enterprises of Iowa City than has Hon. 
Moses Bloom. One thing particularly has been 
told the writer by many business men — that the 
word of Moses Bloom has ever been regarded 
as as good as his bond. He holds membership with 
several Masonic fraternities, liaving attained to 
the thirty-second degree in Masonry, and is also a 
prominent member of the Independent Order of 
Odd Fellows, being one of the charter members of 
Teutonia Lodge. lie is Vice-President of the .John- 
son County Savings Bank and a member of the 
Executive Committee; w.as President of the Iowa 
Alcohol Works, and a member of the Board of 
Trade of Iowa City and a stockholder in the Cit- 
izens' Savings and Trust Company. In short, Mr. 



Bloom has ever been industrious and honorable in 
his various business and ofticial positions, thus 
winning. the confidence and high regard of a large 
circle of social, political and financial friends. He 
has just completed the finest residence in the city, 
and one of the best in tlie State, one which is built 
on the most modern plan and furnished elegantly. 



If^ R. THOMAS M. HEDGES, our subject, is a 
I 11) wortiiy citizen and skilled plij-sician and 
^i^ pharmacist of Grinnell, Poweshiek Count^^ 
Iowa, whose merits as a man and experience as a 
ph3'sician and surgeon have gained for him a large 
business and practice, as well as the confidence 
and the esteem of the community in which he 
lives. He was born in Belleville, Washington 
County', Pa.,.lune 15, 18.38, a son of Rezin Hedges, 
born in Washington County, Pa., but the grand- 
father, Thomas Hedges, was born in Maryland, 
and became a farmer of that State before ho re- 
moved to Washington County, Pa., which migra- 
tion took place at an early date. He improved a 
farm and reared the father of our subject to his 
own calling, that of farming. The latter pursued 
an agricultural calling in his native count}', but 
later removed to Greene County, Pa., settling near 
AVaynesburg, where he followed farming upon 
one hundred and seventy acres of land. 

In 1855 he removed to Iowa and located near 
Sheridan, Lucas County, where he had bought 
land in 1851 and improved a farm, afterward re- 
moving to Derby, where liis death occurred, when 
he had reached the age of seventy-five years. His 
religious faith, as was that of his wife, was that of 
the Methodist Epi-scopal Church, in which he w.asa 
faithful member. The mother of our subject, Eliza 
(Matthews)Hedges, was born in Washington Coun- 
ty, Pa., a daughter of Charles Matthews, born in 
Philadelphia, Pa., a pioneer of Washington Coun- 
ty. The mother resides in Derby, with a daughter, 
and enjoys life at the age of eighty-one years. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



183 



Seven children were born to these parents, five of 
whom were girls and two boys, all of whom are 
living, and of these our subject is the eldest son and 
second child. The childhood of our subject was 
passed on a farm in Pennsylvania until 1855, 
when he attended the public schools and the 
Green Academy at Carmichael's, after which he 
taught school two or three winters in Lucas Coun- 
ty, working in the summer on a farm. 

In 1859 our subject began the study of medi- 
cine under the preceptorship of Dr. Hughes, of Keo- 
kuk, and in 1860-Gl attended the Keokuk Medical 
College; but in Julj', 1861, he volunteered in the 
service of his country, entering Company B, Sixth 
Iowa Infantry. They were mustered in at Bur- 
lington, thence went to Keokuk, where he was act- 
ing regimental hospital steward, and were then sent 
South to Shiloh, where our subject was placed on 
detached dut3' as a dispensar3' steward, and occu- 
pied that position in the Overton General Hospital, 
at Memphis, where he dressed wounds for a long- 
while, obtaining in this yvay an experience that 
has proved invaluable to him in his after life. 
In the fall of 1864 he was honorably discharged, 
after a service of three years and one day. The 
same fall he entered Keokuk Medical College, 
from which he graduated in 1865, with the de- 
gree of M. D., and located in Grinnell, where he 
has continued to practice his profession ever since, 
with the exception of the years 1874-75, which 
were spent in Bellevue Hospital College, New 
York, from which he graduated. 

In 1866 Dr. Hedges started a drug business, in 
which he has since continued to some degree, now 
operating a pharmacy located on Main Street, in 
the Union Block, his oflice being above the store. 
This block was built by tiie Doctor in 1875, and at 
that time was one of the best oflice and store 
buildings in the city. He is a member of the State 
Medical Society and the American Medical Society, 
in both of which he takes an interest. Dr. Hedges 
takes an active interest in all school matters, and 
his fellow-citizens have testified their apprecia- 
tion of his abilit}' in this direction by making 
him a School Director and Treasurer. In 1864 Dr. 
Hedges was married in Indiana to Miss Lois Mc- 
Coy, a native of tliat State. Five children have 



been the result of this marriage, namely: F. Luella, 
a graduate of Iowa College and of the University of 
Kansas, Department of Ph. G.; Mary L., Mrs. Bur- 
roughs, of this city; L. Grace, attending the Uni- 
versity of Kansas; Helen M. and Lois F. Dr. 
Hedges served one term as Alderman of the City 
Council, being elected on the Republican ticket, 
of which he is a stanch supporter. He liberally 
supports the church of his choice, the Congrega- 
tional, and is a respected member of that body. 
Socially he is connected with the Masonic order 
and Gordon Granger Post, G. A. R. He and 
his family reside in a pleasant and comfortable 
liome on High Street, where they receive their 
friends with true hospitality. 



)HOMAS STAPLETON. This gentleman 
seems to have a special adaptability for the 
honorable profession of the law, for in its 
practice he has shown a high degree of learning 
and proficiency. His course through life has been 
marked by earnest purpose and useful activity, and 
for integrity and probit}' no man in Iowa Countj' 
stands higher. He seems to be especially adapted 
for the position of Prosecuting Attorney, which 
he is now filling, and his success in this respect 
seems to have been attained rather by force of na- 
tive talent and culture than by tact. He was born 
in Bloomington, III., May 24, 1853, his father, 
Martin Stapleton, having been born on the Green 
Isle of Erin, where he was educated and reared. 
Upon attaining manhood he came to America and 
was married in Indiana to Miss Mary Carroll, also 
a native of Ireland, af tei' which he secured employ- 
ment as foreman on the Illinois Central, Chicago, 
Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad, and also on the M. 
ife M. R. R. as far as Iowa City, at which place he 
gave up his position and purchased a farm in Lime 
Creek Township, Washington County, Iowa, all of 
which he has greatly improved and where he now 
owns six hundred and fort\- acres of fertile land. 



184 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



He is a Democrat of pronounced views, bas lield 
numerous townsliip offices and is now in liis sixty- 
seventii year. His wife is a daughter of Jolni 
Carroll, who first resided in Indiana and later in 
Washington County, Iowa, where he was called 
from life. 

Thomas Stapleton was the eldest of eleven chil- 
dren born to his parents, five sons and six daugh- 
ters, of wiiom one son and three daughters are de- 
ceased. His early da^'S were spent in assisting his 
father to improve the home farm in Washington 
County and there he received his initiatory train- 
ing in the common schools. In 1873 he entered 
McLean's Academy of Iowa City, which insti- 
tution he attended one year, then entered the 
State University of Iowa, which he attended 
until he was in his junior 3'ear, when he entered 
the law department of the same institution, from 
which he was graduated with the degree of LL. B. 
in 1878, his record having been most praiseworthy. 
He practiced his profession with .Joseph Edwards 
in Iowa City until 1880, when he opened an oHIce 
in Marengo, and until .June, 1884, was associated 
with .1. C. Dinwiddle, but since that time has pur- 
sued his practice alone. 

In 1884 our subject was appointed to the posi- 
tion of County Attorney by the Board of Super- 
visors and held the position until the otHce was 
made elective, after which he was elected to the 
same position on the Democratic ticket, of which 
he has always been a stanch supporter, and held it 
by reelection until January 1, 1891. In 1888 he 
became a member of the Count}' Democratic Com- 
mittee, and the following j'ear was made Chairman 
of the same, and over this body he has presided 
with dignity and efficiency. He has been a dele- 
gate to every Democratic county convention since 
1880 and also to nearly every State convention, 
which speaks in an eloquent manner as to his pop- 
ularity as well as to his intelligence. He has a 
pretty and comfortable residence on Hilton Street, 
in Marengo, where he and his amiable wife cor- 
dially welcome their friends with true Irish hospi- 
tality. His marriage was celebrated .January 22, 
1880, Miss Sabina Keille}', a native of Wheeling, 
W. Va., becoming his wife, and to their union 
two interesting children have been given, .John E. 



and Mary H. Mr. and Mrs. Stapleton are mem- 
bers of the Catholic Church, and as a citizen Mr. 
Stapleton is a quiet, unassuming, exemplary man, 
public-spirited and ever alive to [irogress, and in 
the domestic circle is a kind and considerate hus- 
band and father. 



■il/OIIN C. WALKER, one of the best business 
men in the city of Grinncll, Iowa, and a 
^^^ meinber of the pros])erous firm of Anderson 
Ij^J it Walker, is the gentleman of whom this 
sketch is written. The grandfather of our subject 
was one of those capable men who lived before 
machinery had taken away all necessity for sleight 
in the human hand. He was born in Woodstock, 
Conn., was named Leonard Walker, and, such 
was his mechanical genius, that nothing required 
from wood or iron came amiss to him. He made 
cards, books, iron knives, forks and spoons, also 
scj'thes, and managed a sawmill, beside conduct- 
ing a farm on the side hills at Stratford, Conn., 
and found time to represent his fellow-citizens as 
Selectman. His ancestors had been English and 
Welsh, sturdy men of old, and he was a fit repre- 
sentative of a fine old race. This grandparent 
died at the age of eighty-five years. 

The father of our subject was named I^eonard 
also, and was born in Vermont in 1795 or 1 796, too 
late to take part in the Revolutionary struggle, 
but when the War of 1812 came on he soon became 
a soldier, although only twenty' 3'ears of age. Be- 
fore he arrived at Plattsburg, peace was declared, 
and he returned home, locating in New Hampshire, 
where he engaged in farming. Although he was a 
large, powerful man, clearing his farm without 
help, he died at the early age of forty-six years. 
The mother of our subject belonged to the cele- 
brated Child family. Hannah Child was born in 
Bath, N. H., a daughter of Capt. John Child, a na- 
tive of Woodstock, Conn., but who later became 
one of the first settlers of Bath, and in later years 



^■*^-' 




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



187 



one of the large farmers and laud-owners in that 
locality. He became a minute-man in the War of 
1812, was a captain in the State Militia, and died 
in that State at tlie age of eighty-five j^ears. Dur- 
ing life he had been Selectman and had held man_v 
town offices. 

After the death of the father, Mrs. Walker 
reaied the family, but she died in New Hampshire 
in 181)4. She had reared a family of ninechildren, 
hut fo\ir of whom grew up, and three of whom are 
now living. Our subject was the second eldest in 
the family, was reared on the farm, and when he 
lost the care of his father at the age of ten years, 
was put right to work, as there was a farm of one 
hundred acres to be managed. Here was the large 
house and the farm house which Capt. John Child 
had originally purchased, and at the age of eigh- 
teen years he took entire charge of the place. 
When he was twenty-one lie bought out the other 
heirs, and operated the large farm until 1872, 
raising great numbers of fine Merino sheep. At 
the above-named date he removed to Grinnell, 
Iowa, where he engaged in teaming and draying, 
buying out the office of Leonard IJros. 

For fifteen years our subject carried on the larg- 
est business in tliis line in the city, requiring the 
assistance of five men, but in Januaiy, 1892, he 
sold out to Norris & Whiteman. In September, 
1892, he bought a one-half interest in the Ander- 
son furniture and undertaking business. Thefirm 
has a fine store located on a good business street, 
22x70 feet, the first floor being arranged for retail 
trade, and the second for a work room, storage 
and undertaking. They manufacture picture 
frames and mouldings, and also do fine upholster- 
ing. Mr. Walker has been prominent in many 
waj's in this city, for six years serving as Alder- 
man, and for the past six years he has been one of 
the School Directors. 

Our subject was born at Uath, N. H., October 30, 
1830, and was married in his native State, in 186-1, 
to Miss Jennie Weeks, a daughter of New Hamp- 
shire. Her father was named Jonathan Weeks, 
and engaged in farming there. She died in this 
city, leaving six children: Leonard, a book-keeper 
in the loan office of C. H. Beyer it Co.; and Ed- 
win is in the same office; Alice was graduated from 



Iowa College, and is now teaching in Fisk Univer- 
sity, at Nashville, Tenn.; Ernest is attending Iowa 
College; Bessie, educated here, is teaching in this 
county; and the youngest is John C. In 1881 
Mr. Walker married Miss Addie Chafee, daughter 
of M. Chafee, a Justice of the Peace of this place, 
and three children have been born of this mar- 
riage. Mr. Walker is a member of the Ancient 
Order of United Workmen, in which order he is a 
Master Workman. For ten years he has been a 
Deacon in the Congregational Church, and in the 
city bears an enviable reputation for fair dealing 
and good citizenship. Politically, he is a Repub- 
lican. 



'if/OIIN DILATUSH. Before the French and 
Indian War in 1755 tliere came from France 
to America a Mr. Dilatush, bringing with 
him his family, among whom were three 
sons, and settled near Monmouth, N. J. When 
the French and Indian War broke out these sons 
enlisted In the service, and in that war one of 
them was slain. Again, when the Warof the Revolu- 
tion came up, the remaining brothers immediately 
and with great enthusiasm espoused the cause of 
the Colonists and entered the Continental army, 
and one was killed in battling for his home and lib- 
erty. The remaining brother, Ileniy Dilatush, be- 
came a Lieutenant and served bravely and faith- 
fully throughout the long struggle with the Mother 
Country. He was married in New Jersey to Miss 
Dinah Van Viekley, their union resulting in the 
birth of three sons and two daugliters: Jacob, 
wliose family still resides in New Jersey; .lohn. who 
remained in that State; Nicholas, who was married 
there; Susan, who became the wife of John David- 
son; and Betsey, the wife of William Davidson. 
The mother of John Dilatush was a daughter of 
George Yard, who was one of seven sons, six of 
whom served throughout the War of Independence 
under Gen. Washington, and George Yard was one 
of those who aided in keeping up the deceptive 
fires on the night before the capture of Princeton. 



188 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



The lather of George was a gunsmith arnl a resi- 
dent of Trenton, N. .L, and being called upon bj- 
an Englisli officer and aslted where his sons were, 
replied, "They are with AVashington,"' and point- 
ing to a young son, said: "This one is too young, 
1 am too old, hut I wish to God he was old enough 
and I young enough, and we would be there too." 
The officer tlireatened his life witli drawn sword, 
but a daughter stepping between them said that he 
would have to kill her before he touched her fa- 
ther. Descendants of these brave and patriotic 
people still reside in New Jersey and in the East. 
Nicholas Dilatusli was married to Catalina Yard, 
daughter of George Yard, and to their marriage 
eight children were given: Margaret, who became 
the wife of Ilarvey McCain, and afterward of Jo- 
seph Worley; Sarah A., who married A. Van Horn; 
Henry, now a resident of Warren County, Ohio; 
Susan, wife of William Martin, of Indiana; John, 
the subject of this sketch ; George, of Piatt Count3', 
111.; Thomas B., of AVarren County, Ohio; and 
William A., also a resident of Ohio. John Dila- 
tusli was born in Essex County, N. J., Novem- 
ber 4, 1828, and when in his tenth year he was 
taken by his parents to Warren Countj', Ohio, 
where he grew to manhood, and received a liberal 
education in the common schools. In 1853 he was 
married to Rachel, daughter of David Hunt, of 
Guernsey Count}', Ohio, in which section he lo- 
cated in an early day. In 1855 Mr. Dilatusli re- 
moved to Icfwa County, Iowa, at which time his 
nearest neighbor was two miles away, but becom- 
ing dissatisfied with that location he returned to 
Warren County, Ohio, and four j'eais later located 
in the eastern part of Johnson Count}', on section 
1, where he now owns three hundred and sixty 
acres of excellent farming land, the purchase of 
which he made at different times. Having been 
reared on a stock farm, he acquired a great love 
for horses, and has been very successful in breed- 
ing them. One of the most noted horses in the 
State about 1875 was "Marshal Ney," ahorse of 
his own raising, which died in the summer of 
1892, at the age of twenty-three years. Mr. Dila- 
tusli's farm is stocked with fine colts of his own 
raising, among which are some exceptionally good 
animals. He has also been quite heavih- engaged 



in the breeding of Jersey cattle, and has an excel- 
lent herd of these animals, among which are some 
fine milch cows. 

Mr. Dilatush has been a Republican in his politi- 
cal views ever since the organization of the party, 
and prior to that time was a Whig. In 1881 he 
was brought out by his numerous friends as a can- 
didate for the State Legislature, but was defeated 
by a small majority on account of the district be- 
ing largely Democratic. Mr. Dilatush has achieved 
an enviable place among the agriculturists of the 
county, and to his excellent natural abilities have 
been added the wisdom and experience of a use- 
ful and well-spent life. He has the universal re- 
spect of his fellow-men, and his name is a familiar 
one, and one that is a synonym for all that 
is honest and worthy wherever it is spoken. 
He and his estimable wife became the parents 
of two children: Mary F., who is the wife of 
James S. Watson, a merchant of Downej', Iowa, 
and is the mother of three sons; and Ethelbert, 
who died at the age of five years and six months. 
In June, 1884, Mrs. Dilatush departed this life, 
since which time Mr. Dilatush has remained un- 
married. 



1^ ANIEL K. SHAVER. Among the old pio- 
I ))] neers of AYashington Township, Johnson 
;^^ County, Iowa, may be mentioned D. K. Shaver 
with whom time has dealt most kindly. He is a 
product of Somerset County, Pa., where he first 
saw the light January 3, 1822, his parents being 
George and Rose (Ankney) Shaver, who were born 
in Maryland and Pennsylvania, respectivelv. The 
family, which is of German stock, settled in this 
country during its Colonial period, the grand- 
father, Peter Shaver, being one of the prosperous 
farmers of Maryland, in which State he died at a 
moderately old age. George Shaver, father of Dan- 
iel K., was a farmer and merchant, and for two terms 
filled the position of door-keeper in the House of 
Representatives of Pennsj'lvania. He was a Com- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



189 



missioner of the couuty in which he lived, and 
being a man of far more than average intelligence, 
and possessing sound and practical views on all ques- 
tions of importance, he held a number of other 
civic offices and discharged his duties in a higlily 
satisfactor3' manner. He held the rank of Major 
in the State Militia, and for some time a Govern- 
ment position on the railroad over the mountains, 
connecting the canals. A man of intelligence 
he was not long in perceiving the fact that the 
West offered better inducements to a man of energy 
and push (and especially to one with a family of 
sons to rear) than the East, and accordingly in 
1844 he turned his footsteps Westward and made 
the journey from his old home to Pittsburgh by 
wagon, the waters of the Ohio and Mississippi Riv- 
ers affording them means of transit to IMoomington, 
Iowa, now Muscatine, which place was reached 
on the I8tli of April, 1844. He was called from 
life in this State March 29, 1846, his wife's death 
occurring September 29, 1845, at about the age of 
fift^'-three years. They reared ten out of the twelve 
children born to them, and this family came with 
them to their Western home. 

Daniel K. Shaver did not inherit a sufficient 
patrimony to enable him to start in the race of life 
with flattering prospects of building up a fortune, 
but he did inherit industrj', integrity, and that in- 
domitable energy so characteristic of men who have 
played an important part in the advancement of 
Western civilization. It was the possession of these 
qualities that gave him his start ip life, and which 
brought him to the success of later 3^ears. Occu- 
pied mucii of the time during the years of hisearlj' 
boyhood with tasks set him by his parents, who be- 
lieved in industrial training, his education was 
only such as could be obtained in the old-time log 
schoolhouse, which was furnished in very rude 
fashion, heated by a wide and open fireplace, and 
presided over by one who believed that sparing 
the rod would spoil the child. Mr. Shaver was 
enterprising and ambitious and at the age of fifteen 
years, he began learning the printer's trade in the 
office of the Somerset Herald, where he remained 
three years. He then secured a position on the 
IJedford Enquirer, and in 1840 got out a campaign 
edition for the Tippecanoe Club at Shippensburg, 



Pa., after which he worked in an office at Lancaster, 
and still later on the Marshall B€cwon,aX Mounds- 
ville, Marshall County, W. Va. After leaving the 
case at this place, he returned to his old home in 
Pennsylvania, and in the winter of 1843-44 he fol- 
lowed the calling of a teacher. In the spring 
of the last mentioned year became with the family 
to Iowa, and from Iowa City he and his brothers 
came directly to Washington Township and bought 
a squattei''s claim and later entered the land from 
the Government. After the death of the parents, he 
and his brother kept "bachelor's hall" one winter, 
during which time thej-eame to consider themselves 
fair masters of the culinary art. Mr. Shaver was 
on intimate terms with the Sac, Fox and Pottawat- 
tamie Indians, often hunting with them. He killed 
some deer and turkey's, but never considered him- 
self a very successful Nimrod. At that time all 
their marketing was done at Muscatine, the journey 
there and back being made with ox-tcams and oc- 
cup3'ing from three to four days, which necessitated 
their camping out. 

During all this time Mr. Sliaver had not aban- 
doned his idea of becoming a journalist, and in 
September, 1844, as a means to this end he obtained 
employment on the Iowa City Standard as a type- 
setter. After working about one j'ear on this pa- 
per, he became connected with the Iowa City lit^- 
porter. In 1847 he lielped arrange the ottiee and 
assisted in getting out the first edition of the Iowa 
City RepubUran. Shortlj^ after this he returned to 
Pennsj'lvania, where he worked on several papers, 
and from there enlisted in a company to partici- 
pate in the Mexican War, but this company was 
not accepted, as the full quota of troops had been 
raised. After remaining in the State of his birth 
for about eighteen months he went toSteubenville, 
Ohio, and after working a short time on the Steu- 
benville Herald he returned to Pennsylvania, and 
then, adjusting some business in which his mother 
had been interested, he once more turned his face 
in the direction of the Hawkeye State. He secured 
employment on the Iowa (Des Moines) Star, but 
shortly afterward became foreman on t\\e Republi- 
can, oi Iowa City, which position he filled in a very 
capable and satisfactory manner for two j'cars. He 
was next connected with the PrcK/ressive Era, of 



190 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Cedar Rapids, aud while tliere got out the first re- 
ports of the Supreme Court ever printed in the 
State, the previous reports having been printed in 
the city of New Yorls. All this work was done by 
Mr. Shaver. Following this, he decided to give 
some attention to his land and at once began the 
work of improving, but in 1856 once more turned 
his attention to the field of journalism and estab- 
lished the American Union in the interests of the 
American Union p.arty, but the paper went down 
after the excitement of the campaign was over. 
At the present time he is in hearty accord with the 
Republican party, and is a cheerful and influential 
worker for its success. 

On the 25th of October, 1857, our subject was 
married to Miss Adaline M. Donahey, who was 
born in H.arrison County, Ohio, and is a lady of 
much intelligence, amiability' and kindness of 
heart. Their union resulted in the birth of four 
children. Bonettie and George D. are deceased. 
Birney P., who is a young farmer now residing in 
Washington County, Iowa, is married to Miss Lydia 
Sheib,and has two bright and interesting little chil- 
dren. He was educated in the common schools, 
the Iowa City Academy and the Iowa State Agri- 
cultural College, his record in these institutions be- 
ing decidedly creditable. lie was afterward engaged 
in teaching school in .Johnson County, in which he 
won an excellent reputation as an educator and dis- 
ciplinarian. The j'oungest child is Krlis Ankney, 
a bright and jjiomising little boy, now attend- 
ing the common school near his home. Mr. Shav- 
er's efforts in the direction of agriculture have 
been made a success, and he is now the owner of 
one hundred and seventy acres of excellent land, all 
of which is under cultivation with the exception 
of thirty acres wliich are wood land. He has a 
handsome two-story frame residence, and his out- 
buildings are numerous and kept in good repair. 
He has given considerable attention to raising a 
good grade of stock, and h.as made a specialty of 
Holstein cattle. Advancing years have compelled 
him to desist from the active duties of the farm 
and at the present time he hires the most of the work 
done, feeling that it is but just that he should rest 
from the "burden and heat of the day." He has 
held the most of the offices within the gift of his 



township, as well as more important ones in the 
county, and in the fall of 1854 ran for the State 
Legislature on the Know-Nothing ticket, re- 
ceiving every vote in his township with the excep- 
tion of four, tliis being a high tribute to his merit 
by those who had ever}' opportunity to know and 
judge of his character and qualifications. He is 
acknowledged to be a man of superior natural en- 
dowments, and his leading characteristics are ex- 
treme frankness, honesty of purpose and integrity. 
He and his wife are very social in disposition and 
are great favorites with the young people of the 
community, their generous and true-hearted, yet 
unostentatious, hospitality being the delight of 
the many friends who gather beneath their roof. 
They are very liberal in their religious views and 
have always endeavored to follow the teachings 
of the Golden Rule, which is without doubt better 
than if many pretensions were made. Mr. Shaver 
was the means of establishing the Amish settlement 
at this place, which has grown since 1846 to be 
one of the largest of the kind in the United States. 



l^lOBERT M. ROUP. Although this geiitle- 
L*ir man has almost attained the allotted age of 
ifc fl^ three-score years and ten, he is an .active, 
wide-a-wake man of affairs, possesses a keen 
and discerning mind, and is well read on the gen- 
eral topics of interest of the day, being especially 
well up in the political history of the country. 
As a means of livelihood he has alw.ays given his 
attention to .igriculture, and when the followei-s 
of this calling in any community are men of cour- 
age, enterprise, intelligence and integrity, pros- 
perity will attend all departments of their work, 
and this has been especially the case with Mr. 
Roup, who is counted among the leading farmers 
of Johnson County. He is a native of Livings- 
ton County, N. Y., where he was born December 
24, 1824, his father. Christian Roup, having been 
a native of Pennsylvania, and his grandfather, 
Michael Roup, a native of Germany. The latter 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



191 



came to America at the age of eighteen years, and 
not onlj' followed tlie calling of a farmer, but 
also tliat of a teamster from Reading, Pa., to 
Baltimore, Md., for many years. He died at an 
advanced age in Livingston County, N. Y. 

Christian Roup was also engaged in teaming 
during his early manhood but after some time be- 
gan learning the trade of a shoe-maker. In the 
very early history of the section he removed to 
Livingston County, N. Y., where he purchased 
two hundred acres of State land, which was then 
an absolute wilderness, being thickly covered with 
timber and brush, tlie neigliboring settlers being 
few and far between. J^ike other sturdy and cour- 
ageous pioneers, 

"He cut, lie logged, he cleared his lot. 
And into many a dismal spot 
He let the liglit of d.iy." 

He worked early and late to clear his farm, and 
none but those who have liad a woodland farm to 
improve know the arduous labor that this neces- 
sitated. In May, 1829, he removed to Warren 
County, Pa., where he was engaged in farming, 
but in 1841 he sold the place and once more 
sought a home on the borders of civilization. He 
reached Johnscm County, Iowa, April 4, 1842, and 
here tlie remainder of his days were spent. In his 
3'outh he was a Lutheran in his religious belief, 
but later in life he united with the Baptist Church. 
He was married to Miss Ruth Mitchell, who was 
born near Painted Post, Pa., she being also of 
German descent, and to their union five children 
were given. She died at the age of seventy-eight 
years, six months and fourteen days. Her father 
was born in German}\ 

Robert M. Roup was the youngest of the chil- 
dren born to his parents, and when four years of 
age was taken by tliem to Warren County, Pa., 
but as that was a lumbering district there were no 
schools, and his early education was consequently 
neglected, but this was afterward remedied to 
some extent, and he obtained a practical knowledge 
of the "three R's." He came to Iowa in December, 
1841, and spent the winter in Burlington, but 
came to Johnson County in the spring of 1842, 
settling on the south side of Old Man's Creek. 
He took a squatter's claim, and when the laud 



came into the market he entered forty acres of 
timber land. In 1848 they removed about a mile 
and a-half south of the original claim, and entered 
a claim in section 9, AVashington Township. The 
sight of Indians was an everyda3' occurrence, and 
Mr. Roup was on friendly and intimate terms with 
them. He was quite a hunter, and as the woods 
abounded in deer, turkeys, etc., he found much 
pleasure in the chase, and often killed as many as 
six deer in one day. His marketing was done at 
Burlington, and the journey there and back usu- 
ally took about seven days. The winter that Mr. 
Roup entered his land he and his brother Edsel 
went to Burlington and worked at wood-chopping, 
in order to earn some money, but the following 
spring he returned to his land and set energetically 
to improve his pl.ace. lie eventually became the 
owner of three hundred and twenty .acres of land, 
but gave one hundred and sixty acres to his boys. 
He has been engaged in general farming, and most 
of the grain raised on his place has been fed to 
his stock. 

On the 27th of October, 1850, he was married 
to Miss Margaret Montgomery, who was born in 
Washington County, Pa., August 6, 1829, and 
came to Iowa in the fall of 1841, on the same 
boat from Pittsburgh that Mr. Roup came on, but 
they did not become acquainted at that time. 
She and her people settled on Old Man's Creek, 
and here she afterward met and married Mr. Roup. 
Six children have been born to them: Irene, Will- 
iam A., An nettle C, Louisa J., Clark C. and Els- 
worth. The mother of these children was called 
from this life August 29, 1887. She had been a 
member of the Presbyterian Church from girl- 
hood until 1800, from which time until 1864 she 
was a member of the Methodist Church. About 
this time Mr. Roup was converted and joined the 
Evangelical Church, and his wife then also united 
with this church. In 1870 they joined the Method- 
ist Church, of which she was a member at the 
time of her death. Mr. Roup is a Republican of 
pronounced views, cast his first Presidential vote 
for Zachary Taylor, and has ever since supported 
the men of his party. He has held a number of 
township offices but has never desired public office. 
He has seen almost the entire development of the 



192 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



country and can liardl}' realize all that has been 
accomplished in such a comparatively short time. 
He has aided in the development of his section, 
and has always been one of the public-spirited 
men of the county. 



=m>^<^ 



'll^ACOB RICORO, an intluential citizen and 
prosperous dealer in boots and shoes, has 
^:^ I for over a half-century been a constant re- 
^^f/ sident of Iowa City, la., and, a progressive 
and enter[>rising man, has held with elHcient ability 
many important positions of public trust. As 
Postmaster for six years, Jlayor for two terms. 
City Treasurer for two years and a member of the 
Common Council six years, our subject has been 
intimately- identilied with the growth and advanc- 
ing interests of Iowa City, and has given his earnest 
and most determined efforts in behalf of the up- 
ward progress and local improvements of the 
capital of Johnson County. Widely known and 
highly respected for his i)ublic spirit, indomitable 
will and sterling integrity of character, Mr. Ricord, 
although numbered among the lu^nored pioneer 
settlers, still remains in active business and, carry- 
ing an excellent and complete line of boots and 
shoes, commands an extensive and profitable trade. 

Our subject is a native of Pennsylvania, and 
was born in Philadelphia .September 26, 1816. His 
parents were Thom.as and Ann (Conwell) Ricord, 
very early settlers of the Quaker State. The fa- 
ther was born in Delaware and was the son of 
Thomas Ricord, who during the Revolutionary 
War was captured by the English, the goods re- 
moved fiom his house, which, just having been 
completed, was burnt in his presence, and his 
stock, horses, cattle and hogs were driven off and 
stolen. Carefully guarded, this paternal grandfa- 
ther of our subject was taken from i)lace to place and 
though repeatedly urged to join the British forces, 
courageously' refused, and so was taken on board 
a British man-of-war. Finally making his escape 
and enlisting under Washington, be endured 



the privation and hardships of that terrible winter 
at Valley Forge and took part in thn battles of 
German town and Monmouth, and, bravely fighting 
for God and liberty, was separated from his wife 
and family for five years. This heroic veteran 
was with Gen. Knox when at the head of his men 
he entered New York City, which the English had 
just evacuated. It was in Tarrytown, in the year 
1783, that this patriotic ancestor of Jacob Ricord 
was discharged from the service, the army being 
disbanded, and with a glad heart sought his family 
again. At Gerniantown his brother was wounded 
in the battle, from the effects of whicli he died at 
N'alley Forge. 

Grimdfather Ricord had been promoted for gal- 
lant conduct upon the field and left the service a 
Lieutenant, but minus pay or clothes, and so humbly 
made his way on foot to New Castle, Del., where 
he received a welcome never to be forgotten from 
his friend.s. From New Castle he took boat for his 
home at Lewis, Del., and once more enjoyed the 
comforts of i)roper food and rest. The father of 
our subject, named in honor of his father Thomas 
Ricord, was a shoemaker by trade and followed 
this occupation all his life. In 1818 the family re- 
moved to Cincinnati, Ohio, where they resided for 
a full score of years. In 1840 the opportunities of 
the Western country drew them to Iowa City, la., 
and here the father resumed the trade of a shoe- 
maker, continuing actively in business for some 
time. He died in 1865, at seventy-nine years of 
age, and had worthily passed through the cares 
and anxieties of a useful and honorable career. 
His wife was the daughter of Jacob Conwell, a 
pilot on the Delaware. She was a most estimable 
lady and, a devoted wife and mother, came with 
her family to Iowa City, where she died in 1851. 
Jacob Ricord was the second of five children and 
is now the only survivor of the brothers and sis- 
ters who once gathered around the family hearth. 

Cincinnati was the early home of our subject, 
who there received the benefit of instruction in 
the public schools and later learned from his fa- 
ther the shoemaker's trade. Removing to the 
AVest with his parents, he located in Iowa City and 
was interested with his father in business, continu- 
ing to handle boots and shoes until 1880. At this 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



193 



period of time Mr. Ricord received from President 
Hayes his appointment as Postmaster of Iowa City, 
and, most efficiently discliarging tiie duties of his 
office, at tlie expiration of liis term was reap- 
pointed by President Artliur for iiis term of ser- 
vice, extending to six years of faithful work. In 
December, 1886, he was removed by President 
Cleveland. The alleged reason then given for his 
removal from a position in which he had given 
universal satisfaction to the public was that he 
was "an offensive partisan." Upon retiring from 
his duties as Postmaster, our subject resumed the 
boot and shoe business and was at once busily en- 
gaged. It was during 1875, '76, '78 and 1879 
that Mr. Ricord occupied with ability the Mayoral 
chair, and as Chief Executive presided over the 
meetings of the Common Council, of which honor- 
able body he was so long a member, and as Chair- 
man of Finance distinguished himself in arrang- 
ing the I'ailroad indebtedness against Iowa City, 
which amounted to 1100,000. As City Treasurer, 
the sterling integrity of our subject was made 
manifest in every detail of his offlcial record, and 
neither by word nor deed did Jacob Ricord ever 
cast even a shadow of dishonesty upon the name 
worthily borne by patriotic men and public-spirited 
citizens. 

In 1847 our subject was iiniled in uiairiage with 
Miss Emily Evans, a resident of Iowa City and a 
daughter of Owen Evans, one of the very early 
settlers of Dubuque, la., in which flourishing city 
he made his home in 1834, having removed from 
Missouri to the farther West. Mr. and Mrs. Ricord 
were the parents of seven children, three of whom 
are yet surviving. Arthur lives near Leadville, 
Colo. Emily and Genevieve are at home. Poli- 
tically, Mr. Ricord is a stanch Re])ubliean and was 
present at the organization of the party in the 
State. Fraternally, he is associated with the In- 
dependent Order of Odd Fellows and is a member 
of Eureka Lodge No. 44. He has been President 
of the Old Settlers' Association and is now Treas- 
urer of the same. Our subject filed the first deed 
for record in Iowa County, and at the organization 
of the county was elected the First Assessor. 
From his earliest manhood prominently connected 
with the public affairs of .Johnson County, the his- 



tory of Jacob Ricord is interwoven with the his- 
tory of his home in the West, and when changing 
years shall have passed and the places which know 
him now shall then know him no more, he will 
live in the good which he has done, and the work 
which he has accomplished will become his lasting 
monument and a tribute to his energetic enterprise, 
persevering effort and upright character. 

Recollections of Indian LiCe on Old Man's 
Creek in 1 S40. 

(41 IfeOBOKESHIEK ou WHITE HAWK, the 
\rJ// subject of this sketch, was by birth a 
wW Fox Indian. He was born at the Fox 
village on Turkey River, near its junction with tlie 
Mississi|)pi, in what is now Clayton Couiit3 , Iowa, 
in the 3'ear 1 78.'5. 

When the writer (if this first knew W'liite Hawk, 
in the fall of 1840, he lived in his town near 
where AVillianisburg now stands. He was un- 
equaled in his kindness and honesty, the white 
settlers' stock being frequently found close around 
the Indian village unmolested. 

White Hawk's " Neewa," or wife, came to our 
cabin in Green Township, Iowa County, in the fall 
of 1840, and asked me if we had any tea. I told 
her we had. She then said, "My Indian heap sick." 
I made tea for them and whilst they were drink- 
ing it they talked. White Hawk said, "The name 
of ray Neewa is INIinnawqua and she w.as a 
Shawanee. I gave her father two horses for her, 
over on the Wabash. She is a good Neewa. She 
accompanies me in all my expeditions. She w.as 
with me on my journey' to Maldon with a band of 
Rock River Indians to .^ee a great English war 
chief in the summer of 1810. He gave the band 
guns, knives, tomahawks, powder and lead, and all 
kinds of war su|)plios. He called us his children, 
and said what good things his great Father, the 
king, could do for us. He advised us not to go 
to war but to be ready to strike when he gave the 
word. The British officer was Col. Dixon. The^' 
treated us kindly and sui)plied us with provisions 
as long as we remained with them. My Neewa was 
with me at Tippecanoe. I and my band made the 
attack on Gen. Harrison's left Hank. She was near 
bv to assist mc. I was badly wounded, and when 



194 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



she coukl no longer hear my voice, she came to 
m}' assistance in tlie midst of tlie battle, and helped 
me off the field before daylight. She helped me 
on one of our horses and we got back to the In- 
dian town." 

Minnawi[iia saiil: "All of the Indians had left, so 
that when Gen. Harrison's horsemen came, While 
Hawk and me were all alone." !She said she was 
not afraid of the soldiers for she had lived a part 
of her life in the white settlements. "An officer 
came to see us" she continued, "and gave us pro- 
visions and sent a medicine man to see White 
Hawk's wounds. We were at the village three 
moons before White Hawk was able to ride home. 
After returning home we lived at the old Fox 
village, on Turkey River. In the spring of 18 13 
we joined Black Hawk's British band on Rock 
River. About that lime Simon Girty came to the 
village with an invitation from Col. Hi.\on, a British 
othc-er, to Black Hawk to come with iiis band to 
Green Bay to him. On our arrival there, we found 
a large force of Indians, all well supplied with 
arms, and every thing needed for a campaign. 
Col. Dixon came to see us and said he wanted to 
liave us go with him to Detroit. We were all well 
sui)i)lied with guns, powder, lead and every thing 
we needed for the campaign. From Green Ba\' 
we made our way to Detroit, and we were two 
moons going, each band going a different vvay. 
But four or five hundred that started from Green 
Bay arrived in the middle of summer. There 
was a large English army encamped there. Im- 
mediately on our arrival the English ollicers 
commenced making arrangements to attack Ft. 
Meigs. We went down to Sandusky. The British 
made the attack and were driven off, when they 
went down the bay to attack Ft. Stephenson. 
The Indians, under the command of Tecuraseh, 
went by land and were stationed above the fort." 

Minnawqua, White Hawk's wife, also said that 
Wliite Hawk was sent down close to the fort to 
assist the Englisli if he could, but the English 
cannon had stopped firing before he got there and 
the English were storming the fort. There was a 
young American brave in the fort and he had a 
big gun. When White Hawk and his band got 
within a short distance of the fort, the big gun 



was let go, tiie earth trembled and the English Bed 
to the woods and left two hundred dead and 
wounded in the ditch. The great English war cliief 
was killed. The English gave up the attack then. 
They had hard work to keep the Indians from going 
home. "Some did leave after that" she says, "and 
we were taken over to Maldon, in Canada. We 
could see the smoke of the battle between the big 
canoes on the lake. The English said they had 
beaten the Americans, but we saw the English army 
packing up to move; they were going to leave." 
White Hawk said, "Then 1 and my Neewa came 
liome and we lived beside the Mississipi)i, until 
we sold a large strip of laud to the United States 
on the west side of the river. Then we moved to our 
hunting town on Posetoenonock, six or eight miles 
from here." In the summer of 1843, I bought a 
gun of White Hawk's young men. His Neewa told 
me that the gun was given to White Hawk by an 
English officer at Green Bay, at the time they went 
down to Detroit. The old gun lias the English 
broad arrow on its breech. She said that their 
good angel lived on Rock Island, and after the fort 
was built, "she spread her snow-white wings and 
disappeared, and ever since we have had trouble." 
At the time AVhite Hawk and his band of Indians 
moved West, we went up to see them and bid them 
good-bye, the men having nearly all left. White 
Hawk came forward and shook iiands, liade us 
good-bye, but refused to talk, turned from us, 
mounted his horse and was gone. 

.Iacoij Ki, ,.i;i.. 






ATHANIEL CROW, a prominent general 
agriculturist and successful stock-raiser of 
Hardin Township, Johnson County, Iowa, 
has held with able fidelity various otHcial positions 
of the township, and has long been located upon 
his finely cultivated homestead of four hundred 
acres, situated on section 31, and one of the most 
valuable stock farms in this section of the country. 
Our subject was born in Fayette County, Pa., Feb- 




(Jt^O-''^^-^'^-^ 




Q^^]/K-c^a^^^ 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



197 



ruary 14, 1835. Michael, his father, who was also 
born in the Qualver State, was of German descent. 
lie lived to be four-score and two years of age 
and then peacefully passed away. The mother, 
Sarah (Gans) Crow, was also a Pennsylvanian by 
birth and had descended likewise from German 
ancestry. She is yet living and, seventy-eight 
years old, still resides upon the old homestead. 
Fifteen children clustered about the family hearth 
of the father and mother, ten sons and daughters 
surviving to mature years, and nine of the broth- 
ers and sisters are yet living. 

Our subject was the second child and the second 
son of the famil}-, and worked faithfully for his 
father until twenty-one years of age. Immediately 
after attaining his majority, he, in company with a 
cousin, journeyed in 1855 to Johnson County and 
located land near Old Man's Creek, about one and 
one-half miles east of the present Crow homestead. 
Soon securing work, Nathaniel hired out by the 
month upon a farm, receiving $14 during the sum- 
mer season for four weeks' hard labor. Some 
three years later our subject, in September, 1858, 
was united in marriage in Hardin Township, John- 
son County, to Miss Louisa Schlieter, born in 
Muskingum County, Ohio, in the year 1838, and 
the daughter of John G. and Louisa Schlieter, 
both natives of Germany, and energetic and in- 
dustrious citizens, highly esteemed by all who 
knew them. Their daughter, Mrs. Crow, is the 
fifth of their eight children, of whom the surviv- 
ing brothers and sisters occupy positions of useful- 
ness and influence. 

Financially prospered, our subject has with per- 
severing industry and ambitious enterprise added 
each year to the attractiveness of the farm, whose 
fields now yield so abundant a harvest. A sub- 
stantial and commodious frame barn and a hand- 
some and modern family residence erected at a 
cost of $3,000 testify to the thrift and successful 
management of the owner of the premises, and 
make this [jjece of property one of tlie most desira- 
ble and valuable farms in this part of the State. 
The pleasant home of Mr. and Mrs. Crow lias been 
blessed by the birth of five children, two daugh- 
ters and three sons. John G. S., a farmer of Har- 
din Township, is the eldest-born. Charles .S. is 



also an agriculturist of Hardin Township. Fred H. 
is at home. Minnie is the wife of C. 8. Buck, also 
a successful farmer of Hardin Township. Louise 
died at the age of eighteen. All are located within 
a comparatively short distance of the old home. 
Our subject and his estimable wife enjoy the pleas- 
ant companionship of their loved ones and hos- 
pitably entertain a large circle of old-time friends. 
Mr. Crow is a loyal Democrat and a firm advo- 
cate of the popular party of the people. He is a 
valued member of the Board of Supervisors and 
a Trustee of the township, his earnest efforts and 
excellent judgment materially aiding in the pro- 
motion of local improvement and enterprise. He 
has also long been an important factor in the pro- 
gressive policy of the .School Board and is now 
the Treasurer of that oHicial body. Activel}' in- 
terested in all that pertains to the good of the 
general public, and intimately associated with the 
upward growth and progress of his home local- 
ity, our subject occupies a high position of honor 
and influence and is numbered among the enter- 
l)rising and public-spirited citizens of Johnson 
County. 



^^ 



1II_^I:NRY W. LATHROP, Librarian of the 
Wjij Iowa Historical Society, of Iowa City, and 
'^^ widely known as the author of the "Life 
(^) of Ex-Gov. Kirkwood," is a scholar of fine 
literary attainments and is prominent in the histor- 
ical circles of the State. Arriving within the 
boundaries of Iowa in early manhood, he became 
the second Mayor of Iowa City, and has since oc- 
cupied with honor and distinction positions of 
public trust, and as a valued teacher, leading ed- 
itor, able County Superintendent of Schools, and 
prosperous agriculturist and successful fruit-grower 
and stock-raiser, has made an extended acquaint- 
ance and, uniformly receiving the high regard of 
the general public, has likewise enjoyed the genu- 
ine esteem of a large circle of true friends. Our 
subject was born in Hawley, Franklin County, 



198 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAl'HICAL RECORD. 



Mass., October 28, 1819, and was the eldest son of 
Zephaniah and Tryplieua (Field) Latlirop, de- 
scendants of two of the oldest families of New 
England. Grandfather Zephaniah Lathrop was 
also born in the old Bay State, and enlisting 
near the close of the Revolutionary War fought 
bravely in defense of national independence. In 
1634, the remote paternal ancestors of the La- 
throps emigrated from England to America, and 
were noted among the early colonists for their 
judgment, ability and enterprise. 

The mother of our subject was the daughter of 
Capt. Elijah Field and was a native of Massachu- 
setts, born in Ilawlej^ in 1797. Reared and edu- 
cated in her native State, she arrived at mature 
age, and a few years after her marriage removed 
wit'a her husband to Oneida County, N. Y., locat- 
ing in the Empire State in thespringof 1821. Henry 
W. was but two years of age when he was brought 
to Oneida County, and during the early years of 
boyhood attended tlie nearest district school; he 
afterward completed his studies in the Augusta 
Academy, later teaching school one year near 
Boston. Three j'ears were next given by Mr. La- 
throp to tlie study of law, lie preparing himself for 
the legal profession in Oneida County. Journey- 
in " to the West in 1847, he came to Iowa City, 
and during the same year was admitted to the 
Bar. Not entering into the active practice of the 
law, however, he engaged in teaciiing, and meeting 
with more than ordinary success as an instructor 
continued in the vocation the succeeding seven 
years, prosperously conducting a private school 
in Iowa City. 

For two years our subject was tlie editor and 
one of the publishers of the Iowa City Republican, 
a paper whose title announced its political affilia- 
tions, and which received the confidence and sup- 
port of the "party of progress and reform." As 
an editorial writer Mr. Lathrop was concise, log- 
ical and strong in argument, and was a prominent 
factor in the successes of the party whose princi- 
ples and platform he stanchly maintained. For 
two years our subject gave most valuable public 
service as County Superintendent of Schools, 
and to his earnest efforts and untiring devotion 
to the cause of educational advancement the 



rapid upward progress of the county schools was 
mainly due. During this time Mr. Lathrop be- 
came the Treasurer and a Trustee of the State 
University, and from 1855 to 1863 was connect- 
ed with this department of educational service, 
gaining the thorough appreciation and high 
commendation of his co-workers, with whom he 
labored most harmoniously, intent only upon 
the great object of furnishing to all the stu- 
dents who desired every facility of a most ex- 
tended and thorough collegiate course, until late 
years not attainable in the West. 

In the spring of 1860 our subject profitably 
engaged in agricultural pursuits and achieved an 
enviable record as a fruit-raiser, and in this con- 
genial employment passed many years, not retir- 
ing from the active duties of his farm and orchard 
until 1888. Since that date he has efficiently dis- 
charged the duties of Librarian of the State His- 
torical Society and has been a liberal and valued 
contributor to the Historical Record, publishe<l in 
Iowa City. In 1872 Mr. Lathrop was elected 
President of the Eastern Iowa Horticultural So- 
ciety, and in 1876 was elected President of the 
State Horticultural Society, holding this honored 
position during 1876-77-78, and few men in the 
State of Iowa are better posted on the subject of 
horticulture than our subject. 

Henry W. Lathrop and Miss Mary Weltou, of 
Oneida Count}-, N. Y., were united in marriage 
April 14, 1847, Mrs. Lathrop being the daughter 
of Willard Welton, a prominent resident of Ham- 
ilton, N. Y. The home of our subject and his es- 
timable wife was blessed by the birth of five 
children, of whom three are now surviving. AVill- 
ard A. is a citizen of South Dakota; C4eorge F. is 
at Villa Park,Cal.; and Minnie E.,an accomplished 
lady and a graduate of the State University, is at 
home. 

Ever interested in local and national issues, Mr. 
Lathrop was politically in early life a Whig, but in 
1856 became a firm adherent of the Republican 
part}', and was one of the members of the State 
Convention which organized the party in Iowa. 
For three years our subject was the able President 
of the Old Settlers' Association, and was the 
author of the commemorative poem, read at the 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



199 



last reunion, and which, with mingled humor, pa- 
thos and sentiment, vividly set forth the trials and 
triumphs of pioneer days. Many years have 
passed since Mayor Lathrop presided over the 
councils of Iowa City, but in all these changing 
seasons and amid national vicissitudes and ulti- 
mate prosperity he has ever been a true and loyal 
American citizen, energetic, enterprising and pro- 
gressive. 



-^^l 



11^^^ 



"^ OHN H. PATTON, a member of the firm of 
Patton & Kemmerer, of Grinuell, Iowa, suc- 
cessfully' engaged in the law, real-estate, 
insurance and loan business, is one of the 
best business men and most astute politicians of 
this part of Poweshiek County. Since 1887 he 
has most eflicieutl}' served the people of the county 
as Clerk of the Courts, his term expiring in Jan- 
uary, 1893. He was born in Curwensville, Clear- 
field County, Pa., February 8, 1856, a son of Ed- 
ward B. Patton, also a native of the Keystone 
State, and a grandson of John Patton, who served 
as an officer in the navy in 1812 and during the 
Revolution had been an officer on the staff of Wash- 
ington, finally ending his days in Pennsylvania. 
The family came from Scotch-Irish ancestors. 

The father of our subject, Edward B. Patton, 
learned the trade of carpenter and builder in his 
native State, where he has always lived, now hav- 
ing reached the age of sixty-seven years. His 
brother, Hon John Patton, is a well-known banker 
and a prominent man in the county, having been 
a Member of Congress for two terms. The mother 
of our subject was Esther A. Mason, who was born 
in Clearfield Count}', a daughtei of a Mr. Mason 
who engaged in farming and condu<;ted an hotel 
in that county, where his death occurred. The 
death of Mrs. Patton took place in 1860, at the 
age of twenty-seven, she leaving a family of four 
children, of whom our subject was the third and is 
the only one who ever left Pennsylvania. His 
boyhood was spent in his native place, attending 



school at Indiana, Pa., from his seventh to his 
thirteenth year, this being practically all of the 
educational advantages which he was permitted to 
enjoy. At this date he was put to work in 
the Curwensville planiug-mill, continuing there 
for three years, and at the age of seventeen he en- 
tered the printing-office of the Curwensville Weekhj 
Times, where he remained until he was nineteen, 
when he became editor and publisher of the paper, 
conducting this enterprise until his twenty-first 
year. 

The active mind of our subject required a larger 
experience than he felt it was possible to obtain in 
the quiet home neighborhood, and for some time 
his thoughts had been turned to the great West, 
this resulting in the move that located him, Au- 
gust 1, 1877, in Grinnell, Iowa. Perhaps this 
place was suggested to him as a fine locality by J. 
Benton Dudley, a noted temperance lecturer, who 
mentioned in his discourses the town of Grinnell, 
its college and the pleasant neighborhood. After 
looking around for an immediate investment, Mr. 
Patton, in partnership with M. L. McQuown, went 
to Kellogg and there bought the Reporiei-, but his 
partner only remained a few weeks, and after two 
months more our subject sold out, returned to 
Grinnell, and then became local editor on the 
Herald in this city for one 3'ear. 

At this period Mr. Patton entered with L. E. 
Spencer into the Banking & Loan Association of 
Grinnell as assistant, continuing after the business 
was organized as the Citizens' Bank of Grinnell, 
until in 1881 he bought the Grinnell Independent, 
a Democratic organ, which he changed into a Re- 
publican semi-weekly, but after four years he sold 
it. In 1886 he again connected himself with the 
Herald as local editor, continuing until Ihe fall, 
when he was nominated and elected tf) the office 
of Clerk of the District Court, on the Republican 
ticket, in January, 1887, and received the honor 
of a re-election in 1888, again in 1890, and for his 
third term had the second highest vote on the 
county ticket. In 1893 he formed a partnership 
with L. D. Kemmerer in the law, insurance, real- 
estate and loan business, and there is every pros- 
pect that this will become one of the strongest 
firms in the city. He has been an active worker in 



200 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



the Republican ranks both in local and county 
politics, and is in demand as a public speaker. 

Mr. Patton was married in Grinnell in 1879 to 
Miss Mary AVorcester, a native of Marshall County, 
Iowa, educated at Iowa College, and a daughter of 
Justice and Sarah (Carpenter) Worcester, the father 
a farmer of Marshall County and a relative of the 
family of Dr. Worcester, the famous lexicographer. 
Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. 
Patton: .John H., Jr., Homer E., Edward C. and 
Edith M. Our subject has held many honorable 
positions since he has come to this .State, among 
them being that of member for two years of the 
City Council at Montezuma. He belongs to La 
Fayette Lodge No. 52, A. F. & A. M., at Monte- 
zuma, of which he has been Worshipful Master; he 
also is a member of Lodge No. .358, I. O. O. F., at 
Grinnell, and was one of the organizers of Aztec 
Lodge No. 238, K. P., at Montezuma, and was one of 
the number who decided on the name Aztec. 
Our subject has held the leading offices in that 
order, being Past Chancellor and Past Deputy and 
has served as delegate to the Grand Lodge a num- 
ber of times, and in 1892 was prominently men- 
tioned as Grand Chancellor of the State. Mr. Pat- 
ton is a member of the Methodist Church. 



AMUEL PRESTON FRY, the subject of 
our sketch, has a wide extended .acquaint- 
ance, his business bringing him into con- 
tact with people at a distance as well as 
witli lus neighbors. Their testimony would be 
highly favorable alike as to his social and business 
life. He is a buyer, shipper and feeder of stock 
and also a general farmer, the farm upon which he 
lives on section 7, West Lucas Township, Johnson 
County, Iowa, being owned jointly by himself and 
brother, who is Cashier of the Johnson County 
Bank, of Iowa City. He was horn in Licking 
Co\inty, Ohio, June 15, 1840, being the son of Ti- 
tus Fry, a native of Pennsylvania, and a carpenter 



b}' trade, who was reared in Ohio, but came to John- 
son County, Iowa, in 1840, locating in Union Town- 
ship. Here he bought a farm and sold it, then 
bought a farm in Washington Township, where 
he remained until 1868, when, retiring from busi- 
ness, he removed to Iowa City, where he now lives, 
at the age of eighty-three. 

The mother of our subject, Jane (Preston) Fry, 
was born in Licking County, Ohio, and is living 
at about the age of seventy-seven years. She and 
her husband were the parents of eight children, six 
daugiiters and two sons, the four eldest of whom 
are living, namely: Mary J., wife of Calvin Moore, 
of Johnson Count}'; Rachel, wife of Jacob Patter- 
son, of California; Samuel P., our subject; and 
William A., of Iowa City. Our subject, the third 
child and eldest son, was about six months old 
when he came to Johnson County with his parents. 
The beginning of his instruction w.as had in a log 
schoolhouse, his time being divided between tlie 
school and the farm throughout his youth, and he 
remained upon the farm until he was about twen- 
ty-eight, when he went to Iowa City and engaged 
in the grocer}- business for about two and a-half 
years, when he sold out and he and his brother, 
William, went into the livery business, in which 
he continued for two years. He then sold out and 
became a farmer, the first land he bought being 
across the road from his present place. 

Our subject was married September 30, 1875, to 
Fianna M. Grosscup, daughter of Daniel and Fl- 
anna (Stober) Grosscup. Mrs. Fry was born in 
Ashland County, Ohio, Maj' 1, 1848, where she 
lived until she was twenty-seven years old, when 
she came to .Johnson County. Her parents are of 
German descent and natives of Pennsylvania. Mi-. 
Fry lived in Iowa Citj' one year and then carried 
on farming at various places until he bought his 
present tract, in 1887, locating at once upon the 
same. He and Mrs. Fry are the parents of eight 
children, six daughters and two sons, living and 
at home, namel}': Hayes A., Gracie E., Jessie M., 
Edith M., Stella B., Annastatia, Glenn G. and the 
baby, Ella L. The farm owned by him and his 
brother is in one bodj', and upon it he feeds cat- 
tle he has bought, having fed last summer one 
hundred and eighty head; he likewise ships hogs 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



203 



as well as cattle to eastc-rn points. Before the war 
he was a Democrat, but has been a Republican ever 
since, the last Democialic Presidential candidate 
he voted for being Buchanan. He was Assessor 
of East and West Lncas Townships for two jears; 
also School Director and Road Supervisor. He 
and his wife are members of the Cliristian Church, 
he having joined twent.y-six }'ears ago. Both are 
very much esteemed in that body in Iowa City, 
where they hold their membership. 



ON. JOHN W. PORTER. Seldom has death 
called from our midst one whose loss is 
more deeply felt and more truly mourned 
than his of whom wc write. His many 
friends iiave most pleasant recollections of his 
open-hearted kindness, his manly sympathies, and 
his iionorable career in life. He was born April 
26, 1839, in Wooster, Wayne County, Ohio, and 
he was called to his final rest December 7, 1882. 
He was the second son of Kimball and Mary (Mc- 
Curdy) Porter. The father was one of the pro- 
prietors of the Western Stage Company, which was 
transferred to Iowa in 1854, and therefore in the 
following year lie removed to Iowa City with his 
family. 

In 1855, Mr. Porter of whom we write entered 
the State Universit^^ where he remained until 1857, 
and tlien entered Bethan}' (W. Va.) College, wiiere 
he was graduated from several departments. In 
1861 he was again enrolled as a student in the 
Iowa State Universit}^, but soon after enlisted as 
First Lieutenant of Company I, Twenty-second 
Iowa Regiment. Soon after enlisting he was called 
home by the death of his father, to whose business 
lie succeeded, carrying it on until 1870. In 1868, 
and before closing out his stage line, he started in 
the luinlier business with Capt. J. A. L. Tice, under 
the firm name of Porter & Tice, and continued 
with that gentleman until 1870, when he pur- 
chased his partner's interest and engaged in busi- 



ness alone for four years. Mr. Porter again formed 
a partnership in 1874 with P. M. Musser, whicii 
connection existed until 1878, when our subject 
succeeded to the whole business. He had been a 
Director in the State Agricultural Society for sev- 
eral years and was its efficient President from 
January, 1881, conducting its affairs with that 
rare skill and business tact which were always 
among his characteristics. At the organization of 
the Inter-State Association of the Board of Agri- 
culture in November, 1881, he was made its Presi- 
dent and then became known throughout the 
Northwest for his successful management. 

In 1878 and 1879, Mr. Porter was made Presi- 
dent of the National Association of Lumber 
Dealers and was one of its Directors. This has 
now grown to be one of the most powerful and 
successful business organizations in the country, 
and in its councils our subject was highly esteemed 
for his broad advice and good judgment. 

Mr. Porter was married on March 4, 1863, to 
Miss Louise Morsman, a former schoolmate in the 
State University. She is the second daughter of 
Dr. M. J. Morsman, an old and highly respected 
citizen of Iowa City. Mr. and Mrs. Porter became 
the parents of three children, who are Charles M., 
Nellie M. and Edgar K. The two sons are en- 
gaged in the lumber business at Oskaloosa, Iowa. 
The daughter is the wife of Arthur H. Swett, and 
resides in Minneapolis. 

In the Masonic fraternity Mr. Porter stood very 
high, being a member of the Legion of Honor 
and Knights Templar. His obsequies brought iiis 
friends and brethren from all portions of this and 
neighboring Slates. The officers of the State Ag- 
ricultural Society were in attendance, and many 
distinguished citizens who, together with deputa- 
tions and commauderies of the Knights Templar, 
came to do honor to his memory. Among the 
immediate family present were the Hon. M. J. 
Morsman, from Sackett's Harbor, N. Y.; Mrs. W. 
P. and Miss Maggie Hepburn, from Washington, 
D. C; Ed M. and Herman Morsman, of Omaha; 
George W. Garner, of Cleveland, Ohio; Charles 
Chester, of Sterling, 111.; Rev. John Hay, of Min- 
neapolis; and Rev. W. Baird Craig, of Denver. 
Mr. Porter was a faithful and consistent member 



204 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



of the Christian Church in this city, to which his 
wife also belongs. In polities, he was a Repub- 
lican. Mrs. Porter still resides at the old home 
place. 

Kimball Porter, the father of our subject, was 
born in Lee, Mass., on the Fourth of July, 1803, 
and died in Iowa City June 27, 1863. From 
1831 until October, 1856, he was a resident of 
Wooster, Ohio, when he removed to Iowa City, 
here making his home until his death. He was 
made a Mason in Clinton Lodge No. 47, at Mas- 
sillon, Ohio, in 1839, and was for many years a 
member of Wooster Chapter No. 27, R. A. M., and 
during the years 1843-44 was Grand High Priest 
of the Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons in 
Ohio. After his removal to Iowa he was elected 
Grand Treasurer of the Grand Lodge of Masons 
of that State, which office he held for several j-ears. 
In 1860 he was Clerk and was installed Most Emi- 
nentGrand High Priestof the Royal Arch Masons of 
Iowa, and at the time of his death was Commander 
of Palestine Coraraandery No. 2, K. T., at Iowa 
City. 



\\\ 1^ ^' SI^^P^O^'' ^^- I^-' «"'• S"'iject, like 
\/sJ/l ™^ny others in his profession, has directed 
^^^ his study and practice to a special branch 
of surgery instead of endeavoring to cover the en- 
tire fields of that science and medicine. Judging 
by the repute in which he is held as an aurist and 
oculist, his energies have been concentrated to de- 
cided good. He was born at Gilboa, Putnam 
County, Ohio, November 8, 1847. His father, John 
Simpson, was a native of Muskingum Coun-ty, 
Ohio, and his grandfather, Thomas Simpson, born 
in Pennsylvania, was a pioneer farmer in Muskin- 
gum County, who later settled in Putnam County, 
Ohio. The Simpsons are of Scotch descent, being 
descended from the same head as the celebrated 
Sir J. Y. Simpson, of Edinburgh. 

The father of our subject cleared two farms in 
Putnam County, near Gilboa. He was a Constable 



there in 1854, then brought his family by team 
and wagon to Linn County, locating near Marion, 
and in the spring of 1855 located at Westfleld, 
the principal place in the county. Here he en- 
gaged principally in farming, but also was in the 
mercantile, hotel, omnibus and stage business. In 
the year 1861 he located in Jasper Count}-, where 
he bought a farm of two hundred and forty acres, 
in Rock Creek Township, improving and operating 
it until 1870, when he went to Kellogg and en- 
tered the mercantile business with his son, our sub- 
ject, under the firm name of Simpson & Son. In 
the fall of 1873 our subject withdrew, and the 
father continued the business until 1877, when he 
sold out and retired, and is living still at Kellogg. 

John Simpson, the father, is ex-Mayor and ex- 
Member of the School Board of Kellogg, and is 
now seventy-two years old. During the Mexi- 
can War he raised a company and was commis- 
sioned a Captain, and was all readj^ to start when 
tidings came that peace was declared. Before the 
war he was Captain of a company of home guards, 
which was disbanded in 1861, when he moved 
away. In Ohio he was an exhorter in the United 
Brethren Church, and after his coming to Iowa 
was ordained a minister, traveling a circuit for 
some years. Now he preaches occasionally, as 
health and opportunity' permit. He is a Trustee 
of the Western College, at Toledo, Iowa, a school 
of the United Brethren Churcii, a position he has 
held for years. Truly a self-made man, yet by 
stud}- and reflection he became a well-informed 
man, capable of teaching his people, as he did for 
so many years. He was an ardent Republican be- 
fore the war, as he is now; but in the ante-bellum 
d.ays he was a strong Abolitionist and was a mem- 
ber of the Underground Railway, by which he as- 
sisted a number of fugitive slaves to freedom. 

The mother of our subject was Elizabeth 
(Patrick) Simpson, and was born in Muskingum 
Count}', Ohio, of Scotch-Irish descent. She is 
sixty-eight }'ears old and has lieen the mother of 
seven boys and one girl, seven of whom are liv- 
ing, our subject being the second. There has not 
been a death in the family for forty-four 3'ears. 
Thomas, the eldest, was a soldier in Company E, 
Fourth Iowa Cavalry, enlisting in 1863 and re- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



205 



maining until the close of the war, and now resides 
in California. Our subject lived in Oiiio until 
1854, wiien he came to Linn County, }'oung as he 
was driving a team and wagon, and had a run- 
away without sustaining any injury; he also assisted 
in driving the cattle. In fact, he had been at 
woi'k in the field, hoeing corn and otherwise help- 
ing, since he was five years old. In those times 
there were no summer schools and the long and hot 
days were spent in hard work upon the farm and 
in work about the hotel, both duties keeping him 
bus}' day and night. The winters, however, af- 
forded him some rest and opportunity for school- 
ing, of which he gladly availed himself. In 1861 
he settled in Jasper County, where he helped to 
break ground, grub, clear away brush, build and 
otherwise assist in improving wild land, using 
slow oxen at the plow and for hauling. Despite his 
meagre chances he prepared himself for college and 
entered Western College, remaining during the win- 
ter of 1865-66. He then taught school for awhile, 
afterward attending Iowa College for two years, 
and following this with a full course at the Iowa 
City Business College, from which he graduated in 
1868. He then taughtschool one year, and in 1870 
went in business with his father at Kellogg, where 
lie built a store in the fall of 1873. While asso- 
ciated with his father he studied medicine with 
Dr. S. E. Hassell, and in the fall of 1873 entered 
the Hahnemann Medical College, at Chicago, from 
which he graduated in 1876 with the degree of 
M. D., supplementing this with a special course in 
physical diagnosis in the Cook County Hospital, 
Chicago. Opening an oflice at Villisca, Mont- 
gomery Count}', where he was railroad surgeon, 
he practiced until 1879 when he located at Grin- 
nell. In the year 1882 he took a special course in 
the New York Ophtiialmic Hospital, embracing in- 
struction on the ear and eye, and graduated from it 
with the degree of O. et A. Chir. Upon his return 
to Iowa he made regular trips to Des Moines after 
opening an office at Grinnell as oculist and aurist, 
his practice at the capital necessitating the opening 
of an ollice there also, at the corner of Walnut 
and Fifth Streets. This continued until 1887, when 
practice here compelled him to open an office for 
regular practice. His specialt}- of eye and ear he 



intends to resume again, he having a large yirac- 
tice at his office on Broad Street. Dr. Simpson 
owns valuable farm lands in Osceola and in Dick- 
inson Counties, Iowa. 

Our subject was married in 1871 at Kellogg, to 
Miss M. M. Pearson, a native of Allen's Grove, 
Wis., who came to Kellogg when fourteen years 
old. She has borne her husband two children, Clar- 
ence L., a graduate of the High School, and Ethe- 
lyn, at home. The Doctor is a member of the 
lodge of Master Masons, of the Chapter and of the 
Commander}' of Knights Templar; is President 
of the local association of the Iowa Legion of 
Honor, a member of the State Hahnemann Medi- 
cal Society and Secretary of the County Hahne- 
mann Medical Society. His religious views are in 
entire harmony with the doctrine and faith of the 
Congregational Church, of which he is a member. 
In politics his convictions arc fixed, the principles 
of the Republican party meeting with his hearty 
subscription and receiving liis full support. 



^I****^!^^****? 



LVIN HENRY STICKLE is one of the 
leading farmers and stock-raisers of Sher- 
idan Township, his farm being located on 
section 31. For over a quarter of a cen- 
tury he has assisted in the development of Powe- 
shiek County, which has made this one of the lead- 
counties in the sisterhood composing the State. 
He was born September 11, 1830, in Poughkeepsie, 
Dutchess County, N. Y., and passed his boyhood 
days in Canada, where his parents removed when 
he was but five years of age. He is a son of Pliilip 
and Margaret (Wheeler) Stickle, both natives of 
the Empire State, the former born in Poughkeepsie 
and the latter in Rochester. The father was a shoe- 
maker by trade and also followed farming to some 
extent. His death occurred in Northumberland 
County, Canada, the circumstances attending it 
being peculiarly tragic. He was engaged in the con- 
struction of a building and by an accidental mis- 
step was precipitated to a great distance. Of his 



206 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



family of nine children, seven sons and two daugh- 
tors, the record is as follows: JoUn, a farmer near 
Percy, Northumberland County, Canada: Emery, 
retired from business and residing in Bay City, 
Michj-Zacliariah a farmer in Michigan ; Catherine re- 
siding in Northumberland Couuty,C'anada; Charles, 
inGrinnell; Alvin, our subject; Julia Ann, who is 
married and a resident of Canada; Sidney, a far- 
mer in that countr3r; and George, who is engaged 
in farming in Michigan. They are all well-to-do 
and thoroughly respected citizens in the commu- 
nity which is their place of abode. 

Our subject's father was engaged in the War of 
the Old Rebellion of Canada, enlisting at New 
York and serving until the close of the coutlict. 
For some time he tried living in Canada, but the 
natives tried to kill him, because he would not 
take the oath of allegiance to the Canadian Gov- 
ernment. Some years later, however, he again 
moved to Canada, whore he died at the age of 
fifty-six jears. 

Alvin Henry Stickle engaged in farming for his 
father until reaching his majority, after which for 
ten years he followed the same occupation for him- 
self in Canada. In 1860 he sold out and went to 
California, where for four years he was employed 
bj' the year on a dair}- farm in Marin County, near 
the town of Olema. Returning to the East, he set- 
tled in Poweshiek County, Iowa, where he engaged 
in farming, and in 1887 purchased his present farm, 
for which he paid at the rate of §29.75 per acre. 
The property has considerably increased in value 
in the few years which have since elapsed and Mr. 
Stickle would not be persuaded to dispose of it 
for $40 an acre. The farm contains within its 
boundaries one hundred and sixty-five acres, which 
are admirabl3' kept and thoroughlj' improved. 

In Canada, Mr. Stickle and Miss Sarah Scriver 
were united in marriage. To them were born four 
children: Mar}' Jane, Henrietta, and Nancy So- 
jjhrona and Charles Wilber, deceased. The second 
daughter wedded William Jones, a farmer of Tama 
County, Iowa; while Mary is the wife of William 
Alle3', a well-known farmer of this county. Feb- 
ruary 14, 1870, Mr. Stickle wedded Miss Mary 
Tliackary, a native of England, and their union 
has been blessed with five sons and two daughteis. 



who are as follows: Francis H., George Arthur, 
William Averj', Charles Philip, Alvin Emery, 
Annie May and Ruth Evelyn. Mrs. Stickle is a 
daughter of Francis Thackary, a native of York- 
shire, England, who removed to Canada in 1845, 
and engaged in farming. His wife was before her 
marriage Miss Elizabeth Cooper, and of their three 
children the wife of our subject is the only one 
living. 

Mr. Stickle is an Orangeman, having belonged 
to the order in Canada. Both himself and wife 
are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, 
in which they are active workers. A i>ublic-spirited 
citizen, our subject has held various official posi- 
tions, among them that of Supervisor of the town- 
ship, the duties of which he filled to the satisfac- 
tion of all concerned. The family is held in the 
highest respect and numbers manj' friends in this 
locality. Mrs. Stickle has an heirloom in the 
shape of an old book of sermons that is two hun- 
dred and thirty-two years old. 



]^+^[ 



?RANK P. BURCKLE, the gonial and etli- 
^^ cient proprietor of the well-known Burekle 
House, south of the University, Iowa City, 
Johnson County, Iowa, keeps a first-class hotel of 
thirty-two rooms, warmed by steam heat and thor- 
oughly ventilated, the apartments being commodi- 
ous and well furnished. In all the details so neces- 
sary to the comfort and convenience of local custom 
and the traveling public, he is thoroughly posted, 
giving his entire attention to the welfare of the 
guests who make the Burekle House their tempor- 
ary home. A native of Germany, our subject was 
born in the Fatherland April 2, 1827, and was the 
onl}' child, and his father dying when he was 
about six weeks old he knows but little of his pa- 
ternal ancestrj'. When seven years of age, Mr. 
Burekle began the battle of life,working upon a farm 
and actively engaging in the arduous duties of ag- 
riculture for about eight years, when he began to 
learn the trade of clock-making, in which more 
congenial employment he was busily engaged in 
his native land until he attained his majority. 



•tk&'. 




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



209 



At twenty-one years of age our subject jour- 
neyed to Switzerland, and there entered a ma- 
chine shop, in which he worked for one and a-half 
years, at the expiration of that time returning to 
Germany, wliere he found ready employment in a 
musical instrument manufacturing company, and 
continued in the service of the same three years. 
In 1850 Mr. Burckle decided to emigrate to Amer- 
ica, and having crossed the broad Atlantic, lo- 
cated in Boston, and for six years labored in a 
steam gauge manufactory, and for some time after 
was engaged in a brass and locomotive works. In 
1861 our subject came to the West, and departing 
from his usual line of work opened a candy store, 
which he profitably conducted for two j^ears. His 
first venture as a landlord was made in a small 
boarding-house which occupied the land where the 
commodious Burckle House now stands. Frank 
P. Burckle came to this country a single man, but 
was married in 1853, in Boston, being united in 
marriage with Miss Muchenbcrger, a native of 
Germany, and a most estimable lady, who passed 
away regretted by all who knew her in the year 
1887. 

Mr. and Mrs. Burckle were the parents of seven 
bright and intelligent children. Lizzie is the wife 
of George Bluller, of Cedar Rapids; Lena is de- 
ceased; Frank is deceased; Amelia is the wife of 
8. H. McManus; Anna is now in England visit- 
ing; Otto is a shorthand reporter and is located 
at Cedar Rapids; Albert is also on a visit to Eng- 
land. Our subject arrived in America with a cap- 
ital of but $250, but in the various lines of busi- 
ness in which he has so industriously engaged has 
been continuously prospered and has liberally ed- 
ucated his children, giving them advantages for 
higlier study and desired accomplishments. Mrs. 
Burckle was noted for her kindness of heart and 
affectionate and loving nature. Always interested 
in social and benevolent enterprises, she was also 
an attendant amid scenes of sorrow and suffering, 
and her memory will long be cherished b}- all 
who knew and loved her. Our subject has led a 
life of industry now rewarded by a competence 
with which he is bestowing upon his family 
and numerous pensioners of his l)ounty needed 
comforts and many pleasures of life. During his 



entire term of residence in his adopted country, 
Mr. Burckle has been self-reliantly winning his 
upward way, and in all things pertaining to the 
public welfare has been in full accord with the 
spirit of our republican institutions, proving him- 
self in word and deed a thoroughly public-spirited 
American citizen, and gaining from all with whom 
he conies in social contact their hearty friendship 
and best wishes. 



ILES CIIAFEE. The benevolent counte- 
nance of our subject affords no evidence of 
his judicial character; so kind is the gleam 
-* of his eye that a stranger would never 

suppose that he is daily called upon to administer 
justice to culprits. Yet he is the oldest Justice of 
the Peace in point of service in the city of Grinnell, 
Iowa, having been continuously in oHice since 1874; 
and much as it may distress his gentle nature, his 
sense of duty urges him to the administration of 
justice, tempered, however, with all-blessed mere)'. 
In addition to this public service he is a collection, 
pension and claim agent. He was born at Spring- 
ville, FA-ie County, N. Y., thirty miles south of 
Buffalo, October 18, 1821, being the son of Charles 
Chafee, who was born in Rhode Island, and the 
grandson of Stephen Chafee, also a native of Riiode 
Island, a farmer, a soldier of the Revolutionary- 
AVar,and a pioneer of Springville, where he ended 
his days. The Chafees are of good English stock, 
and the grandfather and father were Presbyterians. 
The father of our subject went first to Rutland, 
Vt., then removed to Erie County, N. Y., follow- 
ing the occupation of a farmer in both places, 
having one hundred acres in the latter countj-. 
Here he resided until his death, at the age of 
seventy-eight years. He was a AVhig until the 
death of that partj- and the organization of the Re- 
publican, when he connected himself with the latter, 
and supported it loyally as long as he lived. The 
mother of our subject, Polly (Miles) Chafee, was 
born at Rutland, Yt., the daughter of Joel Miles, a 
soldier of the Revolution, a farmer of Rutland and 



210 



POxtTRAlT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



a worthy and good man. The Miles family came 
from England in the old Colonial days, and father 
and daughter were Presbyterians. One son of Joel's, 
the Rev. Abner Miles, was a minister of that church 
and pastor of the same charge for fifty years. The 
motiier of our subject died in Erie County, N. Y., 
at the age of eighty-four. She was the mother of 
ten children, three of whom are living. 

Our subject. Miles Chafee, was the ninth child 
and the only member of his family who came West 
or who lived outside of Erie County. He was 
reared at Springville, where he was educated in the 
academ}', completing his course at the age of seven- 
teen, when he began teaching in his native count}'; 
after that lie taught two years in Washington, Pa., 
then completed his academic course, which he fol- 
lowed by teaching until he was twenty -seven 3'ears 
old. Natural taste for tools led him to become a 
carpenter and joiner, a trade he followed in Erie 
Count}', and then took up contracting and build- 
ing. Although he found his business profitable, 
the poor health of his wife led liim to come West, 
so, in June, I 855, he drove to Buffalo, took a boat to 
Racine and tlien went to Allen's Grove, Walworth 
County, where lie located and engaged in con- 
tracting and building, accumulating in time eighty 
acres of land. He began the manufacture of mills 
in 18(50, continuing at the same time in the con- 
tracting business, but in 1868 he closed out there 
and removed to Grinnell, where he resumed the 
manufacture of fanning mills. 

Tlieso mills became known as the "Grinnell," 
and won a merited fame, he making many improve- 
ments upon them from time to lime. He placed more 
than one hundred and fifty in warehouses, mills, 
etc., continuing this business until 1889, when he 
was burned out and did not resume it. Mr. Chafee 
was elected a Justice of the Peace in 1874 and has 
been re-elected at every election since. Starting 
his ollice in 187(5, he has faithfully attended to all 
his ollicial as well as personal business ever since. 
Among the former is that of Township Clerk, to 
which he was elected in 1871, holding it continu- 
ously to date. Our subject is owner of much val- 
uable property. He owns the Chafee Block, on 
Commercial Street, forty-six and one-h.alf by sixty- 
five feet, erected in 1889, two stories high, and 



having an elevator. It is occupied by the Morrison 
Glove Factory and Bump's Meat Market, and has, 
beside, a substantial office in it. He also owns other 
valuable business property and good residence prop- 
erty in Grinnell, including his own handsome home 
on South Main Street, and a nice farm of eighty 
acres in Hickory (irove Township, Jasper County, 
which he rents out. 

Our subject was married at Springville, N. Y., in 
1847, to Miss Caroline E. Minor, born in Chautau- 
qua County, N. Y., May 2, 182(5, a daughter of 
Marvin M. Miniir, of Erie County, N. Y. She has 
borne him three children, viz: Addie G., wife of 
John C. Walker, of Grinnell; Charles M., a farmer, 
of Billings, Mont.; and Susie M., wife of Pi-of. C. A. 
Taylor, of Seattle, Wash. The political faith of 
our subject has never been questioned, he being a 
straight and unqualified Republican, which party 
has shown a confidence in and attachment for him 
rarely equaled. He has, beside being elected Jus- 
tice and Town Clerk so frequently, been School 
Director for two terms; has been Overseer of the 
Poor more than eight years; was City Treasurer 
five years, and was elected and re-elected County 
Coroner. It is believed he has had more cases be- 
fore him than any other Justice in Poweshiek 
County. He has been a Deacon in the Congrega- 
tional Church for upwards of twenty years, and 
was Treasurer of the church for sixteen years. 
His influence for good is great in his community, 
so correct and honest in his life. He is also notice- 
able in politics, where he takes a leading part and 
is quite iiromincnt at conventions of liis party. 



i>^^<m 



JRANK C. ROCK, the popular County Audi- 
tor-elect of Iowa County, and a resident 
of Williamsburg, is one of the county's na- 
tive sons, his birth having taken place in Fillmore 
Township October 26, 1861. He Is one of a fam- 
ily of nine children born to John and Catherine 
(Cain) Rock. They were both natives of the Em- 
erald Isle, and were among the pioneers of this 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



211 



county. Our subject grew to man's estate on his 
father's farm, and until reaciiing liis twenty-first 
year had received only a comraon-scliool educa- 
tion. Determining to get a more liberal one, and 
beginning more and more to appreciate the advan- 
tages afforded by a wider range of studies, not- 
withstanding his age, he entered as a student at 
the Northern Indiana Normal School and Business 
College at Valparaiso. Here he worked his way, 
having no financial assistance from any one, and 
at the expiration of a year and a half completed 
his course, after which he taught school in Wash- 
ing, Keokuk and Sac Counties, Iowa, and later 
in his native count3^ Iowa. For some time he 
taught during the winter season, and worked on 
the farm or in the tile business during the remain- 
der of the year, in fact, whatever presented itself 
and paid the best. 

In 1889 Mr. Rock served as Assessor of Fillmore 
Township, and in that year was brought forward 
in the convention b}' his friends as a candidate 
for County Superintendent of Schools, but was de- 
feated for the nomination. In the convention for 
the nomination of county' officers in 1892, his 
name was presented for the office of County Au- 
ditor, and he was nominated by a large majority. 
He was elected the following fall, carrying his own 
township by a largely increased majority, which 
certainly speaks very highly for him, as where 
he was best known he received his heaviest in- 
crease. At the time he was elected to his present 
responsible position, he was serving as a clerk in a 
hardware store in Williamsburg. He owns a farm 
in Fillmore Township, and property in Sac County. 
August 19, 1891, Mr. Rock was united in mar- 
riage with Miss Kittle M. Hanson, aj^oung lady of 
superior culture, a graduate of the Iowa County' 
Normal School, and for five years was a successful 
teacher in the public schools of this place. They 
have a little son named John Emmett, who was 
born on Decoration Day of 1892. Mr. Rock is a 
type of the wide-awake and self-made man, who is 
making fame and fortune in spite of numerous 
difficulties and obstacles in his way. He is a life- 
long Democrat, and a member of tlie Catholic 
Church. 

A brother of our subject. .John W., is a wealthy 



farmer and prominent man in Sac County; An- 
drew T. is a rising young attornejr of West Su- 
perior, Wis., and a member of the law firm of Reed, 
Grace it Rock; Henry J., who is a graduate of the 
Northern Indiana Normal School, is a teacher at 
Big Stone City, S. Dak.; and James F. is the Clerk 
of the Municipal Court of West Superior. 



jil-^"i^lfi^#!%ii^ 



\l^^^*-''^^^^"^'^ F. KIME, an honored pioneer 
I I)) citizen, successful agricultuiist and worthy 
/i\/i^ representative of the Grand Army of the 
Republic, has been a resident of his present local- 
ity for two-score years and owns a valuable home- 
stead on section 26, Hartford Township, Iowa 
County, Iowa. A brave and lo3'aI man, of un- 
doubted integrity of character, and for many 
years closely identified with the growing interests 
and rapid advancement of the enterprises of his 
adopted State, our subject enjoys the thorough 
confidence and esteem of the general public and 
possesses the sincere friendship of a host of old- 
time acquaintances. Mr. Kime is a native of Sen- 
eca County, Ohio, and was born September 17, 
1830. His paternal grandfather, Jacob Kime, a 
Virginia farmer, was born in the Old Dominion 
but was of direct German ancestrj'. He lived to 
be ninety-six years of age and died in his early 
home after a life of busy usefulness. 

The father of our subject, William Kime, was a 
native of Berkeley County, Va., but emigrated to 
Seneca County, Ohio, about 1823, and settled in 
the dense woods, from which not even one stick 
of timber had yet been cut. With energy and 
persevering industry he cleared his land and en- 
tered upon the cultivation of the soil. At first 
wild game was abundant ajid the Indians were his 
most frequent visitors, but as time passed on cir- 
cumstances and surroundings underwent a great 
change, and the advancing tide of emigration 
drove to the farther West the red man and his 
lawful game. After fifty-four years' residence in 
his Ohio home, AVilliam Kime died November 30, 



212 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1872, aged seventy-seven j'ears. He Lad taken 
an active part in tlie War of 1812 and was a fear- 
less man and patriotic citizen. The mother, Mar- 
garet (Mouser) Kime, was, like her lmsband,a Vir- 
ginian by birth and of German descent. She died 
July 28, 1876, and, a loving mother, left behind 
her five children, of whom three svirvive. Nicho- 
las F. was the fourth child of his parents' family, 
and went to the little neighboring school when he 
could be spared from his labor upon the farm. 
Remaining dutifully with his father and mother 
until he had attained manhood, our subject ar- 
rived at twenty-three years of age, and then de- 
determined to tr^' his fortune in the Western State 
of Iowa. 

It was upon a SeiHemhcr da^' of 18.o3 that Mr. 
Kime began his work as a farm laborer upon an 
Iowa homestead in Iowa County. For his efficient 
service he received §12 per month for one j'car, 
and then entered into agricultural duties upon his 
own account, first having located a tract of land 
on section 26, Hartford Township. Settlers were 
few and far between in this locality, but our sub- 
ject went bravely to work, and breaking the stub- 
born prairie with a patient ox-team, proceeded with 
the cultivation of the soil. The nearest mill and 
market were at Iowa Cit3'and thither occasionally 
Mr. Kime nitent upon business, betook himself, but 
the pleasure of the trip was frequently marred by 
the wearisome travel, or the storms which swept 
across the open country. 

At the first summons of the Government our 
subject enlisted, on the 1st of November, 1861, in 
the Fourth Iowa Cavalry, and served with gallan- 
try three 3^ears, one month and three days. Con- 
stantly at the front and hourly facing the dangers 
of the battle-field, capture and the prison-pen, Mr. 
Kime actively participated in numerous decisive 
battles and hand-to-hand skirmishes. He was pres- 
ent at the capture and burning of the saltpeter 
works on White River, Zellville, Ark., April 18, 
1862, and was in the thick of the fight at Talbert 
Ferry, Ark., April 19, 1802. November 8, 1862, 
he fought at Anderson's Plantation and was pres- 
ent at the fierce encounter at La (Trange, Ark. 
Continuing the record, he was actively engaged at 
Big Creek, Ark., March 8, 186.S; Lawquille River, 



April 8, 1863; Fourteen Mile Creek May 12, 1863; 
Mississippi Springs, May 13, 1863; Jackson, Miss., 
May 14, 1863; raid on Brandon, Miss., May 14 
and 15; Brownsville, Miss., May 18, 1863; Heights 
of Mechanicsburgh, Ma}' 24 and 29, inclusive, also 
June 4, 1863; siege of Vicksburg from May 18 to 
July 4, 1863; Clinton, Miss., July 8, 1863; Gren- 
ada, Miss., August 17, 1863; and Cold water, Miss., 
August 22, 1863. Eighty days were spent in follow- 
ing up Price's raid. Our subject was mustered out 
at Memphis, Tenn.,and received his last payments 
at Cairo, 111. 

Mr. Kime had with patriotic ardor, true hero- 
ism and unwavering rectitude answered to his 
country's call, leaving behind his home, wife and 
four children, to whom he returned after his long 
absence and was received almost as one delivered 
from certain death. Our subject had been united 
in marriage February 22, 1855, with Miss Sarah 
Bair, of Seneca Count}*, Ohio, her parents' fainil}' 
being native Virginians. The pleasant home of 
Mr. and ]\Ls. Kime has been blessed by the pres- 
ence of four happy children. Ida A., the eldest, is 
the wife of A. J. Clark, a farmer of Iowa County; 
Theodora is the wife of Rolhn Fiser; Nora is the 
wife of J. Borucki, a prosperous j'oung farmer; 
Margaret F. (deceased) was the wife of J. P. Ty- 
ler. The estimable wife of our subject is a valued 
member of the Methodist Protestant Church, and 
with her bright and intelligent daughters has been 
active in good and is highly esteemed by a large 
circle of friends. For all his weary years of labor 
in the AVestern wilds, our subject has received ex- 
cellent returns, and his industrious thrift has been 
rewarded bj- a comfortable competence. His two 
hundred and eighty-five acres of valuable land 
are finely cultivated and improved with excellent 
farm buildings and an attractive and commodious 
family residence. 

Mr. Kime has been a most successful breeder of 
Shorthorn cattle and has profitably' handled su- 
perior di"aft horses, but of late has devoted less 
time to this branch of agricultural work. The 
$100 our subject early possessed as a capital for 
investment he i)ut into eighty acres of land, which 
was tlie small beginning of a bright and prosperous 
future. Politically, Mr. Kime is an ardent Repub- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



213 



lican and has held with great ability various local 
positions of trust. For several years at intervals 
he was Township Trustee and finally for nine con- 
secutive years efHciently discharged the duties of 
the office, rendering valuable assistance in local 
enterpiises and improvements. Fraternally, he is a 
member of Bricker Post No. 145, G. A. R., Ladora. 
He is also connected with Mctor Lodge No. 195, 
I. O. O. F., and both within and without these 
honored orders has many devoted friends, who 
thoroughly appreciate his public spirit and honor 
his unspotted record as a faithful soldier and up- 
right citizen. 



f/,_^ ON. L. R. WOLFE, one of the most popu- 
jj lar and prominent citizens of Iowa, who 
has held with honor and distinction the 
various leading and important town- 
ship and county offices, and ably represented his 
district for two terms in the Legislative Assembly, 
is widely known as "Captain " Wolfe. A long-time 
resident of Johnson County, he makes his home 
upon section 20, and is an extensive grain and 
stock dealer of Oxford, and is also a stockholder 
and Director of the Oxford State Bank. Our sub- 
ject was born in Knox County, Ohio, April 22, 
1825, and was the son of early and honored pio- 
neer settlers of the Buckeye State. Capt. Wolfe 
was the fourth child and third son of his family' 
and was reared and educated in his native place, 
attending in early childhood the little subscription 
school of the district. lie dutifully remained at 
home with his father until twenty-two years of age, 
assisting in the daily round of cares and receiving 
a thorough and practical training which well 
fitted him to assume the burdens and responsibil- 
ities of life. 

Our subject was upon April 21), 1816, united in 
marriage with Miss Elizabeth Lindsley,a native of 
Ohio, and a lady of superior culture and refiuement. 
Capt. Wolfe remained in his native State engaged 
in clearing and opening up farms until 1851, when 



he removed with his family to Iowa, locating in 
Madison Township, Johnson County, where he 
bought a partially improvecl farm and engaged in 
general agriculture until the breaking out of the 
Civil War. At this epoch of our country's history 
our subject patriotically volunteered and in 1862 
enlisted in Company E, Twenty-eighth Iowa Infan- 
try, but did not go out with them, in the same 
year raisinga company of the .Sixth Iowa Cavalry, 
for the Indian War in the West, and was elected 
Captain, serving until 1865. Capt. Wolfe bravely 
participated in many hard-fought battles with the 
Indians and at the close of the war returned again to 
his family and resumed farming duties. While in 
military service in the far West our subject became 
a renowned hunter, killing many deer and always 
bringing down every bufTalo he "sighted," and was 
well known as one of the best shots in the com- 
pany. 

Politically, Capt. Wolfe is a strong Democrat, 
and was elected to the Eighteenth General Assembly 
of the State Legislature in 1880, and so well repre- 
sented his constituents, ably performing each duty 
assigned him, that in 1882 he was re-elected by a 
large majority. For three terms our subject effi- 
ciently tilled the office of Township Supervisor and 
was for two years a member of the County Board 
of Supervisors. He was also Trustee of the Pre- 
cinct, and as a citizen of enterprise, has aided in Ihe 
promotion and establishment of the Oxford State 
Bank, of which he is not only a Director but a 
meraberof the Executive Coma-ittee, his level head 
and sterling common-sense proving invaluable bal- 
last in various public and private transactions of 
financial importance. Capt. Wolfe has only been 
a resident of his present home in Oxford Township 
since the early part of 1887, but his acquaintance 
throughout Johnson County began more than two- 
score years ago. 

Our subject and his estimable wife have been 
blessed by the birth of five children, three sons 
and two daughters. Mahlon K. vvas the eldest-born ; 
then follow C. Douglas; Lewis A.; Phtebe, the 
wife of William Hardie; and Lucinda, deceased. A 
kind father, devoted husband, sincere friend and 
public-spirited citizen, Capt. Wolfe has worthily 
borne himself in every relaliun in life and, a tjenial 



214 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



man, liberal in sentiment and progressive in ideas, 
firmly holds the warm regard of a host of old ae- 
(luaintances, and is highly respected by all who 
know him. Mis broad intelligence and rectitnde 
of character long ago commended him to public 
service, and never neglecting the work of to-day 
for the care of to-morrow, he conscientiously dis- 
ciiarged tlie obligations of office and has passed un- 
scathed through the fiery ordeal of public life 
without one blot or stain upon the record of his 
useful and honored career. 






mmm 



\^^ 



ll]_ ON. SAMUEL J. MURPHY. To the people 
(f jli of Iowa County, as well as the surrounding 
<£>/!^' counties, the name that heads tiiis sketch is 
\^j by no means an unfamiliar one, as for many 
years he has been identified with the interests of 
the county, and is a well-to-do and successful ag- 
riculturist. He was born in Bedford County', Va., 
February 1, 1810, of which county his father, 
Samuel Murphy, was also a native, the grandfather, 
John Murphy, having been born in England. He 
came to this country before the Revolutionary 
War, and took up his residence in Bedford County, 
Va., where he became the owner of about six hun- 
dred acres of land and a large number of slaves, 
one hundred of whom he freed at the time of the 
War of 1812. He was very extensively engaged 
in planting, and his prosperity and general intelli- 
gence and culture ranked him among the K. F. V.'s. 
He was a Whig in politics, a Methodist in religious 
belief, but left his church because it advocated 
slavery, and this did not at all suit one of his ad- 
vanced views. He died at a ripe old age, having 
become the father of a large family. 

Samuel Murphy was a shoemaker b^' trade, and 
followed that occupation in Virginia until after 
the War of 1812, when he, with a six-horse team, 
crossed the mountains and settled in Mercer 
County, Ky., but unfortunately soon after his 
arrival all his property was destroyed by fire, and 
three or four years later he moved to Jackson 



County, Ind., of which he was one of the very 
first settlers. He continued to follow his trade in 
the home of his adoption until his death, at about 
the age of forty years. He was a Whig in politics. 
His wife, Mary Leftwich, was a native of 15edford 
County, Va., and bore her husband thirteen chil- 
dren, but reared only seven to maturity. She 
died when over eightj' years of age. 

Samuel J. Murphy was theseventh of their chil- 
dren, and was principally reared in Jackson 
County, Ind., being quite a small boy when his 
parents settled in that region. His education was 
confined to the old logschoolhouse of that period, 
the floor being of dirt and the window lights of 
greased paper, but at the age of fourteen 3'ears the 
privilege of attending even this primitive estab- 
lishment was denied him, for he was apprenticed 
for seven years to learn the hatter's trade. At 
the end of the allotted time he formed a partner- 
slii]) with his former master, and for three years 
successfully conducted the business. He was mar- 
ried February 13, 1831, to Miss Elizabeth Warner, 
who was born in Maryland, and to them four chil- 
dren were given, Nancy, Wilber F., James R. and 
Elizabeth, three of whom grew to maturity. The 
mother of these children died when about thirty- 
two years old, and in 1842 Mr. Murphy took for 
his second wife Sophia H. Nunbaiger, who was 
born in Washington County, Ind., in 1825, and in 
due course of time presented her husband with 
seven children: Samuel S., Emery W., William 
and John being the only ones living. Two sons, 
S. S. and J. L)., were given a good collegiate 
course, and graduated from Mt. Pleasant Univer- 
sity, known as the Iowa Western. Our subject 
is the first man in Iowa County to have his 
sons complete their education. J. D., the young- 
est son, was selected by the faculty of the Institu- 
tion as orator for the entire graduating class, and 
acquitted himself with commendable honor. He 
also has the reputation of being a successful and 
eloquent lawyer and is counted one of the best 
of his profession in Illinois and Iowa. Emery, 
the second sou by the second marriage, would 
have been given the advantages of a liberal educa- 
tion had it not been for an affliction of almost 
total deafness. AV. B. from childhood was such 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



215 



an incessant vporkcr that liis father had to almost 
drive him to the schoolhouse that he might get a 
little education. He is now the principal owner 
of Murphy's Ranch, but for fifteen or twenty 
j'ears he was a cowboy in the far West, and to- 
day he owns about two thousand acres of Nebraska 
soil. He and William were employed on their 
father's farm until reaching twelve and thirteen 
years of age, respectively, when they started in 
life on their own account, and b}' industry and 
perseverance are now deserving of the re[)utation 
they bear as independent and prominent men. 

After giving up the calling of a hatter, Mr. Mur- 
phy turned his attention to farming and continued 
to till on rented land until October, 1850, when 
became to Iowa County, Iowa, by wagon, camping 
out on the way. He had only $3 in money and 
an old gun when he arrived here. For some time 
thereafter in order to provide the necessaries of 
life for his family he split rails for a living, but 
in 1853 laid a land warrant which his brother sent 
him, on which he erected a hewed-log house and 
began developing his land. This farm he finally 
sold, and after residing in Marengo for five years, 
during which time he sent his children to the public 
schools, he, in 1871, became the owner of his pres- 
ent farm, which is a beautiful and valuable tract 
of land, vvell improved with substantial buildings, 
fences, etc. Mr. Murphy has long been a member 
of the Methodist Episcopal Church and politically 
is a radical Republican. He made the race for the 
(Slate Legislature and was elected in 1876, but as 
this was a special session and was never called, he 
consequently never served. 

.September 2, 1862, he enlisted in the Union 
army, although exempt from service on account 
of his age, but joined what was known as the 
"Greybeard Regiment" and did guard and pro- 
vost dut}- in Missouri. He suffered severely from 
exposure, which almost resulted in the loss of his 
life, and after a service of nearly two years, he 
was honorabl3' discharged on account of disability. 
He has seen almost the entire growth of Iowa 
County', and his life spans the gulf between the 
time of the sickle and self-binding reaper. He has 
kept pace with the progress of the times, is an 
exceptionally well-informed and well-read man, 



and since 1882 has read the Bible through thirty 
times. Besides various standard newspapers, he 
has taken and read the Western ClirtsUaii Advocate 
continuously for sixty years. His children have 
all been a credit to him and several of them are 
intelligent ministers of the Gospel, and one of 
them, S. S., is Presiding Elder of Inde|)endence. 
Throughout his long career, Mr. Murjjhy's life has 
been characterized b^' the noblest of principles and 
it can truly be said that he never willingly 
wronged a human being. In religion, particularly, 
our subject was an active and prominent worker, 
and in the Conference of Southern Kansas at 
one time he held the place next to Bishop. 






cfl l»; ALTER A. LITTLE, one of the most 
\/\/i P''*-"iiiu'^"t business men of the city of 
^^^ Griunell, Iowa, a popular and pleasant 
gentleman, is the subject of this sketch. At pres- 
ent he is serving his fellow-citizens as Alderman 
from the Fourth Ward, and is the affable pro- 
prietor of the Bazaar, located on the corner of 
Broad and Commercial Streets, while he also holds 
the position of correspondent for the Marshall- 
town Times-Iiepublican. Thus it may be seen 
that our subject holds a prominent position in the 
eyes of his fellow-citizens, and a short sketch of 
his career will prove interesting. In the town of 
Hollis, N. H., the grandfather, AbnerB. Little, was 
born, and there became a farmer and fruit-raiser. 
In 1836 he came West with the Weatherfleld col- 
ony, and died in Illinois after entering land and 
engaging in farming in that State. His father had 
come from England and settled in Newburyport, 
Mass. 

The father of Walter A. Little was born in Hol- 
lis, N. H., and accompanied his father to Illinois, 
and when he grew to manhood, improved a farm 
near Kewanee, consisting of three hundred acres. 
For forty years he was a chorister, and taught 
singing schools during the winters. His gift was 



216 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



appreciated in liis cliiireli connection, and for 
many years lie was one of the valued singers in 
the Congregational Church. In politics, he is a 
Kt-publican, believing firmly in the principles of 
that party. The name of his wife was Lavantia 
Erwin, who was born in Delaware County, N. Y., 
and she is still spared to her family, both she and 
her husband being in good health. One of the 
reminiscences of the early life in Illinois is of an 
accident to her grandfather while out hunting, by 
which he lost his life. Nine children were born 
to Mr. and Mrs. Little, Sr. 

Our subject was born in Kevvanee, Henry County, 
111., October 8, 1854, the second eldest in the fam- 
ily of nine children, eight of whom are still liv- 
ing. He was reared on a farm, and received a 
common-school education, and this was supple- 
mented by a course in the Kewanee Academy, 
from which he was graduated at the age of nine- 
teen years. He remained at home until he was 
twenty-one, and taught singing school in the win- 
ters. He then engaged in the mercantile business 
at Kewanee until 1877. At this time he came to 
Grinuell, where for eighteen months he engaged 
in business with Haulin & Co., in drugs, books and 
stationery; later, for three months he was with C 
J. Bayer, in dry goods, and February 2, 1879, he 
opened his present business. For two years he 
carried on business on this site in a wooden struc- 
ture, but it was soon found too small, and a change 
was made to the Scott Building, where he carried 
a larger stock and remained four years. He es- 
caped the great lire by having moved to another 
block. 

In 1889, in the fall of the year, our subject lo- 
cated in the G. W. M.ack Block, belonging to his 
father-in-law, and here he has remained ever since. 
Tills building is very well suited to the demands 
of a large and prosperous business like the Bazaar, 
necessitating as it does the use of two floors. The 
first floor is 22x80 feet, the second 40x80, and the 
basement, which is used for storage, 22x80. Dur- 
ing the holiday season our subject conducted a 
second store in the Gifford it Manly Block, where 
there is a store-room of 25x70 feet. The name Ba- 
zaar tells what may be found under the roof of the 
business house of our subject, but we might men- 



tion that beside all the choice and beautiful arti- 
cles of every description which the good taste of 
Mr. Little provides for his customers, he carries a 
special line of fine wall papers and window shades, 
and the best high-grade goods for ladies and gen- 
tlemen. 

Our subject was married September 6, 1878, to 
Miss Ella Mack, a native of Lenox, Berkshire 
County, Mass., a daughter of George W. Mack, 
who was born in Massachusetts, where his father 
before him had settled after coming from Eng- 
land. In 1868 Mv. George Mack left his farm in 
Massachusetts, and removed to the neighborhood 
of Grinnell, Iowa, where he engaged in farming 
for three 3'ears. He later started a fine restaurant 
in the oily, the finest here. During the progress 
of the late war he was in the Sixth Massachusetts 
Light Artillery, and is an ardent Grand Army 
man. The mother of Mrs. Little was named Cy- 
belia A. Langdon, born in Oxford, Berkshire 
County, Mass., daughter of Hon. Albert Langdon, 
who for two years was a member of the Massachu- 
setts Legislature. Mrs. Little was an only child, 
and was educated here. One child has been born 
to our subject and his wife, Mary E. 

In the spring of 1891 our subject was elected as 
a Republican Alderman from the Fourth Ward of 
the city, and immediately became prominent on 
the Board, being made Chairman of the Finance 
Committee, and a member of the Public Ground 
Committee, and was re-elected to the same posi- 
tion in the spring of 1893, the term being for two 
years. Socially, he is a member of the Ancient 
Free & Accepted Masons; is a member of the 
Driving Park Association, and Superintendent of 
the Game Department of the Agricultural Society. 
He is a member of the Congregational Church, and 
for five years has been chorister of the church, and 
for ten years of the Sund.ay-school. In politics, 
he is a Republican, as was his father, and he sup- 
ports the principles taught him in youth. In 1891 
he became the correspondent for the Times-Rejmb- 
lican, of Marshalltown, supplying to that very 
newsy and flourishnig sheet from one-half to one 
and one-half columns a day, and since that time 
the paper has increased in circulation from about 
twenty-five to two hundred copies. 




Capt. Geo R.Hall 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECOEI) 



219 



eAFr. GEORGE R. HALL. Tliis part of 
Iowa has proved a mine of wealth to 
thousands of industrious and earnest farm- 
ers who have come hither from the East and by 
dint of hard work and enterprise have developed 
the resources which Nature so liberally provided. 
Among these is the well-known citizen whose 
name appears at the head of this sketch, who was 
born in Washington County, N. Y., January 7, 
1840, a son of Holman H. Hall, a native of Ver- 
mont, who was born in 1804. The latter was of 
English descent, his ancestors having come to this 
country from England during the Colonial period 
of this country. Holman H. Ilall was a mason by 
trade and about 1820 became a citizen of the State 
of New York, where he was afterwaids united in 
marriage with Miss Jane AVilson, a native of the 
Empire State, born in 1810. The father, who was a 
Whig in politics, and for a number of years a 
Captain in the New York State militia, was a man 
of much worth, and died at the age of flfty-six 
years, his wife having been called from life at the 
age of thirt}'-thi-ee years. 

George R. Hall was reared on the paternal farm 
in Washington County, N. Y., and in the district 
schools of that section he obtained his initiatory 
training, which he afterwards finished in an acad- 
emy at Salem and Granville. At the tender age 
of eleven years he was compelled to rely upon 
his own exertions for support, and being unac- 
quainted with the ways of the world he found 
it quite difficult to secure a livelihood for a num- 
ber of years. He worked at farm labor by the 
month, receiving $3.50 for his services, but after a 
time he began learning the mason's trade, at 
which he served a three-years' apprenticeship. 

Our subjecttaught two terms of school in his na- 
tive county, but upon the firing on Ft. Sumter, he 
became forgetful of self and thought only of his 
country's peril. He at once offered his services to 
the Union and on the 4th of September, 1862, his 
name could be found on the rolls of Company E, 
One Hundred and Twent3'-third New York In- 
fantry. He was sent to Washington, D. C, and 
there and at Harper's Ferry was held in reserve 
until the spring of 1863, when they joined the 
main body of the Army of the Potomac and took 

10 



part in the battle of Chancellorsville and Gettys- 
burg. His command then went West under Gen. 
Hooker and joined the Western Army at Chatta- 
nooga, Teun., after which he took part in the bat- 
tles of Atlanta, Resaca, New Hope Church, Dallas, 
Cassville, Marietta, Kenesaw Mountain, Chatta- 
hoochie River and Peach Tree Creek and then came 
the siege of Atlanta and the famous march to tlie 
sea, with all its attendant engagements, the taking 
of Savannah, and the march through the Caro- 
liuas, the engagements at Averysboro, Benton- 
ville, Jonesboro and Raleigh, N. C, where news 
reached them of Lee's surrender and caused great 
rejoicing. His military career was closed with the 
Grand Review at Washington, D. C, and after be- 
ing mustered out of the service on the 8th of 
June, 1865, he returned home, and once more took 
up the interrupted duties of civil life. In the fall 
of 1865, he came West and located in Iowa City, 
where he followed his trade for one year, after 
which he clerked in a store a like length of time. 

On the 2oth of November, 1868, our subject 
was married to Miss Mary R. GufBn, who was born 
in Schoharie County, N. Y., August 7, 1841, but in 
1855 came to Iowa with her parents, Josiali and 
Modena (Roscoe) GufHn,nativesof the State of New 
York. Her father was a farmer and cultivated 
three hundred and sixty acres of land, on which he 
died in the eighty-ninth year of his age, his wife's 
death occurring at the age of eighty-two years, and 
both were members of the Presbj-terian Church. 
Capt. Hall and his wife have a family of four chil- 
dren: Modena J., Ernest H., Clarence W. and 
Ruth E. The Captain has one hundred and sixty 
acres of land in the home tract, and eighty-five 
acres in Liberty Township, all of which is im- 
proved and under cultivation. Although he has 
given much attention to the culture of grain, the 
greater part of his attention has been given to 
the raising of stock, and he has done consider- 
able work as a dairyman. He was one of the in- 
corporators of the Sharon Butter and Cheese Com- 
pany, and was one of the prime movers in its es- 
tablishment. 

In November, 1886, Capt. Hall's house was 
burned to the ground. It was partially insured, 
and in 1888 his barn was struck by lightning 



220 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



and also burned. The present large and band- 
some frame residence in which he now lives was 
erected in 1886, and the fine barn in 1887. He and 
his wife have pinned their faith to the Presby- 
terian Church, and he has been the elHcient Su- 
perintendent of the Sunday-school for a number 
of years. Capt. Hall cast his first Presidential 
vote for " Old Abe," and ever since then has been 
a stanch Republican, supporting its principles at 
every election. He was Clerk of the township for 
twelve years and served as Assessor for two years. 
He is a member of Iowa City Post No. 8, G. 
A. R., of which he is a highly honored member. 
He attained his title of Captain July 26, 1863, 
having prior to that time served as First Lieuten- 
ant, to which office he was appointed on entering 
the service. The career of Capt. Hall is an en- 
couraging illustration of what may be accom- 
plished bj' a young man without means, for, like 
so many others, he began life emptj'-handed, and 
the fine property of which he is now possessed, he 
has earned by his own individual efforts. 



ii^^i'^i^! 



S7 EROY RUNDELL, President of the Johu- 
I ((eJ' son County' Agricultural Society, a success- 
| *^^i ful general farmer and extensive stock- 
raiser located upon section 18, Scott Township, 
.Johnson County, Iowa, is a large feeder of cattle 
and profitably bandies immense numbers, which he 
fattens for market. Our subject was born in Cay- 
uga County, N. Y., September 25, 1839. He was 
reared upon a farm, and received a good common- 
school education, completing his studies at the 
neighboring academj-. His father, Lockwood Run- 
dell, was a native of New England, having been born 
in Connecticut. He made a home for himself and 
his family in Cayuga County, N. Y., in which part 
of the Empiie State he afterward died. The mother, 
Anna (Beard) Rundell, died in her birthplace, 
Cayuga County; she was of New England ances- 
try, her father, Aaron Beard, a worthy citizen, liav- 
ing been born in Connecticut. The parents of 



Leroy Rundell were blessed by the birth of six 
children, of whom our subject was the fifth in or- 
der of birth. He was reared in the home of his 
earlj' youth, enjoyed the advantages of study in 
the public schools, and, having attained to man- 
hood, was on February 14, 1866, united in mar- 
riage with Miss Alice Avery, also a native-born 
resident of Cayuga County. 

Mrs. Rundell was a daughter of Ashbel Avery, 
who was born in Cayuga County, and who came late 
in life to Johnson County, where be passed away 
full of years of honored usefulness. The mother, 
Mrs. Emmeliue (Miner) Avery, also a native of 
Cayuga Count}', died at the home of her daughter, 
Mrs. Rundell, on the 16th of February, 1893, aged 
eighty-four years. Not very long after his mar- 
riage, our subject and his wife came to Joiinson 
County, arriving in the winter of 1867, and spent 
a few months in Iowa City. They then removed 
to a rented farm in East Lucas Townsliip, and at 
the expiration of twelve months settled in Scott 
Township, locating upon the farm where they now 
reside. Since 1870, Mr. Rundell has devoted him- 
self to agricultural duties, bringing his one hun- 
dred and sixtj' acres of valuable land up to a high 
state of cultivation, and adding from time to time 
substantial improvements, a commodious and at- 
tractive dwelling and excellent barns and out- 
buildings. Few of the farmers in the State as well 
understand the management, care and feeding of 
slock as our subject, who has prosperously com- 
bined the tilling of the soil with this difficult de- 
partment of agriculture. 

Mr. Rundell leads a busy life, and has but little 
time for leisure, he however takes an interest in 
local and national issues, and has held various offi- 
cial positions with honor and ability, serving one 
term as Townsliip Assessor. Our subject has also 
been for a number of jears the valued and effi- 
cient President of the Johnson County Agricul- 
tural Society, and in his official capacitj' and as a 
private individual has materially aided in estab- 
lishing and promoting the best interests of the as- 
sociation. Mr. Rundell is widely known as a citi- 
zen of sterling integrily of character, extremely 
liberal in his religious convictions. Fraternally he 
a member of the Ancient Free it Accepted Masons. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



221 



For nearly a quarter of a century intimately iden- 
tified with the growth and progress of Scott Town- 
ship and Johnson County, our subject has been 
one of the important factors in the development 
of social business enterprise, and is numbered 
among the i)ublic-spiritcd and progressive citizens 
of the State. The pleasant home has been blessed 
by the birth of one child, a daughter, Mabel A., 
who, together with Mr. and Mrs. Rundeli, enjoys 
the esteem and confidence of a large circle of 
friends. 



'^^- 



JONATIIAN CHILD, an old and highly re- 
spected citizen of Grinnell, Iowa, is the 
subject of the present sketch. Not often 
does the biographer find a more distinct or 
interesting famil}' record than that owned by our 
subject, and before calling attention to his career, 
it may be pleasant and profitable to recount the 
names of those who assisted very materially in the 
settlement and civilization of one of the oldest 
parts of our United Slates. The father of Jona- 
than Child was named Dudley Child, and was born 
in Thompson, Windham County, Conn., May 22, 
1776. He was reared on a farm, and when but a 
young man removed to Bath, N. II., through the 
wilderness, enduring all the privations incident to 
tlie time and place. He became one of the pioneer 
organizers of the Congregational Church, being a 
Deacon in the same for thirt3'-flvc j^ears, under the 
same pastor. The death of this worthy man took 
place May 23, 1846, the day following bis seven- 
tielii birthday. 

Duncan Child was the son of Richard and Aba- 
gail (Green) Child, Richard having been born in 
Connecticut in the year 1733, and in tiiat State 
he engaged in fanning until his death at a com- 
])aratively early age. He was a son of Capt. 
Penuel and Dorothy (Dwight) Child. Penuel was 
born in Roxbury, Mass., in 1699, and in that town 
his death occurred. His father had been Capt. 
Benjamin and bis mother Grace (Morris) Child, 



the former born in Roxbury, where he was a promi- 
nent attorney, and his father, Benjamin, had been 
an emigrant from Great Britain in 1630. This last- 
named Benjamin was one of thirty who established 
the first church in Roxbur}^ and was a personal 
friend of Gov. John Winthrop, of Massachusetts. 
The ancestral line might be traced on back to the 
nobility, but enough has been given to show of 
what stock our subject may be justly proud. 

The mother of our subject was in her girlhood 
Mary Weeks, a native of Bath, N. H., and a 
daughter of David Weeks, who had been born in 
Connecticut, but became an early settler of Bath, 
and later entered the army in the War of 1812. 
Mary (Weeks) Child died in Bath, having been the 
mother of twelve children, eight of whom grew to 
maturity. Our subject was the second youngest 
in the family of children, and was born in Bath, N. 
H., February 10, 1821. He was reared on the farm, 
and attended the common schools, remaining at 
home until he had reached his twenty-fourth year, 
when he became possessed of a farm of one hun- 
dred acres near Bath, where he engaged in general 
farming and stock-raising. The lattei business 
was profitable, as he shipped grain, furs and other 
articles to both Boston and New York. 

In 1868 our subject came to Grinnell, Iowa, 
where he bought a farm of eighty acres. In 1869 
he started. in the livery business, and had one of 
the finest in the State, his son, Aldace W., at a later 
date becoming a partner in the business. To ac- 
commodate the growing demands of trade, the firm 
erected a brick stable, 66x7.5 feet, on Fourth Ave- 
nue, where they had the finest of livery equipages 
and some very fine horses, having by far the larg- 
est stable of any one in the city; but in 1884 our 
subject sold the stock, and in 1889 he rented the 
livery business, still owning the barn. 

Mr. Child was married in Bath, N. IL, on 
the 4th of March, 1846, to Miss Martha H. Walker, 
also a native of Bath, N. H., a daughter of 
Leonard Walker, a native of Woodstock, Conn., 
and a granddaughter of Leonard Walker, who 
was a great mechanic in Vermont; he had removed 
there from Connecticut, where his family were 
early settlers, and could trace their lineage directly 
back to the Puritans, His wife was a Miss Child, 



222 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



who could trace her line to the Roxbury Childs, 
through her father, Elislia Child. Mr. and Mrs. 
Walker had a family of nine children, three of 
whom are living, Mrs. Child being the eldest of 
them all, and she grew up in New Hampshire. 
Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. 
Child, as follows: Chloe W., a graduate of a school 
in Hartford, Conn., now Mrs. Waring, of this city; 
Aldace W., of this place; Arthur L., the leading 
photographer of Grinnell; and Hattie M., now 
Mrs. Hammond, of this city. Mrs. Child is a val- 
ued member of the Congregational Church. In 
politics, Mr. Child upholds the principles of the 
Republican party. 






(X\ I«;ILL1AM H. BAILEY is a member of the 
\rj/l firm of Bailey & Murphy, which is one of 
^^' the leading and most influential at the 
Bar of Iowa City, and gives material strength to 
the fraternity. They have a fine clientage, as 
their judgment is regarded as conscientious and 
safe and they at all times labor in the cause of 
justice and right. Mr. Bailey is careful in the 
preparation of his cases, has the ability to present 
them in a concise and convincing manner, is a 
careful and accurate adviser, and is at all times 
true to his convictions. He is a native of Hardin 
Township, Johnson County, Iowa, bis birth occur- 
ring on the 19th- of April, 1859, his immediate 
progenitors being AVilliam and Margaret (Mcll- 
waine) Bailey, the former of whom was born in 
the North of Ireland. The mother was born in Glas- 
gow, Scotland, and when a small child was taken 
to the North of Ireland, where she was reared. His 
father was a silk weaver by trade, who emigrated 
to the United States in the '40s, and landed at 
New York City, where he remained until 1858, 
■when he took up his residence on a farm in Jolin- 
son County, Iowa, three miles south of Oxford. 
Here he continued to make his home until 1871, 
when he was left a widower, after which he re- 
moved to southwestern Kansas. After a short resi- 



dence in that State he returned to Iowa, becoming 
the owner of a farm in York Township, Iowa 
County, Iowa, but sold this place in 1874 to re- 
turn to his old home in Ireland, where he married 
again and still resides. He was considered one of 
the substantial citizens of the county during his 
residence here. 

William H. Bailey was the youngest of his par- 
ents' five children and followed the fortunes of 
the famil}' until 1877, at which time he entered 
AVilliams' Commercial College, which he attended 
three winters, having prior to that time received the 
rudiments of an education in the district schools. 
He then engaged in the occupation of teaching, 
by which method he secured means with which to 
prosecute his legal studies in the State University 
of Iowa, at Iowa City, and was sufficiently atten- 
tive to his studies to admit of his graduating in 
June, 1881. Immediatel}' thereafter he formed a 
partnership for the practice of his calling with a 
Mr. Slater, and for three years the firm was known 
as Slater it Baile}', after which he became asso- 
ciated with A. E. Maine, the firm being known 
as Baile3- i Maine until 1886. From that time 
up to 1890 he remained in the practice alone, 
but from 1890 to 1893 was a partner of G. A. 
Ewing, and since January, 1893, has been a 
partner of W. F. Murphy. As a lawyer Mr. Bailey 
combines ability aud a thorough training in legal 
principles with industry and close application to 
the interests of his clients, and enjoys general es- 
teem as a well-informed gentleman, a valued 
counselor and a useful and progressive citizen. 

In the fall of 1881 he made Miss Mary K. Jel- 
ley his wife, she being a native of Muscatine 
County, Iowa, and a daughter of John A. Jelle3', 
who is the well-known and talented city editor of 
the Muscatine Journal. Mr. Bailey has two inter- 
esting and promising little sons: John W. and Le- 
roy Hugh. Mr. Bailey has a very comfortable 
and home-like resideuee at No. 224 South Linn 
Street, which property he has gained by his prac- 
tice. An uncompromising Republican in politics, 
he at all times supports that party, of the superior- 
ity of which he is firmly convinced, and at all 
times takes a commendable interest in local aud 
national politics. He makes it a point to keep 




f ^^' 



y"""^ 




PORTEAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



225 



well posted on the current issues of the day, and 
converses intelligently and interestingly on all 
topics of general importance or note. In disposi- 
tion he is generous and amiable and possesses the 
jovial and light-hearted temperament character- 
istic of the Irish people, of which blood he is 
proud, although in every sense of the term he is 
strictly an American, and as such is proud of the 
land that a:ave him birth. 



-^^- 



'jfOSEPH J. CALDWELL, Jr., a prominent 
I citizen and prosperous general agriculturist 
^^ and stock-raiser of section 30, Cedar Town- 
^^^ ship, Johnson Count}% Iowa, owns a mag- 
nificent homestead of three hundred and thirty 
acres, finely cultivated and improved, with commo- 
dious and substantial barns and outbuildings and 
a modern and handsome family residence situated 
upon a beautiful knoll commanding a view of a 
most attractive landscape stretching far away, and 
pleasant for the eye to rest upon. An intelligent, 
energetic and efliciont man, our subject has long 
been known throughout Johnson County as a 
progressive and public-spirited citizen, ever ready 
to assist in local enterprise and improvements, and 
especially active in securing railroad connection 
between Cedar Township and other important 
points, donating liberally for this purpose. 

Mr. Caldwell was born in Fountain County, 
Ind., June 20, 1826, and is of Scotch ancestry, his 
paternal great-grandfather having emigrated from 
Scotland in the early part of the last century. 
Settling in the South, he there founded a family, of 
whom four manly sons bravely fought in the Rev- 
olutionary War and gave their devoted efforts in 
behalf of the freedom of the Colonists. 

The paternal grandfather of our subject was the 
youngest of the i)atriotic brothers and was but fif- 
teen years of age when he enlisted. After the war 
ended he continued for some time to make his 
home in Maryland, and was there married, but 
later with his wife and family journeyed to Butler 



County, Ohio, making his home in the Buckeye 
State when his son, Joseph J., the father of our 
subject, was about two years old. Grandfather 
Caldwell was a carpenter by trade and found a 
knowledge of this craft most useful in his pioneer 
life. He was in every sense of the word a repre- 
sentative frontiersman — courageous, energetic and 
enterprising — and was one of the first settlers of 
Butler Count}', he with nine other men being among 
the prospectors, remaining for a time upon the 
present location of Cincinnati. The Indians were 
then very trouble.some at times and the pioneers 
needed stout hearts and a ready hand to protect 
themselves against the savage men and wild 
beasts who roamed up and down the frontier in 
search of that which they might destroy. 

For a time Grandfather Caldwell engaged in 
agricultural pursuits in Butler County, and then 
removed to Fountain County, Ind., where he died 
at a good old age. The father of our subject was 
reared to the life of a farmer and remained in In- 
diana the most of his days, but came to Iowa in 
1852, and bought land in Cedar Township, John- 
son County, where he passed away three years 
later, aged sixty-two. His wife, Nancy (Rey- 
nolds) Caldwell, was a native of Kentucky, to 
which State her ancestors had removed from Vir- 
ginia in an early day. She was a woman of 
native ability and broad intelligence and passed 
away deeply mourned in 1855, but a brief time 
prior to the demise of her husband. She was the 
mother of seven children, of whom Joseph J., Jr., 
was the sixth in order of birth. Three of the 
family yet survive. 

Our suliject enjoyed very limited educational 
advantages, and attended the little subscription 
school but a very brief time. He could, however, 
correctly repeat the multiplication table at five 
years of age, and when six years old began to work 
in the field and since has labored on an average 
sixteen hours per day. An elder brother, who had 
received a fair education, taught him at home and 
assisted him to the knowledge he so ardently de- 
sired. 

Mr. Caldwell grew up to self-reliant and self-re- 
specting manhood in his birthplace and came with 
the family to Iowa in 1852. Twelve years later, 



226 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



in 1864, he was united in marriage with Miss Mary 
J. Douglas, of Ohio, who had arrived in Iowa with 
her parents in the spring of 1863. Immediately 
succeeding the death of his father and motlier, our 
subject took charge of the homestead and has re- 
mained in the neighboring vicinity ever since. 
His father gave him eighty acres of land, to which 
he prosperously added until he has reached his 
present three hundred and thirty acreage. Mrs. 
Caldwell, a most estimable lady, had no children, 
but, a devoted wife, sincere friend and kind neigh- 
bor, was mourned by a large circle of acquaint- 
ances when she passed to her rest in 1892. Pos- 
sessed of financial ability, broad practical expe- 
rience and excellent judgment, Mr. Caldwell has 
acquired a competence, which he liberally shares 
with others less fortunate than himself, and, a man 
of sympathetic nature, is foremost in the promo- 
tion of good works. A long-time member of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church, he h.as materially 
aided in the extension of its religious influence, 
and in all things pertaining to the common wel- 
fare of the community has ever been found on 
the side of right and justice. He was a prominent 
factor in the building of the Burlington, Cedar 
Rapids & Northern Railway through the county, 
and has always been especially generous in matters 
of mutual good. In political affiliation our subject 
is a Republican, but never aspiring to office, does 
his duty intelligently at the polls, and is in heart 
and soul, as were his ancestors before him, a true 
and loyal American citizen, esteemed and honored 
by a host of friends. 



v 



<^l j^ILLIAM V. ORR, for many years one of 
the most enterprising and successful agri- 
culturists of Johnson County, Iowa, own- 
ing a valuable and highly improved farm of three 
hundred and thirty acres, has now retired from 
active farming duties, but still resides upon the 
old homestead, pleasantly located on section 22, 



Scott Townsliip. Our subject was born in Rich- 
land County, Ky., November 15, 1813, and was 
but three or four years of age when his father re- 
moved to Fayette Countv, Ohio, where he grew 
up to manhood, and, reared upon a farm, enjo3'ed 
only the occasional advantages of instruction 
offered by the district schools of the neighborhood. 
In the winter of 1835-36, Mr. Orr went to In- 
diana, and locating in Elkiiart County, made his 
permanent home there for eighteen years. During 
this period of time our subject engaged variously- 
in blacksmithing, wagon manufacturing and car- 
pentering, having previously learned the black- 
smith's trade from an ap))renticeship with his 
brother in Fayette County, Ohio. 

In 1852 Mr. Orr removed to Somerset County, 
Pa., and successfully engaged in the mercantile 
business until the fall of 1855, and in April, 1856. 
located in Johnson County. Arriving in Iowa a 
courageous, earnest and resolute man, he entered 
with energy into the pursuit of agriculture, pros- 
pering from year to year and winning in his new 
home the high regard of many sincere friends. In 
1880, our subject resigned most of his daily cares 
into the hands of others, and has since allowed 
himself more rest and recreation than his busy 
years had ever afforded. The finely improved 
farm, with its commodious residence and substan- 
tial outbuildings and barns, is one of the best in 
Johnson County, and is well known to the many 
passers-by. Mr. Orr has been twice married, first 
in Indiana, where he wedded Miss Paulina Boyd, 
who became the mother of one child, who died in 
infancj', the mother also passing away, after a brief 
married life, in Elkhart County. 

After some length of time, Mr. Orr was again 
married, to an Indiana lady, Mrs. Matilda (I'oor- 
baugh) Epikan, a most worthy and highly respected 
Christian worker, well known throughout the State. 
Mr. and Mrs. Orr were blessed by the birth of six 
sons and daughters, five of whom are j'et living: Cy- 
rus, Mary E., William IL, Matilda R. and Emma E. 
The sons and daughters who once clustered about 
the family hearth have one after the other gone 
out into homes of their own. Cyrus married Mar- 
garet A. Applegate; Mary E. is the wife of Oscar 
Hemsworth; William became the husband of Edith 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



227 



Westcott; Matilda is the wife of Charles F. Frank- 
lin; and Emma E. is married to John C. Barnett. 
The loving mother and faitliful wife, Mrs. Matilda 
Orr, died October 6, 1879, leaving to the tender 
care of her bereaved husband these sons and 
daughters, who tlioroughl^' appreciate tlie love 
and kindness wliicli made their childhood bright. 
Mrs. Orr was an active worker in the church, and 
.nn earnest Christian woman. Her first husband 
was a German Reformed minister, and through her 
labors as a pastor's wife she had gained extended 
knowledge of the duties demanded of the mission- 
ary preachers of the early daj's. 

Mr. Orr has never been an active politician in 
the common acceptation of the term, but he has 
alwaj's been deeply interested in national affairs, 
and while in Benton, Ind., most efficiently dis- 
charged the duties of Postmaster one term. In 
all the varied work of life, and in his relations of 
husband, father, neighbor and friend, our subject 
has ever exhiliited the same sterling traits of char- 
acter which have distinguished him from his ear- 
liest youth, and through his own persistent efforts 
alone has unaided won his upward way, enj03ing 
the confidence and high regard of all who have 
known him in social or public life. 



AMUEL SHARPLESS is a retired .igricul- 
5^^ turist, money leaner and dealer in reaj 
estate, who, since shortly after the close of 
the war, has made his home in Iowa CitJ^ 
For over a quarter of a century he has been prom- 
inent in forwarding and promoting many meas- 
ures tending toward the best good and develop- 
ment of the city, and is numbered among her hon- 
ored old settlers. IIis birth occurred in Belmont 
County, Ohio, near Bridgeport, on November 1, 
1822. his parents being George and Anna (Sack- 
ett) Siiarpless. The former was a native of 
Delaware Countj', Pa., born in the town of 
Chester, and in 1806 removed to Ohio. He was 
the son of Thomas, also a native of Pennsylvania, 



who died in 1797. The latter was descended from 
one .John Sharpless, who emigrated from Cheshire, 
England, in 1682 in the colony with William 
Penn. Our subject's mother was a native of Fay- 
ette County, Pa., born November 4, 1790, and 
was a daughter of Dr. Samuel Saekett, an eminent 
physician and surgeon of the Keystone State. The 
family was originally from Massachusetts, where 
they were old and respected members of society, 
their ancestors having emigrated from England at 
an early day, in 1652, to Massachusetts. 

Mr. Sharpless, of whom this sketch is a brief rec- 
ord, passed his boyhood on a farm. The principal 
business of his father w.as that of a merchant miller, 
and during the War of 1812 he carried on a woolen 
factory. Our subject's principal business was also 
milling, his father having died when he was a mere 
lad. He attended Madison College for some three 
years on completing his common-school education, 
and after finishing his studies commenced farming 
in Belmont County, Ohio, not far from Wheeling 
and near Martin's Ferrj'. There for upward of 
twenty years he labored industriously to improve 
and cultivate a farm, which yielded to him abun- 
dant crops as a golden reward for the attention he 
bestowed upon it. 

In the spring of 1866, Mr. Sharpless came to 
Iowa City, where he has since resided. He has for- 
warded many enterprises in this county and vicin- 
ity and has contributed liberally of his means to 
various purposes, the object of which was the bet- 
terment of his fellow-citizens. He was interested 
in the formation of the Johnson Count}- Savings 
Bank, and is one of its Directors. Of late years he 
has dealt extensively in real estate and loans. He 
owns a farm, which is under good cultivation and 
is one of the best in Johnson County. 

In the year 1857 was celebrated the wedding of 
Mr. Sharpless and Miss Priscilla Crain. a native of 
Fayette County, Pa., and daughter of Andrew L. 
and Sarah (Geddis) Crain. Mrs. Sharpless is a 
well-educated and thoroughly amiable lady, one 
who has many friends in this city, as has also her 
husband. They are both members of tiie Presby- 
terian Church, in which our subject has served as 
Elder for twenty 3ears. Their pleasant home is at 
No. 412 Clinton Street, and there their friends are 



228 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



at all times welcome and made to feel thoroughly 
at home by the united efforts of host and hostess. 
In politics he was originally a Whig, and on the or- 
ganization of tlie Republican party became iden- 
tified with its principles. During the war he was 
a stanch Union man. In regard to the character 
of Mr. Sharpless, he is a man of the strictest in- 
tegrity, and it is said of him by those who know 
him best, that his word is as good as his bond. 



^^i\ICHOLAS OAKES, brick and tile manu- 
I jjj facturer. The business in which the sub- 
Ill,;^ ject of this sketch is now engaged has be- 
come one of considerable proportions in Johnson 
County, Iowa, and what he is doing and has al- 
ready done in his line has been the means of 
greatly benefiting the county. lie is an enter- 
prising, energetic and representative citizen, and 
has always been found ready to aid any undertak- 
ing tending to redound to the general good of the 
cit3' and county. He was born in Baden, Ger- 
many, on the 29th of September, 1828, and had in- 
culcated in him many of the worthy principles 
and qualities for which that people have always 
been known, honesty, energy and enterprise being 
not among the least. Ilis parents were Valentine 
and Elizabeth (Miller) Oakes, and this worthy 
couple in 1830 decided to seek a home beyond the 
Atlantic. Reaching the shores of the United States 
after a voyage of seven weeks in a sailing-ves- 
sel, they landed at Philadelphia, Pa. From that 
city they removed to Stark County, Ohio, and lo- 
cated on a good-sized farm east of the cit}' of Can- 
ton, and as it was quite heavily wooded began the 
arduous labor of clearing, grubbing and splitting 
rails, after which the cultivation of his land oc- 
cupied his time and attention, and resulted in as 
fine a farm as could be found in that section of 
tlie country. The father's death occurred in 1841 
and the mother's ten years later, both being wortliy 
members of the Catholic Church. 

Nicholas Oakes was the younger son of a family 



of seven children that was given to his parents, 
consisting of four sons and tiiree daughters, of 
which family only two members are now living. 
The boyhood days of Nicholas, from the time he 
was old enough until the death of his father and 
mother, were devoted to learning the usual duties 
of farm life, but during this time he attended the 
common schools of his district during the winter 
months and obtained a very practical knowledge 
of the common branches. He was better fitted than 
the average youth, both by reason of his early 
daj'S of labor and his education, to make his own 
way in the world, which he began doing at the 
age of nineteen years. He secured employment in 
the brick manufactor}' belonging to George AVill- 
iams & Bros., where he was initiated into the 
mysteries of the art, and laid the foundation of a 
practical knowledge of his present calling. He re- 
mained in the employ of that gentleman for five 
years, after which he went to Massillon, Ohio, where 
he was manager of a brickyard for two years, but 
unfortunately lost part of his wages, owing to the 
straitened condition of his employer's financial 
affairs. 

In 185.5 our subject came to Iowa, soon after 
which he engaged in the manufacture of brick on 
his own account, and after a time added tile-mak- 
ing to his former occupation and now annually 
turns out large quantities of each, the quality of 
his product being of the very best and highly sat- 
isfactory to contractors, builders and owners. He 
makes a specialty of pressed brick and as he lias a 
superior quality of clay he turns out an exception- 
ally creditable article. His annual output is about 
eight hundred thousand brick and five hundred 
thous.and tiles of various sizes, his greatest shii)- 
ments being of the latter product. His establishment 
gives employment to from eight to twelve men 
throughout the year, all of whom thoroughly un- 
derstand the work to which they are assigned. 

March 23, 1853, our subject was united in mar- 
riage with Miss Mary Shaffer, who was born in 
Stark County. Ohio, her paternal grandfather hav- 
ing come from Holland. Her father was David 
Shaffer. To Mr. and Mrs. Oakes a family of six 
children has been born, five sons and one daugh- 
ter: Hiram D., who is a Ijrick manufacturer of 



i 



^ s 



Ml 






j\L ys/yLyi^^-tJ-gh^[a^yi/< 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



231 



Nebraska; Ada E., wife of Lem Brubaker, of Ot- 
tumwa, Iowa; Frank W., who is in the brick busi- 
ness with his father; Walter, wlio is a resident of 
Schuyler, Neb.; and John P. and Perry C, who are 
at home, attending the district schools. Mr. Oakes 
is a Republican politicall.r, and he and his wife are 
members of the Presbyterian Church. lie has a 
substantial and commodious brick residence in the 
cit3' and is well-to-do financially. 



"if] NORWOOD CLARK, a retired mercliant 
I and pioneer settler of Iowa City, has since 
^5:5, I 1853 been numbered among; tiie leading 
^^^J and enterprising citizens of Johnson County, 
and, a man of integrity, has held with faithful 
fidelity to the interests of the general public 
many important official positions of trust. In 
1855 he was elected City Marshal, and occupied 
successively the offices of City Assessor and City 
Treasurer, and was Township Clerk and Trustee 
for a number of terms. Our subject was born in 
Fhiladeipliia July 30, 1814. His father, Joseph 
Clark, was a native of Maryland and a shoemaker 
by trade. The Clarks are of English descent, 
the remote ancestors having emigrated from the 
Queeu's dominions to the South in an early day. 
The mother of our subject was Elizabeth (Lyon) 
Clark, who, like her husband, was born in Mary- 
land. The parents of our subject removed in 1822 
from Baltimore to Wheeling, W. Va., where they 
resided for some years, and then located in Steu- 
benville, Ohio, but finally returned to Baltimore 
Md., their early home. Later in life they again re- 
moved to Ohio, and in that State the father died 
in 1860, aged seventy-four. The mother reached 
her ninety-second year, and passed away in 187(5. 
Our subject gained his education in the public 
schools and learned the trade of a slioemaker in 
Baltimore, following that occupation for several 
years. In 1853, making his home witii his wife 
and family in the West, he located in Iowa Citj' 
and operated a general store, carrying various 



lines of goods, and, meeting with success, profit- 
ably continued in mercantile employment for 
some time, and while successfully handling goods 
made an extended and pleasant acquaintance 
throughout Johnson County. In 1836 J. Nor- 
wood Clark and Miss Jane Sturtevant were 
united in marriage. Mrs. Clark, who is a native 
of Halifax, Mass., was about sixteen years old 
when she went to Baltimore. She is a most esti- 
mable lady, of genial and kindly presence. The 
pleasant home of our subject and his excellent 
wife is located at No. 319 Linn Street. Six chil- 
dren have blessed the parents with their bright 
presence, but onl3^ one dsiughter now survives: 
Amanda, who was married to S. F. Webb, but is 
now a widow. Mr. Clark has one grandchild and 
one great-grandchild. 

Politically, our subject is a strong Democrat, 
and has ever been a firm supporter of the "party 
of the people." In his position of City Marshal 
he discharged his duties so ably and intelli- 
gently that he was returned bj' his constituents 
to other public work. He was the well-known 
City Assessor for many years, and for one year 
occupied the responsible position of City Treas- 
urer. Elected to the office of Township Clerk, he 
was three times re-elected to the position, and as 
Township Trustee for many years efficiently for- 
warded the best interests of his localitj', giving 
earnest consideration to all matters of public wel- 
fare, and liberally assisting in the promotion of 
local enterprise and improvements. To the per- 
sonal elTorts of Mr. Clark and his co-laborers the 
early prosperity of Iowa City is due, and they 
worthily receive the honor to which the public 
work of pioneer days so justly entitles them. 

Fraternally, our subject is a valued member of 
the Ancient Free & Accepted Masons, belong- 
ing to the Chapter and Commandery. He is 
also a prominent Odd Fellow, being a member of 
Eureka Lodge, at Iowa Citj% Treasurer of llie 
Grand Encampment, Past Grand Master of the 
State of Iowa, and Past Grand Patriarch of the 
Grand Encampment of Odd Fellows. Since 1874 
Mr. Clark has been a member of the Knights of 
Pythias, and, faithful to the duties entailed by 
his fraternal relations, has a host of earnest friends 



232 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



among these societies. Tlie life of usefulness 
which our honored subject has led has brought a 
just reward, for when young he met all difficulties 
with a heroic front, and, courageously- overcom- 
ing obstacles, won assured success. 



ii'i-4"!'*! 



f'****F= 



ENZEL HUMER, our subject, is a pio- 
neer settler of Johnson County, residing 
on section 32, Union Township, and is 
held in high esteem by a wide circle of acquaint- 
ances for his many sterling qualities. He was 
born in Bavaria, Germany, April 5, 1812, and set- 
tled in Iowa in November, 1837, first locating on 
a farm ten miles north of Burlington; he remained 
there for two j^ears and then, in September, 1839, 
settled on Old Man's Creek, in Union Township. 
He is the son of Andrew Humer, a native of Ba- 
varia, who died at the age of sixt^'-one. His mother, 
a native of the same place, died at the age of sixty- 
five. They were the parents of four children, three 
sons and one daughter, Wenzel l)eing the only one 
living. 

Our subject was married in his native jjlace Au- 
gust 25, 1835, to Mary A. Deckelman, daughter of 
John and Gunigunde (Ditch) Deckelman, who 
died in Iowa, having come to this State in 1840. 
Mrs. Humer was born in Germany- November 23, 
1815, and was reared and went to school in that 
country. She and her husband were the parents of 
thirteen children, three of whom died in infancy; 
the remaining ten grew to maturity, and nine mar- 
ried. Mary Ann, a twin, was the wife of Morris 
Cavender, and died at the age of forty-six; Hen- 
rietta, twin sister of Mary Ann, is the wife of 
.James Thompson ; Anna is the wife of Asa Bald- 
win; Lizzie is tlie wife of Perry Barnes; Louisa 
is deceased; and the others are .lolin, George, 
Alice and Edwin. 

Our subject took up the land where lie lives 
from the Government in 1810, and having no 
money he had to become his own carpenter and 
cabinet-maker, cutting the logs and making a log 



cabin, 12x14. They had stools and benches as sub- 
stitutes for chairs, and a bedstead made of rails. 
The land was not surve3-ed when he settled there. 
His nearest neighbor westward was ten miles awa}', 
and Iowa City was a very small village, without a 
farm liouse in the tovvnship. He began to erect 
his dwelling in 1852 and completed it the follow- 
ing year, burning the brick and lime upon his own 
place and doing most of the work himself. 

Mr. Humer began with eight3' acres and now 
has three hundred, but had at one time six hundred 
acres, liaving disposed of a portion to his son. He 
has been very successful as a farmer. Most of his 
land is under cultivation and fenced in, lie hauling 
all of his pine lumber from Muscatine, although 
most of his trading was done at Burlington, Mus- 
catine coming in for a small share. Mr. Humer 
has taken an active interest in the development of 
the township and has always favored whatever has 
been for the good of the community. In politics 
he is a Republican, always taking an active inter- 
est in the success of that party. The members of 
the family at home belong to the Methodist Episco- 
pal Church close by his home, which is called the 
"Humer" for him, he in his younger days hav- 
ing been most active in its work. He is now a 
Trustee, and was at one time a Steward and Class- 
leader, and was one of the most prominent and 
liberal in the building of the church. Mr. Hu- 
mer is a fine old gentleman, much beloved by all 
who know him, so kind and gentle is his character. 



s^+^i 



"ff'OHN H. WHETSTONE, the energetic and 
efficient Postmaster of Iowa City, has for 
^^ \ more than a score of years been numbered 
l}^// among the leading citizens and successful 
business men of Johnson County, Iowa, and, a con- 
stant resident of his present locality, he has been 
identified with the rapid growth and progress of 
this part of the State, liberally aiding public en- 
terprise and improvement. Our subject was born 
in Bedford County, Pa., September 18, 1844, 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



233 



and is the son of John and Catherine (Home) 
Whetstone, both natives of the Quaker State. The 
father devoted his life to farming and liad been 
early trained to agricultural pursuits by the 
paternal grandfather of our subject, Abraliam 
Whetstone, who was of immediate German ances- 
try. Both the parents of our subject are deceased, 
the mother having died about 1872, and the father 
in Marcli, 1893, at the advanced age of eighty- 
five years. 

Our subject passed the daj's of his boyhood in 
his birthplace and attended the common schools 
of his home neighborhood, later studying in the 
County Normal School, and finally receiving one 
year of instruction in Mt. Pleasant College, in West- 
moreland County, Pa., where he completed his 
studies. He taught school for a time, and then 
began the study of medicine under Dr. W. .J. 
Mullen, of Bedford County, Pa. In the spring 
of 1870, our subject came to Iowa Cit}' and en- 
tered the drug store of William A. Morrison, with 
whom he remained five 3'ears. At the expiration 
of this time he engaged in the drug business upon 
his own account, opening an establishment on 
Washington Street one door from Isaac Furbish's. 
He there handled drugs profitably for the succeed- 
ing five years, then, removing to his present fine 
location at the corner of Clinton and Washington 
Streets, enlarged the various departments and 
added druggists' sundries and surgical instru- 
ments. He has a trade second to none in the 
city, and now rapidly increasing its limits, he en- 
joys a prosperous custom extending into the sur- 
rounding countrj'. In the year 181)2 Mr. George 
Foltz, an enterprising business man, was admitted 
into partnership, the firm name now being Whet- 
stone ife Foltz. Keeping pace with the times, and 
giving to all customers courteous attention and 
consideration, the firm has won its way up to as- 
sured success and is favorably known throughout 
Johnson County. 

In 1880, John H. Whetstone and Miss Mahaska, 
daughter of Hon. Le Grand Byington, of Iowa 
City, were united in marriage. Mrs. Whetstone is 
a most accomplished lady and occupies a high 
social position. Our svibject has been financiallv 
prospered, and owns a beautiful and commodious 



dwelling. No. 313 Iowa Avenue, where many of 
the leading and old-time residents are warml}- 
welcomed to the hospitalities of the pleasant home. 
Mr. and Mrs. Whetstone had born to them two chil- 
dren, a daughter and son. whose names are Edith 
and Robert R. Politically, our subject is an ardent 
Republican, and has ever taken a deep interest in 
local and national issues. Upon February 22, 1891, 
he received his appointment as Postmaster of Iowa 
City. Fraternally, he is a member of Iowa City 
Lodge No. 4, A. F. & A. M., and affiliates with 
Chapter No. 2, and is a member of Palestine Com- 
mandery No. 2, K. T. He is also a Knight of 
Pythias, and has within these orders many sincere 
and old-time friends. Mr. Whetstone as a pri- 
vate citizen, practical business man and public 
official, enjoys an enviable record as a straight- 
forward man of sterling integrity, energetic in- 
dustry and more than ordinary ability and enter- 
prise. Liberal spirited and progressive, he has 
aided in the promotion of public welfare, and in 
all the vital questions of the day may be found 
upon the side of right and justice. 



ENRY J. WIENEKE, Secretary of the John- 
)] son County Old Settlers' Association, and 
Manager of Fink's Bazaar and News Depot, 
under the St. James Hotel, which is situated 
but one door from the Postoffice, has made this city 
his home for many years past and is widely known. 
He was born in Monroe County, Ohio, August 30, 
1837, and is a son of Christian Wieneke, a native 
of Hanover, Germany, who emigrated to the 
United States in 1833, and several years later lo- 
cated in Iowa City, where he carried on a boot and 
shoe manufactory. He was an active business man 
until 184G, when he was called from this life, being 
then in his fifty-fourth yeai-. Our subject's mother 
bore the maiden name of Hannah Muller. She was 
also born in Hanover, Germany, and emigrated 
with her parents to the linited Slates in 1833. She 
was one of a family of five children, and b}' her 



234 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



marriage with Christian Wieneke became the 
mother of six children, of whom onl}- five are now 
living. 

The gentleman of whom we write passed his boy- 
hood days in Iowa City, to which place his parents 
came when he was a child of seven years. He at- 
tended the public schools up to the age of fifteen, 
when he began learaing the trade of cabinet-mak- 
ing with Charles Ga}-nion and Peter Roberts. On 
the completion of his time he worked for some 
years at his trade, and in the fall of 1861 enlisted 
in Company B, Fourteenth Iowa Infantry. He was 
soon after transferred to the Forty-first Infantry 
and later to the Seventh Cavalry, Lieut.-Col. Pattee 
commanding. His regiment was detailed to quell 
the Dakota Indian War on the frontier, and while 
there he participated in the battle of Kill Deer, in 
the Bad Land Mountains. Until the fall of 1864 
he was stationed continuous!}^ at points in the 
Northwest, and received an honorable discharge in 
the winter of that year. 

Returning from the war, Mr. Wieneke embarked 
in the book and stationer}' business in Iowa City, 
since which time he has kept faithfully to his post. 
He carries a fine stock of schoolbooks, stationerj-, 
tobacco and fancy goods, and is one of the popular 
and well-known business men of this city, where 
he has been activeh' engaged in trade for over 
thirty j'ears. 

In the fall of 1857, our subject was united in 
marriage with Miss Caroline Kimbel, of this city, a 
native of Pennsylvania and a daughter of Solomon 
and Leah Kimbel, who were early settlers of John- 
son County, coming here as early as 1839, and be- 
ing numbered among the worth}' pioneers. Eight 
children have come to bless the home of Mr. and 
Mrs. Wieneke: Caroline, Henry C, Rosa C; Wilhel- 
raina, who is a clerk in the Bazaar; Charles S., who 
is in the Postottice; George A., Laura A. and Robert 
.Stuart. 

In 188.5 our subject was elected .Secretary of the 
Old .Settlers' Association and is also a member of 
Iowa Cit}' Lodge No. 21, A. F. ik A. M., and of Kos- 
ciusko Lodge No. 4, 1. O. O. F. Both he and his 
famil}' are members of the I/Utheran Church in 
good standing and are much interested in the work 
of that denomination. Politically, our subject is 



a stanch Republican and has alwaj'S voted in the 
Second Ward, his residence being on .Jefferson 
Street, on the old homestead where he has lived 
since his youth. He has been prominentl}' identi- 
fied with the growth and prosperity of this com- 
munity and has been a witness of the great changes 
which have taken place since he fii-st landed in this 
county, nearly lift}- j-ears ago. 



C oi' -- f^^-rc^ 



"//l LFRED CHARLES PETERS. M. D., is a 
Professor in the .State Universitj- of Iowa, 
(4) from which institution he himself gradu- 
ated in the medical department as recently 
as 1887. He is an intelligent student and a keen ob- 
server, by these qualities having pl.aced himself in 
the ranks of the older members of the profession. 
He is considered one of the most able, brilliant 
and progressive members of the faculty, and also 
enjoys a good general practice outside of the col- 
lege. 

Dr. Peters was born in the city of Davenport. 
Iowa, August 13, 1861. being the eldest son of 
Hans and Susannah (Ploog) Peters, the former a 
native of Holstein, Germany, who emigrated to 
the United States when quite young and here was 
married to Miss Ploog, who was also of foreign 
birth and who emigrated to the United States with 
her parents. Their marriage was celebrated in 
Davenport, and in that city they made a perma- 
nent home. 

The boyhood and youth of our suliject were 
passed in the citj- of his birth, where he remained 
until twenty 3"ears of age, and there attended the 
public and private schools, which were taught 
mostly in the German tongue. AVhile quite 3'oung 
it was his ambition to become a physician, and in 
accordance with that desire he read medicine with 
Dr. William L. Allen, of Davenport, after which he 
entered tlie medical department of the Iowa .State 
Universit}-, being graduated therefrom in 1887. 
He at once began his practice in Iowa City, and 
was soon after appointed Demonstrator of Anat- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



235 



omy, which position he occupierl until 1890. Since 
that time lie has given liis attention more particu- 
larly' to the treatment of the ear, throat and nose. 
He also lectures in the dental department, and is one 
of the most pojjular professors among tiie students 
of the universit}". Though so young he has al- 
ready made his mark in the profession which he 
has adopted, and the future holds large promise of 
advancement for him. The rapid progress he has 
already made is a proof of the ambition and enter- 
prise of the voung man, who has succeeded far be- 
yond his own sanguine expectations. His success 
is, however, thoroughly deserved, for he is a deep 
and untiring student, devoting his best energies 
to his beloved work. He aims to keep thoroughly 
poste(i on all discoveries in the science of medi- 
cine, the treatment and prevention of disease, and 
to this end neglects no opportunity for improving 
his mind. 



^f? IKUT.PP:TER KETTLES. Johnson County, 
I (^ Iowa, is notably conspicuous for its mag- 
jJ ^Yi nificent farms that are faultless in the 
way of management and the order in which they 
are kept, and those in Washington Township are 
especially advantageously' located, the land being 
rolling and well watered, fertile and productive. 
No one is to be more complimented on the perfect 
method and order with which his agricultural 
affairs are conducted than Mr. Kettles, for every- 
thing about his place indicates that a man of thrift, 
intelligence and energy is at the helm. All the 
more is he to be congratulated when the fact is 
known that he came to America a poor boy from 
his native land, Germany, without money, in- 
fluence or friends, and, with little or no knowledge 
of the Saxon tongue, nobly surmounted the many 
difficulties that strewed his pathway and earnestly 
and patiently pursued the fickle goddess. Fortune, 
until affluent circumstances were leached. He 
was born at Holstein on the SOth of April, 1839, 
his father, Peter Kettles, being a native of the 



same place. The latter was a tiller of the soil and 
lived to the advanced age of four-score years. 
His first wife, the mother of his three children, 
Katherine, Barron and Peter, died when the lat- 
ter was but three weeks old, and he was then left 
to the tender mercies of a stepmother, whose un- 
kind treatment obliged him to leave home at the 
early age of fifteen 3ears. 

During this time, like the most of German 
youths, he succeeded in obtaining a good com- 
mon-school education, and upon leaving the shel- 
ter of the paternal roof he began clerking in a 
wholesale and retail mercantile store, whic^h occu- 
pation he continued to follow until he was eigh- 
teen years of age, also keeping the books for the 
firm for six months. At this time he decided 
that America offered a better field for a young 
man of enterprise and push than the land of his 
birth, and in 1858 he crossed the Atlantic on the 
sailing-vessel the " Great Western," which at that 
time was the second largest in the world. The 
voyage occupied twenty-eight days. I'lJOn land- 
ing he came almost immediatel}- to Iowa City, 
Iowa, as he had formed the acquaintance of a man 
on the voyage thither who expected to locate 
there, and until September, 18;39, he worked out 
by the month. He then went to Milwaukee, Wis., 
where he secured employment as a farm laboiir, an 
occupation that held his attention until the 
firing on Ft. Sumter, when he warmly and disin- 
terestedly espoused the cause of his adopted coun- 
try, and on the 18th of April, 1861, enlisted in 
the First Wisconsin Infantry, and was at once sent 
to Virginia and placed under Gen. Patterson, in 
the Army of the Potomac. After a sharp engage- 
ment with Johnson's army along the Potomac, he 
was mustered out in August and sent back to Mil- 
waukee. He was not content to remain thus in- 
active for any length of time, and on the 2.'!(1 
of the same month he again enlisted in the 
service, becoming a member of Company IM, Fourth 
Missouri Cavalry, and was sent through Missouri 
and Arkansas under Gen. .Stirling Price. 

At the battle of Pea Ridge Mr. Kettles was pro- 
moted from a private to the position of Sergeant, 
and in September, 1863, to that of Orderly Ser- 
geant, and in August, 1864, to First Lieutenant, in 



236 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



recognition of his meritorious conduct. From 
Arkansas be was sent into Kentucliy in tiie fall of 
1862, and was placed under Gen. A. J. Smith, 
with whom he was in a number of skirmishes, and 
was then sent to Tennessee and Mississippi, taking 
an active part in the battle of Black River. After 
being in a number of battles and skirmishes, in- 
cluding the battle of Tupelo, he went to New Or- 
leans and was in part of the Red River Cam- 
paign. In November, 1865, he was mustered out 
at New Orleans, having served his adopted coun- 
trj' in a very efficient and praiseworthy manner 
for four and a-half years. He then returned to 
Johnson County, Iowa, and on the 19th of March, 
1867, took for his wife Miss Rebecca Oldaker, who 
was born in Ohio May 8, 1838, and came to tliis 
county with her parents in 1849. (For the history 
of her ancestors see sketch of .James W. Oldaker.) 
To their union one child has been given, Fred. 

Soon after the celebration of his nuptials Mr. 
Kettles purchased his present farm of one hundred 
acres, all of which he has himself improved and 
which is one of the finest farms in the county. 
He has tilled it with the usual German thrift, but 
instead of devoting his attention to one branch of 
the calling to the neglect of another, he has kept 
up every branch and his farm is a model of neat- 
ness and presents a very attractive appearance. 
He not only raises the usual grain products, but 
also a considerable amount of stock, and the build- 
ings which adorn his farm are of a substantial and 
useful kind. Besides his home farm he has eight 
and a-half acres of timber land, which supplies 
him with all necessary fuel. 

Since the war Mr. Kettles has supported the 
measures of the Republican party, and for the past 
twelve 3'ears he has held the position of Township 
Clerk, his long term of service being sutticient 
guarantee of his abilit3' and jjopularity. He has 
also filled other offices in the township with marked 
ability. He favors advancement in every phase 
of life, and is a generous contributor both of his 
time and means to every measure that promises to 
be of benefit to his section. He is a great reader, 
and makes it a duty as well as a pleasure to keep 
thoroughly posted on the current issues of the day, 
and not without reason is he regarded as one 



of the very best posted men in the township, re- 
spected and admired by everyone. His life points 
its own moral and should teach a useful lesson to 
the rising generation, who have opportunities and 
advantages which were undreamed of in his youth. 



EV. A. J. SCIIULTE is pastor of St. Mary's 
Catholic Church at Iowa Cit}'. This is a 
magnificent structure, with a seating capac- 
jl^ ity of sixteen hundred, and its slender spire 
reaching heavenward is surmounted by a golden 
cross. The gentleman of whom we write, and who 
is a popular and conscientious pastor of his flock, 
was born in Ft. Madison, Iowa, September 17, 
1858. His parents, H. Joseph and Maria II. 
Schulte, are yet living, and both are natives and 
old pioneers of Missouri, having settled at Ft. 
Madison m 1856. 

The boyhood of Father Schulte was passed in 
Ft. Madison, where he attended the schools of the 
place until twelve years of age. He was then sent 
to St. Francis' Seminary, of Mil waukee,Wis., where 
he remained for four years, and at the end of that 
time, on account of failing health, went West for 
a time. He subsequently entered St. John 's Univer- 
sity at Collegeville, Stearns Count}-, Minn., where 
he became identified with the Benedictine Fathers. 
He finished his theological studies at Dubuque 
and in 1881 was directed by the Diocese of Du- 
buque to be transferred to the Davenport Diocese. 
Later he was ordained at Davenport by Bishop 
John McMuUen. 

On the 28th of December, 1881, our subject was 
appointed Assistant Priest atSt. Marg.aret's Cathe- 
dral at Davenport, and was soon afterward ap- 
pointed by Bishop McMullen to open St. Ambrose 
Preparatory Seminary in two rooms of the St. 
Margaret's School. He was a successful teacher in 
that institution until 1884, when new ground was 
purchased on Lucas Street and a fine building 
erected, which was named St. Ambrose College. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



237 



He was President of the college until September 
17, 1891, when, at the request of the Rt.-Rcv. H. 
Cosgrove, D. D., he was transferred to St. Mary's 
Ciiurch at Iowa City. 

During the last year tlie fine parochial residence 
was erected of brick and in a tlioroughl3' modern 
style. The corner stone of the new St. Mary's 
school building was laid on the .same street Sep- 
tember 11, 1892, and when completed it will be 
one of the finest buildings of the kind in the city. 
The Ladies' Altar Society comprises a member- 
ship of eighty-; the Young Ladies' Sodality has a 
membership of one hundred and twenty-four; the 
Gentlemen's Sodality, a membership of seventy- 
eight; the Children's League two hundred and 
fifty; League of the Sacred Heart, a membership of 
about SIX hundred and seventy; St. Joseph's Be- 
nevolent Societ3%a membership of ninety-sis. The 
branch here. No. 3, of the Iowa Catholic Mutual 
Protective Association has a membership of one 
hundred and forty-two. A library has recently 
been started in connection with the church. There 
are two hundred families who are regular attend- 
ants and members of St. Mar^f's Church, and to 
their welfare the Rev. Mr. Schulte is most devoted 
and is a conscientious exponent of the faith that 
is in him. 



ON. N. B. HOL15ROOK, President of the 
Marengo Savings Bank. A city can have 
no more beneficial institution than a well- 
regulated savings bank, for it exerts a 
great influence for good in the promotion of thrift 
and in inducing those of small means to lay aside a 
provision for the future, which serves for a time 
of need, and frequently lays the foundation of a 
substantial fortune. Among the institutions of 
that character organized and incorporated in Ma- 
rengo, the Marengo Savings Bank is deservedly 
distinguislied as one of the most successful and 
popular, the wisdom of its management and the 



safety of its investments commending it to the 
confidence of the people. Hon. N. B. Holbrook is 
its efficient President. He was born in Somerset 
County, Pa., April 25, 1836, his parents being 
Henry L. and Mary (Connelly) Holbrook, natives 
of Onondaga County, N. Y., and Somerset County, 
Pa., respectivel}', their marriage being celebrated 
in the mother's native State. Henry L. Holbrook 
was a surveyor, which calling he followed in Som- 
erset County, Pa. About 1865 he removed with his 
family to Monona County, Iowa, where he entered 
land and tilled the soil until he was gathered to 
his fathers in 1874, at about the age of eiglity-five 
years, his wife being also called from life in this 
State. The paternal grandfather. Dr. David Hol- 
brook, was a medical pr.actitioncr of the Emi)iie 
State, in which he was also born, and for some 
time he was a soldier in the War of 1812. The 
maternal grandfather, Bernard Connelly, was born 
in the Emerald Isle, was an early emigrant to 
America and became a successful stock-dealer of 
Pennsylvania. 

Hon. N. B. Holbrook was the fourth of seven 
children born to his parents, and his youth was 
spent in the State of his birtii, where he also ob- 
tained a practical education in the district scliools, 
and was fortunate enough to finish his education 
in Somerset Academ}', a well-conducted institu- 
tion, where his record was creditable. A great 
deal of his spare time was spent in his father's 
office as a draughtsman, and during this time lie 
obtained a practical knowledge of surveying. In 
1857 he came to Iowa County, Iowa, staging it 
from Iowa City to Marengo, at which time tlie 
latter place was a mere hamlet. Mr. Holbrook at 
once engaged in teaching school, and during liis 
vacations pursued the calling of a surveyor with 
so much abilit}' and efficiency that in 1858 he was 
chosen to the position of County Surveyor to fill 
a vacancy, and the following year was elected 
County Sheriff, filling the ottice for two terms. 
From 1864 to 1865 he edited tlic Iowa Valley 
Demoa-at, after which he turned his attention to 
the real-estate business, and for the last twenty- 
five years has dealt in improved lands. He owns 
several fine farms in this and Poweshiek Counties, 
besides valuable proiierty in Marengo, and is a 



238 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



shrewd, successful and competent real-estate dealer, 
who is recognized as possessing an intimate and 
accurate knowledge of present and prospective 
values of business and residence property in the 
city and rural districts. 

Ill 1880 the Marengo Savings Bank was organ- 
ized, with a capital stock of ^15,000, which has 
since Dcen raised to $50,000, and he has ever since 
been at the head of this most necessary institu- 
tion. He was also one of the organizers, and is 
now the Vice-President of the Marengo Electric 
Light and Power Company, has been President of 
the County Board of Supervisors for several terms, 
and while a member of tliis body was very active 
and took a leading part in the final settlement of 
the Chicago, Rock Island ct Pacific Railroad bonds, 
and by good management succeeded in saving the 
county a large sum of money. He has been Pres- 
ident of the School Board of Marengo for eight 
3'ears, during which time the schools were re- 
graded and additional buildings put up. In 1877 
he was honored by an election to the State Legis- 
lature by a large majority, and was re-elected in 
1884, 1886 and 1890, during which time he made 
an exceptionally fine record as an able, intelligent, 
active and incorruptible legislator, and one who 
was true to the best interests of his section and to 
the principles of his jiarty. He was Chairman of 
the Committe on Text Books, and was also on 
other important committees. He has been a mem- 
ber of the State Democratic committees, and it is 
safe to say that no other man iri the county has 
been so long in public oflSce, has held such a num- 
ber of offices, or has been a more upright or faith- 
ful official than Mr. Ilolbrook. The good of his 
section has alwa3'S been of paramount importance 
with him, personal considerations being of a very 
secondary nature. 

Our subject was first married to Miss Lizzie 
Adams, who was born in Oneida County, N. Y., a 
daughter of N. M. Adams, and to them five chil- 
dren were born, of whom four lived to maturity: 
Merritt L., who was graduated as an A. B. from 
the State University of Iowa, and is now President 
of the Commercial State Bank at Chehalis, Wash., 
in which Mr. Holbrook is a stockholder; Agnes, 
who was graduated from AVellesley College, of 



Massachusetts, now residing in Chicago; .Tames, who 
attended Williams College, at Williamstown, Mass.; 
and Cora, who is attending Miss Capen's school, at 
Northampton, Mass. Mr. Ilolbrook married his pres- 
ent wife in Lawrence, Kan., her maiden name b(.'ing 
Ida Osmond. She was a native of New .Jersey, but 
was reared in Iowa City, a daughter of Rev. S. M. 
Osmond, pastor of the Presbyterian Church of that 
place, but now a resident of Philadelphia. Mr. 
Holbrook and his present wife have one child. 
Prudence. Mr. Ilolbrook has one of the most 
beautiful and best appointed homes in Marengo, 
over which his amiable, intelligent and accom- 
plished wife presides in a graceful and dignified 
manner, and where a refined and generous hospi- 
tality is dispensed that is the delight of their many 
friends. Mr. Ilolbook has been truly ambitious, 
but with an ambition whose aim is pure and un- 
sullied, and his zealous adherence to true princi- 
ples has invited and won for him many distinc- 
tions in the county and State, the end of which is 
not j'et. 



/ ♦^•{^ 



E. WALLACE, the prominent and enterpris- 
ing editor of the Oxford LeudtT, ]>ublisiied 
in the village of Oxford, Iowa, and widely 
known throughout .Johnson County as an import- 
ant Democratic organ, efficiently conducted, edits 
a newspaper of real excellence, reliable in local 
items and correctly furnishing the outside news of 
the day. The (Jxford Leader is typographically 
attractive, and with its fund of information and 
the pungent and spicy editorials evoked by cur- 
rent affairs, is steadily gaining ground and now en- 
joys a subscription list of over eight hundred 
names. The editor who so skillfully wields his 
facile pen is a native of Oxford Township, and 
was born September 1, 1868. His father, E. R. 
Wallace, was among the very early and most en- 
terprising settlers of Oxford Township, but was 
born in Columbiana Countj', Ohio, and was there 



i^''^ 



^WT^ 5^^ 



'Sli 




c^A'iny(--^^Up7^ 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



241 



reared aud educated. He was a man of executive 
ability and broad intelligence, and discerning tlie 
greater opportunities of the Western country, lo- 
cated in Iowa while yet a comparatively }'0ung 
man. 

Arriving in Johnson County, E. R. Wallace set- 
tled in Oxford Township, about where tlie village 
of Oxford now stands, and engaging in the grain, 
stock and farming business built the lirst elevator 
in the township, and prosperously continued in 
the dailj' work of life until his death in 1892. 
Mr. Wallace was of Scotch descent, and inheriting 
the sturdy virtues of his forefathers, was known 
and respected as a man of sterling integrity of 
character and, liberal in sentiment and a truly pro- 
gressive citizen, ever ready to assist in the promo- 
tion of public enterprise, his death was mourned as 
an irreparable loss by the entire communities among 
which his later years had been passed. He was 
politically a Democrat and a firm supporter of the 
party whose principles he upheld, and throughout 
his career was ever interested in local and national 
issues. His estimable wife, Mrs. Tammer (Will- 
iams) Wallace, a native of Ohio, yet survives and 
makes her home in Oxford. 

Mrs. Wallace is the mother of five children, two 
daughters and three sons. Our subject was the 
fourth child of the family and was reared and ed- 
ucated in the home schools of Oxford. While yet 
a young boy he began, in 1882, to acquire the 
trade of a printer, and after a sufficient apprentice- 
ship entered into the active duties of the profes- 
sion. In 1891, Mr. Wallace established the Leadei; 
and from the first the paper was. an assured suc- 
cess, and has since been steadily winning its upward 
way into the kindly regards of the general public. 
Aside from the publishing and editing of the 
Leader our subject profitably conducts an excel- 
lent job-printing office, and in this lin<3 of work 
enjoys an extended and excellent ('lass of custom. 
Mr. Wallace has politically followed in the foot- 
steps of his father and ardently believes in the 
principles of true Democracy, as taught by that 
eminent statesman, Thomas Jefferson. Having 
l)assed his entire life amid the familiar scenes of his 
childhood, our subject is identified with the growth 
and upward progress of his home locality', and 

11 



with word and pen is ever ready to aid in the ad- 
vancement of all worthy interests connected with 
the public welfare. Knowing and being knovvn 
by the majority of the residents of Johnson 
County, Mr. AVallace has a host of friends en- 
deared to him by the associations of boyhood 
days. Yet in the dawn of early manhood and en- 
dowed with more than common ability and ear- 
nest purpose, our subject has a future of promise 
before him, and that he may worthily win in the 
race of life is the hearty good wish and sincere de- 
sire of all who know him. 



=^=^>^^<-^ 



ILVMILTOX, our subject, has an envia- 
ble lot, being possessed of a nice home at 
No. 820 Walnut Street, Iowa City, Iowa, 
aud of a valuable farm and other property, 
and is taking his ease after a long term of arduous 
service in the great army of toilers. He was born in 
Butler County, Ohio, March 17, 1829, being the 
son of Yale Hamilton, a native of Massachusetts, 
born in 1787. The latter, who was a private sol- 
dier in the War of 1812, received a fair education 
in his native place. He was in business in New 
York City for a while after his return from the 
war, and then went to Ohio, where he was married. 
Soon after he located in Fayette County, Ind., later 
removing to the northern part of that State, and 
then came to Johnson County, Iowa, in 1838, lo- 
cating on a farm three miles south of Iowa City, 
one of the earliest farm settlements in the county. 
It was Indian land, and had no improvements, but 
he soon built a log house upon it, 14x18 feet, for 
which he cut the logs on the place, the house 
having no floor. 

Seven hundred warlike Indians were within one- 
half mile of his home when he first settled there. 
Wearying of the life, he moved in 1842 to Iowa 
City, where he remained seven years, and then 
bought a farm in the northwestern part of Clear 
Creek Township, remaining there until his death, 
which occurred wJien he was sixty-five years of 



242 



POxlTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



age. He is supposed to have been of Irish 
descent. His wife, the mother of our subject, was 
Dorcas (Russell) Hamilton, a native of Vermont, 
who lived to be about sixt^'-seven years old, and 
was of Scotch and Welsh descent. They were the 
parents of twelve children, seven daughters and 
five sons. Two sons and two daughters are now 
living, they being: Susan, widow of Wesley Rey- 
nolds; Sybil, widow of John Harris, of the State 
of Washington; Hezekiah, our subject; and James, 
of Los Angeles, Cal. 

Mr. Hamilton, who was the eighth child, was 
eleven years old when became to Johnson County 
with his parents. His first book learning was re- 
ceived in a log cabin, he walking three miles to 
reach it daily, while he completed his education 
at Iowa City. At the age of twenty-one he left 
the parental roof, being married soon after, Sep- 
tember 24, 1850, to Mary E. Douglas, a native of 
Ohio, who came to Iowa in 1849. She died June 1, 

1883, having been the mother of five children, three 
daughters and two sons: Josephine, wife of D. 
Wilcox, of Malcolm City; Mary N.,wife of F. D. 
Burge, of Belle Plaine, Iowa; George A., of Ox- 
ford Township, Johnson County; andEbenezer and 
Ella Frances, twins, the former of Oxford Town- 
ship, and the latter the wife of Rev. R. E. Swartz, 
jiastor of tiie Christian Church at Emporia, Kan. 

Our subject married the second time, August 14, 

1884, the maiden name of his wife being Caroline 
Osborn. She was the widow of W. H. Ilagans, and 
the daughter of Edraond and Hannah Osborn, she 
having been born in Canada on the 11th of Ma}', 
1844, and had by her first marriage one child, 
James E., a cooper by trade, and who now re- 
sides at Cedar Rapids. Mrs. Hamilton went to 
Bay County, Mich., at the age of thirteen 3ears, 
and came to Iowa in the year 1861. After his first 
marriage Mr. Hamilton entered a farm in Oxford 
Township, Johnson County, paying $1.25 per 
acre, upon which there was not a single improve- 
ment; but in good spirits he set to work and built 
a log house, 14x18 feet, the first house of his own, 
and in it he spent his happiest days. Though 
starting so humbly, he had three hundred and 
ninety-seven acres when he retired in 1884. 

To get money to buy his firsts land our subject 



sold corn at ten cents a bushel, and to get his first 
cooking stove he sold a good cow for $10; dressed 
hogs he sold at $1.25 per hundred; good horses 
only brought 830 per head, and it took twenty-live 
cents to mail a letter. He remained upon the same 
farm until January 1, 1885, his time being given 
since to speculating in real estate and in seeing 
after his property. He is an earnest and devoted 
member of the Metlrodist Episcopal Church, where 
his influence is felt for much good. In politics 
he is a very strong Republican, being well 
read and remarkably well posted in political mat- 
ters, both in the history of the parties and in the 
issues of the day. He has persistently held out 
against holding office, his interest in polities grow- 
ing out of a sense of duty and a strong love of 
his country. 



**^^^^[ 



ENNIS IIOGAN has been a resident of 
III ))l 'Johnson Count}', Iowa, since 1853, his 
'i^Jf^ principal occupation during this time be- 
ing the one to which he was reared, that 
of farming. Although he has for some time been 
retired from the arduous labors of that calling, 
while actively engaged in the business it was not 
without justice that lie was conceded to hold an 
enviable position as a prosperous and remarkably 
successful man of affairs, for his business qualifi- 
cations were of the best, and his prudent foresight, 
sound judgment and energy were his best friends 
in his long career as a tiller of the soil. As his 
name would indicate, he is of Irish descent, his 
birth occurring in County Clare, Ireland, Maj- 5, 
1815, of which land his father and mother, Den- 
nis and Bridget (Tierney) Hogan, were also na- 
tives, their lives being spent in the land of their 
birtli. 

On the Isle of Erin the boyhood da3's of Dennis 
Hogan, the subject of this sketch, were spent, his 
time being given to attending the common schools 
and to assisting his father at farm labor until he 
reached manhood. In 1847 he wisely decided to 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



243 



come to the United States, and first set foot on 
Ainericau soil at Boston, Mass., of which city he 
remained a resident until his removal to the State 
of Iowa in 1853. He purchased a tract of one 
hundred and sixty acres of land in Johnson 
County, on which he soon afterward settled, and at 
once began improving the place by every means 
in his power. In 1861 he began adding to his 
farm, which was located in Clear Creek Township, 
and he eventually became the owner of three hun- 
dred and twenty acres in this tract and a large 
amount of land in other portions of the county. 
He improved his land with exceptionally good 
buildings, liis dwelling-house being neat and com- 
modious and decidedly home-like in all its ap- 
pointments. His land was well adapted to general 
farming, for, being fertile, large quantities of grain 
could be raised thereon, and being well watered it 
was well adapted for the raising of stock, a branch 
of his business to which Mr. Hogan gave consid- 
erable attention, annually raising large numbers 
of cattle, hogs and horses, many of the latter ani- 
mals being exceptionally fine. 

Having accumulated a handsome competency, 
and advancing age making retirement from the 
active duties of life desirable, he, in 1889, rented 
his farm, disposed of his stock, farming imple- 
ments, etc., and moved to Iowa City to spend the 
remainder of his life in the enjoyment of his 
well-earned holiday. He has a pretty home on the 
corner of Boweiy and Governor Streets and has 
around him everj'thing calculated to make the re- 
mainder of his days comfortable, happy and con- 
tented. His independent career was commenced 
in straitened circumstances but the competency 
of which he is now the [)ossessor should teach a 
useful lesson to all young men who are compelled 
to begin the battle of life empty-handed. 

Our subject has been married three times but 
lost his first wife in 1854, she leaving him with a 
little daughter to care for, Mary A., who died soon 
after her mother. His second wife was Miss Mary 
Hoylen, a native of the Slate of Hlinois, who died 
after becoming the mother of six children: Den- 
nis, Jr.; John, a prosperous farmer of the count}'; 
William; Catherine, who is the wife of Patrick 
Smith, of Polk County, Iowa; Margaret, and a 



child that died in infancy. In 1868 Mr. Hogan 
wedded his present wife, her maiden name being 
Julia Anna Clark, a daughter of Owen Clark, who 
was born in Ireland and came to this country 
many years ago. The offspring of Mr. Hogan 's 
third marriage are the following children: James, 
Albert, Anna and Richard. Two of Mr. Hogan 's 
sons are residing on and tilling the old home farm 
of three hundred and twenty acres. He has al- 
ways been rather independent in politics, confin- 
ing himself to no party lines, although he rather 
leans toward the political tenets of the Democratic 
party. For a number of years he was a Republi- 
can. While a resident of the rural districts he for 
some time filled the ofiice of Township Trustee, 
and while a Supervisor of the same kept the roads 
of his district in good condition. He and his 
wife are members of St. Patrick's Catholic Church. 
He is a man of whom the county has every reason 
to think highly, for he has been among the fore- 
most citizens in furthering and promoting all laud- 
able endeavor, and in his walk through life has 
been upright and just. 






^Sf^EV. II. (). PRATT, the able and eloipient 
V^fHx' pastor of the Methodist Episcopal Church 
(4^ n^, of Iowa City, Iowa, is widely known and 
highly esteemed. A brilliant lawyer of es- 
tablished re[)utation, winning high honors at the 
Bar of Iowa State, he was sent to the House of 
Representatives, and with fidelity discharging 
the duties entrusted to his care, was returned to 
the post of duty at the Capitol City, and was again 
and yet again returned to his seat in Legislative 
halls, and finally was elected to the Forty-third 
and Forty-fourth Congresses, and during Gen. 
Grant's second term gave most efficient service 
upon important committees. Returning home 
flushed with victory and conscious that he had 
made an enviable record, he was suddenly smitten 
with the sword of the Lord and was converted, 
and from that hour has devoted his talents uutir- 



244 



POETRAIT AND BIOGRAPmCAL RECORD. 



ingly to the service of the Master, and forsaking 
the practice of the law became a minister of the 
Gospel, preaching the Word throughout the State. 
Accomplishing much of good bj^ his earn est efforts, 
he has won the confidence and esteem of the 
general public and is appreciated by the church to 
which he is endeared by many sacred associations. 

Our subject was born in the town of Foxcroft, 
Piscataquis County, Me., February 11, 1838. His 
father, Seth C. Pratt, was a native of Vermont, born 
in 1808, and was of English descent and a farmer 
by occupation. He died in Maine in 1881. The 
mother, Mary (Herring) Pratt, was a native of 
Massachusetts and was born in 1812. Her parents 
moved to the town of Guilford, where she was 
raised and educated. The paternal grandfather, 
.Joel Pratt, was also a tiller of the soil, and remov- 
ing from Vermont to Maine died in the latter State 
at a good old age, four score years and ten. Seth 
C. Pratt and his good wife were the parents of 
five children, three sons and two daughters, four 
of whom attained to maturity. C3-nthia is the wife 
of George D. B. Herring, and they reside in Guil- 
ford, Me.; Henry Ottis is our subject; Rev. George 
W. is the Presiding Elder of the Sioux City dis- 
trict of the Xorthwesturn Iowa Conference; Emma 
is the wife of Henry Stanhope; they live at the old 
home place in Maine, where the mother yet resides.- 
The eldest child, George, died at about the age of 
three jears. 

Our subject is the third child and the second 
son, and was raised upon the home place, enjoy- 
ing the advantage of instruction in the Foxcroft 
Academy, where he was fitted for college. A close 
student and one who well improved his time, 
Henry O. Pratt matriculated at Bowdoin (Me.) 
College, at twenty j'cars of age. In 1860 he en- 
tered the law department of Harvard College, and 
read with Hon. .John H. Rice, of Foxcroft. Grad- 
uating from Harvard in the spring of 1862 Mr. Pratt 
came to Iowa, and located in Mason City, Cerro 
Gordo County. Soon after came the Government 
call for volunteers during the Civil War, and with- 
out delay our subject responded by enlisting in 
the Thirty-second Iowa Infantry, Company B,and 
was under the command of Col. John Scott. After 
rendezvousing at Dubucjue, he was taken sick with 



measles, and in April, 1863, was discharged from 
the service on account of disability. Returning 
to Iowa in the fall of 1863, he located in Charles 
City, Floyd County, and taught a district school 
until the year 1864, when he went into partnership 
witli William B. Fairfield, of that city, and en- 
gaged in the I'ractice of law. During the fall 
of the same year Mr. Fairfield was elected District 
Judge, and our subject continued the practice 
alone. October 21, 1865, H. O. Pratt and Miss 
Mahala Woodward, a native of Indiana, were 
united in marriage. Mrs. Pratt was born in April, 
1844, and her parents dying when she was young, 
she was brougiit up in the home of her uncle. Jacob 
Leonard, her mother's brother, and a resident of 
Charles City. Iowa. 

In 1867 Mr. Pratt was elected County Superin- 
tendent of Public Schools of Floyd County, and 
held the position two years, and in 1869 was 
elected to the House of Representatives of the 
State of Iowa. Re-elected b}' a large majorit3', he 
was returned to the House in 1871 on the Repub- 
lican ticket. He was a member of the Thirteenth 
and Fourteenth General Assemblies. In the Four- 
teenth Assembly he was elected Chairman of the 
Judiciary Committee, whicli took charge of the 
Revision of the Code of Iowa. In 1872 our sub- 
ject was elected to the Forty-third Congress, in 
1874 was returned to the Fortj'-fourth Congress, 
remaining during the four years of Gen. Grant's 
second term. He returned to the duties of private 
life March 4, 1877, with the intention of devoting 
himself entirely to the practice of his profession. 

Up to this time our subject had taken no 
interest in religion, nor had he ever been a 
member of the church. In April, 1877, he was, 
while attending a meeting in Charles City, con- 
verted, and from the first was impressed with the 
belief that it was his duty to pre.ach the Gospel. 
He united with the Methodist Episcopal Church 
of Charles City in May, 1877, on probation. Our 
subject began to preach the very next Sunday, 
and has had a pulpit at his disposal ever since. 
In June of the same }ear he became the regular 
supply of the Metiiodist Episcopal Church of 
Waterloo, Iowa, and entered the conference in 
October of the same year. Remaining three years 




^^/^ JL.^cK<^A^ 



PORTRAIT AND BICGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



247 



and four months with his first charge in Water- 
loo, he uext ministererl to a church in Toledo, 
Tama County, Iowa, and taking charge in 1880, 
remained two j-ears. He then went to St. Paul's 
Methodist Episcopal Cliurcli at Cedar Rapids and 
spent tiiree profitable years with that congrega- 
tion. At the expiration of tliat time he was sta- 
tioned in the First Metliodist Episcopal Church at 
Marslialltown, and there remained the three suc- 
ceeding years. In the fall of 1888, the Rev. Mr. 
Pratt came to his present charge in Iowa Citj', 
where he now expects to be stationed until the 
fail of 1893, the full limit of his time. Mr. and 
Mrs. Pratt are the parents of sis children, three 
daughters and three sons. Myrtie is the wife of 
Bert T. Jackson, of Cedar Rapids; Emma G. is at 
iiome; George H. is in his second year in the State 
University of Iowa; Harrj' O. is in the second 
year in the University; Ralph W. is in the last 
j'ear of the High School; Ruth E., a briglit young 
girl, is attending school. Blessed in his home re- 
lations and sustained in the duties of the minis- 
terial profession b}' an approving conscience, our 
subject goes steadily forward in the work to which 
he was called, and has already achieved results 
whose value can onl^^ be determined by time and 
eteinitv. 



]^. 



■+^[ 



\|'OHN M. HAAS is a wealtliy and retired 
merchant of Iowa City. He ranks high in 
^,^1 the estimation of his fellow-citizens, and is 
^^fj one of the active and progressive business 
men who have been of incalculable benefit to this 
city in building up her enterprises and fixing them 
upon a firm financial basis. A native of German}', 
he is another striking example of the success ac- 
complished through their national characteristics 
of industry and good business ability, which un- 
der the fostering influences and encouragement of 
American institutions have so often achieved a 
marked success in all walks of life. 

John M. Haas was born May .5, 1804, in Baden, 



Germany, and is the eldest son of Michael and 
Catherine (Walter) Haas, the former following the 
peaceful pursuits of a farmer in the Fatherland, 
where he died in 1823. His wife was called to her 
final rest scarcely five years later, her death occur- 
ring in 1828. The boyhood of our subject was 
passed in his native place, where lie attended 
school until reaching tlie age of fourteen years, 
and received a good education in his mother 
tongue. He then learned the trade of a weaver, 
which occupation he followed until 1838. when he 
concluded to try his fortune in the United States. 
Crossing the briny deep, he landed at Philadelphia, 
from which city he went to Pittsburgh, thence to 
Evansville, Ind., and from that point to St. Louis, 
where he remained until 1852, employed at weav- 
ing carpets. 

Coming to this city in the early '50s, our sub- 
ject opened a grocery store in company with his 
son, Frank J., under the firm name of Haas &Son. 
Three years later the.y added a stock of dry goods, 
and carried on a general store for a short time, af- 
terward closing out the grocery and carrying a 
more extensive line of dry goods. This business 
he continued until 1866, when our subject sold out 
his interest tolas son, and retired from active life. 
The latter continued the business in the same place 
until a short time before his death, which occurred 
in July, 1892. Since giving up any special line 
of occupation, our subject has devoted his time to 
looking after various investments. 

June 24, 1825, Mr. Haas wedded Miss Anna 
Maria Rittenger, a native of Baden, German}-, and 
a daughter of Peter Rittenger. To them were 
born two children, a son and a daughter: Cather- 
ine, who married Clements Menue; and Frank G., 
who, as before stated, was for many years engaged 
in business with his father, and was a prominent 
merchant in this cit}' until he was called from this 
life in 1892. The mother of these children, who 
was a devoted member of the Catholic Church, be- 
longing to St. Mary's congregation, departed this 
life in 1872. Mr. Haas is also a member of the 
same church, as is also his daughter. He makes his 
home in a substantial brick residence on Summit 
Street, which is well built in modern style, and his 
daughter resides with him. Mr. Haas has four 



248 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



grandchildren, of whom he is naturall}' very fond. 
He is an estimable gentleman, and one of those 
genial, warm-hearted persons who make friends 
wiierever the^' go. In politics, he is on national 
matters a Republican, but in local affairs lie votes 
for the man that he deems best qualified for the 
office. One thing has always been said of Mr. 
Haas, and that is, that he is a man of the highest 
integritv, and that his word is as good .is his bond. 



b»l » I p ! ■ » > — ^ 



^^ APT. N. A. HOLSON, the subject of our 
(ll p sketch, a retired farmer, has a very fine res- 
^^^/ idence in West Iowa City, presided over 
until recently by an estimable lady, the charm of 
whose manners attracted to her a circle of warm 
friends. The Captain won for himself a most 
enviable reputation in the arm}' during the dark 
hours of the Republic, and won distinction after- 
ward as a skilled and successful farmer. He w.as 
born in Richland County, Ohio, January 10, 1830, 
being the son of David F. Ilolson, a native of 
Ohio, who died when a young man. His father, 
Capt. William Holson, a native of Scotland, and 
a Ca])tain in the Kevolutionary War, came to 
America when young and located in Ohio. His 
brother Stephen settled in Tennessee and the Hols- 
ton River of that State is named in his honor. 

The mother of our subject, Barbara (Williams) 
Holson, was a native of Ohio, and her father of 
Pennsylvania. She was married to the father of 
our subject in Ohio in 1826 and settled in Richland 
County, where thej' remained throughout their 
lives. The mother survived her husband six years, 
leaving our subject an orphan, and he was taken by 
his uncle, Jesse Williams. At the age of fourteen 
he was placed at the trade of a saddler and at the 
age of seventeen, in 1847, he enlisted in Company 
1), Fourth Ohio Infantry, and served as a private 
throughout the Mexican War. After his return he 
entered the University of Indiana, at Blooniington, 
remained two years and then taught school several 
years in Oliio. In 18.54, he went to California by 



way of Panama and worked two years in the mines 
in Nevada, that State. Returning to Ohio, he mar- 
ried in August of that year, 18.56, Miss Patience J. 
Adams, a native of Greene County, Ohio, the 
daughter of Isaac II. and Malinda (Stinson) Adams, 
natives of Ross Count}', Ohio, and lived in the 
same until their marriage, when they located in 
Greene Count}'. Mrs. Ilolson was the fifth of nine 
children, four daughters and five sons. 

Our subject came to Richmond, W.ashingtou 
County, Iowa, in 1857 and went into the business 
of a general merchant, remaining in it for two 
years, and then, in 1861, organized the first nucleus 
of a company in the State, turning it over to Capt. 
Crabbe, afterward Colonel of the Nineteenth Iowa 
Infantry. Upon notice that his company had been 
accepted, he at once organized Company E, of the 
Tenth Iowa Infantry, and was in camp at Iowa City 
August 24, 1861, and was mustered into the United 
States service September 6, 1861. He was in all 
the engagements up to the battle of Champion Hill, 
where he was wounded by a minie-ball in the left 
arm; he was also struck on the belt-plate by two 
minie-balls, at close quarters and was disabled. Re- 
ceiving a furlough, he went home for forty d.ays. 
After this he was kept on detail duty until he re- 
signed in 1864, having served three years and three 
days. He then located upon a farm of one hun- 
dred and forty acres in Washington County, which 
he improved, afterward adding two hundred and 
forty acres to the first purchase. 

Our subject retired from active business in 187il 
and settled in Iowa City, with the object of giving 
his children an education. December 26, 18112, he 
suffered an irreparable loss in the death of his wife, 
which resulted from injuries received by a fall 
from the porch during the icy season. Seven 
children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Ilolson : Ida M., 
widow of John H. Bailey, who has a millinery store 
in Casey, Iowa; AUicne, a teacher in the High School 
of Iowa City and a graduate of the University, 
Class of '86; Dr. J. Butler, a graduate of the Ken- 
tucky School of Medicine at Louisville, practicing 
in southern Illinois; Dr. Ralph R., who graduated 
from the same school as his brother J. Butler, 
and is practicing in southern Illinois; Dr. J. Oland, 
a graduate of the State University, and a practicing 



PORTRAIT AND BIOORAPHICAL RECORD. 



249 



dentist at Adair, Iowa; Patience L. C, attending 
tlie University at Iowa City; and Earl, of tlie 
grammar school of Iowa City. All the children 
have received excellent educations. Our subject has 
ijcen a Democrat since 1872 and is quite strong in 
his political views. He has been a member of the 
Ancient Free & Accepted Masons since he was 
twent3'-one j'ears old, receiving the degrees at 
Mansfield, Ohio, and is a member of Post No. 8, G. 
A. R., of Iowa City. Capt. Holsou is a consistent 
member of tlie Methodist Episcopal Church of 
Iowa City. 



•'•^^•?- — 



=^^ 



ENRY SHERMAN, a leading agriculturist, 
extensive stock raiser and shipper, who 
erected the second house built in Chester 
Township, Poweshiek County, and is one 
of the oldest living pioneers in this part of the 
State, has for thirt3'-six continuous years resided 
upon the old homestead to which he brought his 
wife May 18, 1857. Since the latter date our sub- 
ject has filled with honor nearly every official 
position of trust within the gift of the township, 
and has been in limatel}' associated with the growth 
and progress of his home vicinity and has taken an 
active part in the promotion of the vital inter- 
ests of Poweshiek County. 

Mr. Sherman was born in Croydon, N. II., Sep- 
tember 10, 1832, and was the fourth child in the 
familj' of five children who blessed the home of 
his parents, William and Mahala (Durgee) Sher- 
man. The father and mother were both natives 
of New Hampshire, .and reared their children in 
their birtliplace, Croydon. Jason W. (deceased), 
the eldest born, was the first permanent settler in 
Chester Township, Poweshiek County, Iowa, where 
his family yet live; L. N. (deceased) resided in 
Grinnell, and was a retired farmer; Wilson is now 
a citizen of Chester Township; our subject, Henry, 
was the next in order of birth; and Cynthia M. 
is the wife of H. T. Wheelock, of Grinuell. 

The parents of Mr. Sherman made their home 



in Poweshiek County in 1865, and the father soon 
became one of the prominent citizens, and, a true 
Christian man of unswerving rectitude and con- 
scientiousness, did much by his example and pure 
life to influence others and bring them to Christ. 
The Sherman family were people of piety, and 
Grandfather William Sherman was a descendant of 
the same familj' of Shermans from which sprang 
Roger Sherman,one of the signers of the Declaration 
of Independence. Since early times the Sherman an- 
cestors have been tillers of the soil, hard-working 
and industrious agriculturists. Our subject spent 
the da3's of his boyhood in his native place, and 
at seventeen years of age removed to Hancock 
County, HI., where he remained four years. He 
next located in Lyons, Clinton County, Iowa, and 
three years later, in the fall of 1856, came to 
Poweshiek County, but in the winter of the same 
year he returned to Croydon, N. H. In New- 
port, N. II., March 24, 1857, Mr. Sherman was 
united in marriage with Miss Almyra Dudley, of 
English ancestry, and a direct descendant of 
Lord Dudley and Lady Jane Grey. The great- 
grandparents of Mrs. Sherman were born in Old 
England. 

Within a short time after their marri.age our 
subject and his go'od wife were on their way to 
the broad West, and, safely arrived in Iowa, Mr. 
Sherman removed his personal propeit}' from 
Lyons to Poweshiek Count}-, and soon began 
housekeeping in the second dwelling in Chester 
Township, where they now live. He is at pres- 
ent rebuilding it, and, when completed, it will 
hardly be recognized as the original, in whose 
rooms were held the first elections of the town- 
ship. Considerable of the material of the old 
house was hauled from Iowa Cilj', and some time 
was consumed in the building. Mr. and Mrs. 
Sherman, the two oldest living settlers of Chester 
Township, became the parents of three children, 
of whom but two reached mature years. Fannie 
H., the eldest, is a graduate of Iowa College, at 
Grinnell; Elmer H. died young; and Ralph is mar- 
ried and resides with his parents. Our subject 
owns a fine farm of two hundred and fifteen acres 
under a high state of cultivation and j-early in- 
creasing in value. Always a representative man 



250 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



of the county, he has held various official offices, 
and was County Supervisor one term, transacting 
the business and duties of the position with ef- 
ficiency. Financially, our subject has prospered, 
and for some years has engaged iu breeding and 
raising Holstein cattle. In the year 1870, he 
fed and shipped the first entire carload of cat- 
tle sent by any one resident of the township to 
market. His father had for many years loaned 
money, and when his health failed Mr. Sherman 
engaged profitably also in that business. 

Politically, our subject, his father and brothers 
joined the Republican party at the time of its or- 
ganization, and have remained constant to its 
principles ever since. In the home of Mr. Sher- 
man or his brother were held in the aurly days of 
the township's history all the religious meetings 
and official gatherings, and memories of the past 
cluster around the old homestead, which has 
echoed to the voices of so many who have gone 
before. Our subject and his estimable wife have 
ever been foremost in the good work of their 
neighborhood, and in the evening of their happy 
and useful lives, rich in blessings, enjoy tiie 
high regard and sincere wishes of a host of true 
friends. Mr. Sherman has recently received the 
appointment as a member of the Advisory Coun- 
cil of the World's Congress Auxiliary on Farm 
Culture and Cereal Industry, and as a member of 
the World's Agricultural Congress to convene in 
Chicago October 16, 1893. 



^TTUS R. FRY, a retired farmer, who is now 
making his home in Iowa City, Iowa, is one 
of the forceful Ohio men who left that no- 
ble Slate to avail themselves of larger opportuni- 
ties which the West afforded. lie was born in 
Licking County, Ohio, on the 2d of February, 
1811. His father, Jacob Fiy, was one of the very 
early settlers of that State from Pennsylvania. 
The latter took for his companion through the 
journey of life Miss Susanna lieckingpali, who was 



also a Pennsylvanian, and a German by descent, to 
which worthy race of people the Frys also belonged. 
The family is well known and the name is a very 
familiar one throughout Johnson County, for to 
this region the family came when the country was 
wild and unbroken and when the march of civili- 
zation was rapidlj^ going forward. The early ed- 
ucational advantages of Titus R. Fry were of the 
common-school order, but being an ambitious 
youth lie made rapid progress in his studies 
through patient, persistent and intelligent plod- 
ding, and upon reaching a suitable age began the 
calling of a teacher, for which he seemed to 
have a natural aptitude, and for some time this 
occupation received his attention during the win- 
ter months, the summer months being devoted to 
carpentering, with which trade he bad become fa- 
miliar in early manhood. Becoming tired of a life 
of single blessedness, he wooed and won for his 
wife Miss Jane Preston, who was born in Licking 
County, Ohio, October 28, 1815, a daughter of 
Samuel and Rachel (Frost) Preston, the former a 
man of much worth, and who was universally re- 
spected. 

Soon after the celebration of our subject's nup- 
tials he settled in Licking County, and there his 
home continued to be until the fall of 1840, when 
he started with his family Westward, Johnson 
County, Iowa, being his objective point. Like so 
many of the most useful of the early pioneers, he 
at once became the owner of a tract of land, his 
property lying on Old Man's Creek, in Washing- 
ton Township, and consisting of one hundred and 
sixty acres, to the cultivation and improvement 
of which place his time and strength were given 
for a great many years. He labored intelligently, 
and being a man of progressive views, quick to 
grasp at new and improved methods of conduct- 
ing his operations, his place soon took on the ap- 
pearance of a farm, and it could be easily seen 
that Mr. Fry possessed the essential attributes of 
a successful farmer. He wisely followed general 
farming, stock-raising receiving a by no means 
minor part of his attention, and this wholesome 
and independent, if somewhat laborious, occupa- 
tion was his chief means of subsistence until his 
retirement from the active duties of life and his 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



253 



removal to Iowa Cit}- in 1872, where he e::pects 
to spend the remainder of his days, enjoying the 
comforts and the liberal means which his earl.y in- 
dustry was the means of securing for him. He 
has the satisfaction of knowing that his life has 
been well spent, and that while obtaining a com- 
petency, his efforts were Herculean in reducing the 
county from its primitive state to its present mag- 
nificent condition of cultivation and civilization. 
Among the pioneers of the county there is no one 
who more full}' illustrates in his career the re- 
sourcefulness, the unbounded energy and the ac- 
tivity of the men who laid the foundations of 
present prosperity in the Commonwcallli of Iowa 
than Titus R. Fry. 

The union of Mr. and IMrs. Fry resulted in the 
birth of tlie following children: Mary J., at home; 
Rachel E., wife of Jacob Patterson, of California; 
Samuel P., a farmer; William A., cashier of the 
Johnson Count}- Bank; Amanda, who married and 
died after giving birth to a daughter; Samantha 
and Flora, deceased; and Carrie B., who married 
Bert Wymau and removed to Florida, where she 
died, leaving a little son. 

When Mr. Fry resided on his farm he served in 
the capacity of Justice of the Peace for several 
years, and was also Supervisor of AVashington 
Township for some time. He has always been a 
pronounced Democrat, and he and his wife are 
members of the Christian Church, in which he was 
a Deacon, and afterwaid an Elder. 



T 



m 



OHN J. ENGLERT, the popular and well- 
known Slieriff of Johnson County, whose 
residence is in Iowa Citj', was born in this 
place October 25, 1849. His father, Lewis 
Englert, was a native of Germany, born in 1811, 
and educated in his mother tongue. While still 
in his youtli he emigrated to the United States, 
soon afterward coming to Iowa City, where he 
was united in marriage with Miss Clara Kemper, 



also a native of Germany, and who emigrated to 
the United States with her parents when a joung 
girl. She is still living and making her home in 
Iowa City. The father of our subject erected and 
started the first brewery at this point, which he 
operated for a number of years, and which was 
known as the City Brewery. This he sold in 1876, 
and retiring from active business life passed his 
remaining days on a farm adjoining the city. He 
was called from this life in 1882. 

John J. Englert, of whom this is a brief life rec- 
ord, is the third in order of birth of eight brothers 
and sisters, six of whom are sons and two daughters. 
His lioyhood was passed in Iowa Cit}', where he 
received good school advantages and attended a 
private school a portion of tlie time. With his 
parents he located on the farm, assisting his father 
in carrj'ing on the same until arriving at his 
twent3'-flrst 3'ear. Desiring then to see a little of 
his own land before settling down to business life, 
he took a trip out West, and for some time was en- 
gaged in the manufacture of brick in Nebraska, 
also in carrying on a farm thei-e until 1875. The 
following year he returned to Iowa City, and pur- 
chased the brewery formerly owned by bis father 
This business he continued with good success for 
several years, until the works were closed down In 
1883, when he turned his attention to dealing in 
ice and wood. 

In 1889, Mr. Englert was elected Alderman of the 
Fourth Ward, in which capacity he served faith- 
fully for four j'ears, and in that 3'ear was elected 
Sheriff of Johnson Countj' on the Democratic 
ticket, was i-e-elected to that position and is now 
serving his second term. He still carries on his 
ice and wood business, employing six men and 
four teams. 

In 1874, Mr. Englert was nnited in marriage 
with Miss Maiy Lachck, of this city, who four 
years later was called to her final rest, the date of 
that sad event being June 11, 1878. She left 
three children to mourn her loss, who are William, 
Aggie and Maiy. Our subject wedded his second 
wife in 1883. She was before her marriage Miss 
Magdelena, daughter of Frank Volkinger, also of 
Iowa Cit}'. Of their union were born five chil- 
dren, who in order of birth are as follows: Ad- 



254 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



die, Laura, Katie (deceased), John and Clarence. 
The pleasant home of the Englert family is on 
Market Street, between Linn and Gilbert. In his 
political affiliations, our subject is a stanch sup- 
porter of the Democracy', and religiously is a 
member of St. Mary's Church and Parish. 



Wl 



^^ Towa, is one 
f^/J ware, tinwai 



\T AMES C. COCHRAN, a prominent citizen 
I I and leading business man of Iowa City, 
one of the largest dealers in hard- 
ware and house-furnishing goods 
in .Johnson Count}-, and carries a varied and ex- 
tensive stock second to none in this part of the 
State. Energetic, enterprising and a man of ex- 
ecutive ability and excellent judgment, he has won 
his way upward and by his self-reliant efforts has 
gained a comfortable competence and a position 
of influence and usefulness. 

Our subject is a native of Scotland and was 
born May 20, 1833. When fifteen years of age, he 
emigrated to America with his parents, John and 
,Iane (Gould) Cochran, and in 1854 located in 
Iowa City, where his father and mother resided 
until their death. The father was a skilled me- 
chanic and a tinsmith b^- trade. He lived to he 
eighty years of age and passed away in 1872. The 
mother surviving until her eightieth year died in 
1884. 

Our subject was the second of the seven chil- 
dren born unto the parents and received his 
schooling in Scotland. He had early been trained 
to habits of tlirifty industry and was courage- 
ous and self-reliant. For a time after arriving in 
Iowa City he worked for the firm of Hart (fc Love, 
but in a comparatively brief period began business 
for himself, and for thirty-eight continuous years 
has supplied a large trade in his line of goods, and 
as the surrounding countr}' became more thickly 
populated his custom increased, finally assuming 
proportions whose magnitude was far bej'ond the 
early expectations of our subject. In 1862, .Tames 



C. Cochran and Miss Maria Doty, of .Johnson 
County, but a native of Pennsylvania, were united 
in marriage. Mrs. Cochran was the daughter of 
Theodore and Susan (Bowen) Doty, pioneer set- 
tlers of Iowa, widely known and highly respected. 

Seven children have brightened the home of Mr. 
and Mrs. Cochran with their presence, five of whom 
are deceased; those living are a son and daugh- 
ter, who have now gone out into homes of their 
own. Hattie C. is the wife of Charles H. Dayton 
and is a cultured and accomplished lady. Fred 
J. Cochran is the well-known and successful young 
attorney-at-law, whose legal ability has won him 
a .prosperous and extensive practice in the upper 
courts. The onl}' son, he received a thorough and 
practical education in tlie excellent public schools 
of his birthplace, Iowa City, and later took a com- 
mercial course, finally entering the law depart- 
ment of the State University, from which he grad- 
uated in 1892. Engaging at once in the duties of 
his profession he has in a short time built up an 
excellent legal business and has a promising fut- 
ure before him. He wedded Miss Gail Huntsman, 
of Oskaloosa, Iowa, a daughter of Dr. H. C. Hunts- 
man, a prominent physician of the Hawkeye State. 
Our young attorney is a valued member of Eureka 
Lodge No. 44, I. O. O. F., and takes a deep inter- 
est in local and national politics. 

Mr. Cochran was Treasurer of the Iowa City Pub- 
lishing Co., and is a Director in the same. He is as- 
sociated with the Iowa Packing and Provision Co., 
of Iowa City, and is a Director of this corporation. 
Our subject and his estimable wife are both mem- 
bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church and are 
liberal supporters of the Gospel, faithfully aiding 
in the good works and social and benevolent en- 
terprises of their denomination. Mr. Cochran has 
long been an officer of the church and is known 
as an upright man of sterling worth. The pleas- 
ant and attractive home. No. 314 South Clinton 
Street, is one of the most desirable residences in 
Iowa City, and there many friends find a welcome 
greeting. Blessed with prosperity our subject has 
the satisfaction of knowing that by his own in- 
telligent and unvarying industry and excellent 
judgment he has worthily gained a competence 
and attained a position in his adopted country 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



255 



which commands for him the respect and confi- 
dence of his fellow-citizens. He is one of the 
charter members of the Johnson County Savings 
Bank and has occupied a number of positions in 
the corporation, at present being one of the Direc- 
tors. The capital stock is 8125,(10(1. 

Our subject, like liis son, is a member of Eureka 
Lodge No. 44, I. O. O. F., and in business life has 
occupied many positions of trust. 



Wl OHN J. RESSLER is doing fine work in his 
own community as a tiller of the soil, and 
in the cultivation of his farm and the de- 
velopment of the resources of his vicinity 
his labors have been Herculean. To see that his 
efforts have been rewarded it is but necessary to 
look over his fine farm, for the energy and care 
that have been expended upon it are at once rec- 
ognized in the orderly and thrifty appearance of 
everything. He is a native of the kingdom of 
Wurtemberg, Germany, his birth occurring October 
4, 1822, and of that place his parents, George .and 
Catherine (Senyder; Ressler, were also natives. 
George Ressler with his wife and seven children 
came to America in 1830, the ocean voyage occu- 
pying thirty-five days. They settled in Mahoning 
County, Ohio, where they remained until the 
spring of 18.34, from which time until 1838 they 
resided in Crawford County, of the same State. 
They then resided a short time in Madison and 
Warren Counties, Ohio, and in 1840 found them- 
selves in Johnson County, Iowa, the journey be- 
ing made by wagon to Cincinnati, and from there 
b^- the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers to Muscatine, 
Iowa (then called Bloomington), thence to Iowa 
City on foot. The father settled one mile west of 
where John J. now lives, where he partially devel- 
oped a farm, but died at the age of sixty-three 
years. He and his wife were members of the 
Lutheran Church, and he was first a Democrat and 
then a Republican politically. Of seven children 



born to them five attained mature years: Christo- 
pher S., Gotleib F.. John J., Catherine (Mrs. Bruhn) 
and Mary (Mrs. ^'onstein). The motlier of these 
children died at the age of seventy-eight years. 

John J. Ressler has been a subject of Uncle Sam 
since he was eight years of age, and attended 
school in both Germany and America, the old-time 
subscription scliools of Ohio, which were con- 
ducted in rude log houses, affording him the prin- 
cipal part of his education. He and his three 
brothers came to Iowa in March, 1840, the remain- 
der of the famil3' arriving in July of the same 
j'ear. He followed various occupations as a means 
of livelihood for some time after his arrival iiere. 
There were only three settlers between his father's 
home and Iowa City, and the red man and wild 
animals were a much more familiar sight than the 
white man for a number of years. Like the other 
early settlers his trading was done at Muscatine 
and for a long time all the lumber that he used 
was hauled from there. December 26, 1858, Fan- 
nie Miller, a native of York County, Pa., where 
she was born March 31, 1842, became his wife. 
At the age of seven years she was brought to 
this State by her parents, Jacob and Elizabeth 
(Me3ers) Miller, native Pennsylvanians. They 
died in Sharon Township, at the age of eight3'-two 
and seventy-eight years, respectively, both earnest 
members of the Evangelical Church. 

The union of John J. Ressler and Fannie Miller 
resulted in the birth of thirteen children, two of 
whom died in infancy: Annie E., Agnes, Alice J., 
Emma M., Mary F. (deceased), Sarah I., Charles 
F., Laura E., Henry A., Edwin J., Cora M., Rosa 
V. (deceased) and Arthur A. Mr. Ressler has a 
fine tract of land comprising four hundred and 
twenty-four acres, on which he settled when there 
were no improvements of any description. The 
land was part timber and part prairie land. Al- 
though he has given considerable attention to 
raising the cereals, the most of his time has been 
given to raising horses, cattle, sheep and hogs, in 
which he has been remarkably successful. He and 
his wife are members of the Evangelical Church, 
with which they have been connected for twenty- 
six years, and the Rei)ublican party has ever 
found in him a stanch supporter. He has held 



256 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



the positions of Constable, Trustee and Road Su- 
pervisor in liis township, and on various occasions 
has been Director in his School District. In 1849 
he was taken witli the "gold fever" and crossed 
tlie plains to California, being six months on the 
way. His company had one engagement with the 
Indians. He mined for three years in California 
and met with fair success. He returned home by 
water and has since given his attention to agri- 
cultural pursuits. In 1846 he made two trips 
down the Mississippi River on a flatboat to New 
Orleans, by which means he made enough money 
to enter forty acres of land. He lias been quite an 
extensive traveler and has been all over Kansas, 
Colorado and Nebraska. He is an intelligent man, 
well posted on the current topics of the day, and 
has numerous friends. In 1864 he was drafted 
for the war, but being unable to go paid ^400 for 
a substitute. 



i>-^^<^^ 



PREI) AHLLER is an upright, energetic and 
successful tiller of the soil in the vicinit}- 
of the city of Mai-engo, his estate compris- 
ing sixty-five and a-half acres. He was born in 
Brunswick, Germany, January 11, 1849, a son of 
Frank Miller, who was a stonemason by trade. In 
1851 the latter came with his family, consisting of 
a wife and three children, to America, taking pas- 
sage at Bremen on a sailing-vessel for the port of 
New York, where they landed after a voyage of 
nine weeks. They at once removed to the vicin- 
ity of Niagara Falls, N. Y., where Mr. Miller fol- 
lowed his trade until the suspension bridge was 
built, when lie assisted in its construction and 
died of cholera while thus employed, in 1854. His 
wife, Henriette Beikhan, was also born in Bruns- 
wick, and after being left a widow, she labored 
faithfully early and late for their support. Af- 
ter a time she was married again, Henry Keye, a 
stonemason and brickli3-er from Brunswick, be- 
coming her second husband. In August, 1862, 
the}- came to Iowa Count\-, Iowa, and located at 



South Araana, where Mr. Keye followed his trade 
for three years, then took up the same occupation 
in Marengo, whither he moved and followed it 
until his death, becoming quite wealthj'. He be- 
came the owner of a farm of two hundred and 
fort3^-nine acres in the vicinity of the cit^'. His 
wife died in 1892, at the age of seventy-one years, 
a worthy member of the Lutheran Church. The 
mother's second union resulted in the birth of two 
children. 

Fred Miller was the youngest of the three chil- 
dren born to his parents, and until thirteen years 
of age lived in sight of the famous Niagara Falls. 
He was given the advantages of the common 
schools, but at the age of thirteen years he was set 
to work at the brick and stonemason's trade, con- 
tinuing it in the colony at South Amana until 
seventeen j'ears of age, when he turned his atten- 
tion to farming. He remained with his mother 
and steiifather until he attained his majoritj', then 
began farming for himself on the old home place, 
and later in different parts of the State, and bought 
and sold a number of farms, principally in Iowa 
count}-. In 1890 he purchased his present farm 
of sixty-five and a-lialf acres adjoining the city of 
Marengo, and built thereon a good house and 
barns and otherwise greatl}^ improved it. This 
])lace is ad vantageouslj- located, and the soil is very 
fertile, foritismostl.y Iowa River bottom land. It is 
well fenced and improved, consequently is a val- 
uable tract. Mr. Miller devotes it principally to 
the raising of cattle and hogs, for which branch of 
agriculture he seems to have a decided taste. 

His marriage was celebrated in the cit}' of Mar- 
engo on the 9th of August, 1871, bis wife being 
formcrl}' Miss Christina Klever, a native of Hol- 
stein, Germany, whose father was Fred Klever, 
also a native of that country, who came to the 
United States in 1867, locating in Iowa County, 
Iowa, in September of that year, at West Pilot, 
where he has since been successfull}- (conducting a 
good farm. His wife was Catherine Knave, a Ger- 
man lady, who was called from life at West Pilot 
in 1879. Mrs. Miller was next to the youngest of 
nine children born to them, and since her seven- 
teenth year has been a resident of Iowa Count}-. 
She is an intelligent and amiable woman, a kind 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



257 



and wise mdther and a faithful and helpful wife. 
She has borne Mr. Miller four children: Sophia, 
wife of John H. Tiernan; Mary, Katie and Min- 
nie. 

Mr. Miller is one of the progressive and enter- 
prising business men of the count}', and in addi- 
tion to his numerous duties has found time to in- 
terest himself in the affairs of the Ancient Free 
& Accepted M.asons, in which he has attained to 
the Royal Arch degree. He has always been a 
supporter of Democratic principles, and on vari- 
ous occasions has been a delegate, to county and 
State conventions, and a member of the County 
Democratic Committee, of which body he was 
Chairman in 1878. He is a useful citizen and well 
respected. 



11^^ 



OA. BYINGTON is a member of the well- 
known law firm of IJiaillej- iVr Byiugton, 
Iowa City, and from his earliest j'ears his 
history has been ine.xtricably interwoven with the 
history of Johnson County. His birth occurred 
on the old homestead adjoining Iowa City, Decem- 
ber 1, 1859, and of six children he was the lifth 
born to Le Grand and Mary (McCollister) Bying- 
ton. The father of our subject was a native of 
New Haven County, Conn., and the youngest of a 
family of eight children. His paternal ancestors 
emigrated from Yorkshire, England, settling in 
Mas-sachusetts in 1638, while on the maternal side 
bis ancestors were also English, and settlers of Say- 
brook, Conn., as early as 1635. 

In 1815 the father married Miss Mary McCol- 
lister, and soon after made three separate journeys 
to Iowa Territory, preparatory to removing to this 
locality. Having firmly determined to quit the 
law practice, which he had always disliked, he con- 
cluded to become a practical farmer, and in 1849 
built the residence near Iowa City, where his fam- 
ily have since resided, and for the following twelve 
years he improved and man.aged three large farms 
in this county and conducted an extensive real- 



estate business. In 1852 he imported the first pair 
of thoroughbred Shorthorn and Hereford cattle 
ever seen west of the Mississippi — the pioneers of 
the present great herds in Iowa. During this 
period he also brought the County Agricultural 
Society into prosperous existence, helped to organ- 
ize the State Society, and also the Rock Island 
Railroad. In 1860 he visited Ohio, and from 
there accompanie<l Stephen A. Douglas on his 
celebrated Presidential stumping-tour through the 
West. He did his utmost to avert the war among 
the States, openly denouncing it as unnecessary, 
and as a conspiracy of sectional political leaders, 
and refusing to participate therein, though strongly 
importuned to do so. When hostilities actually 
opened he transferred his realty, comprising thirty 
thousand acres, in thirty-one counties, to his four 
sons and suspended active business during the 
struggle. For over forty years he has been a 
prominent citizen and is known through all por- 
tions of the State, for he has been an active poli- 
ticau, and has become famous in many controver- 
sies of national importance. The mother of our 
subject was a daughter of Charles and Mary Mc- 
Collister, was of Scotch descent, and was born in 
Pike County, Ohio, in 1826. 

O. A. Byiugton, the subject of this sketch, passed 
his youth on his father's farm, and attended the 
citj- schools, afterward entering the State Uni- 
versity, from which he graduated in June, 1880, in 
the classical course, and from the legal depart- 
ment in the following year. In the fall of 1881, 
he commenced practice, and in 1886 was elected 
Count}' Superintendent of Schools for the term of 
two years, being re-elected to that position and 
serving very acceptably for four years altogether. 
Retiring from his official duties, he at once formed 
a co-iiartnership with Stephen Bradley, under the 
firm name of Bradley & Byiugton, which is still 
in existence. They do a general law business, and 
are well known and firmly established in the pro- 
fession, jiracticing in the local. State and Supreme 
Courts. 

On the 1st of June, 1887, a marriage ceremoii}' 
united the fortunes of our subject and Miss Frances 
Bremner, of iNfarshalltown, Iowa. She is a daugh- 
ter of William and Kate liremner, ()ld and respected 



258 



i-OETEAlT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECOED. 



residents of Iowa. The home of our subject and 
his wife is at No. 313 Iowa Avenue, and there the 
latter dispenses a gracious hospitality with rare 
tact and grace. In his political affiliations, Mr. 
Byington is a stanch Democrat, taking an active 
part in all matters of local and county moment, 
and watching with clear judgment everything per- 
taining to the advancement and welfare of his 
part^'. He is one of the public-spirited citizens 
who have always shown the greatest faith in the 
idtimate prosperity and high culture of this beauti- 
ful Western city. 



■li OHN L. WALDRON is now retired from the 
active duties of farm life, making his home 
in Iowa City, where he expects to spend 
t^i/^ his remaining days. lie is one of the worthy 
pioneers who have helped to make Johnson County 
one of the foremost in this great commonwcaltii. 
In the early days he suffered almost untold hard- 
ships, which, however, rarely daunted him, but 
which he overcame one by one as they presented 
themselves. His ancestors also took a prominent 
part in the early history and development of this 
country. His grandfather, Samuel Waldron, was 
one of the loyal patriots who took up arms in de- 
fense of the Colonies against the tyrannies of the 
Mother Country. He lived to the advanced age of 
ninety-six years, and was the sixth generation re- 
moved from one Byron Van Waldron, who emi- 
grated from Holland about 1640 to this land of lib- 
erty, right and justice. A house which he erected in 
New York soon after his arrival remained stand- 
ing until 1874, and some of the material of which 
it was composed was bought from Holland. This 
ancestor, it is said, had the honor of naming tlie 
Harlem River, which he called from his old home 
in the Fatherland. 

The parents of our subject were John and Maria 
(Lindsay) Waldron, the former born in New Jer- 
sey in 1795, and the latter a native of the Emer- 
ald Isle. They had a family of eight children, of 



whom our subject is the sixth child. He was born 
in Butler County, Pa., in 1818 and grew to mature 
years in the place of his birth. At the age of 
eighteen he went to Pittsburg, where he served an 
apprenticeship in carpentering, remaining in that 
city for nine years. 

In 1844 Mr. Waldron married Isabel, daughter 
of George Stewart, both natives of Pennsylvania. 
In the spring of 1849 he returned to his old home 
iu Butler County, where he engaged in farming 
for .five years. In the spring of 1855, coining to 
Iowa, he located in Johnson County, on the farm 
which he still owns in Pleasant Valle}' Township. 
For about one year lie worked almost continuously 
at his trade, after which he devoted liimself exclus- 
ively to farming. 

In the severe winter of 1856 he had a terrible 
experience, one which luckily comes to few men, 
even to the pioneers, whose lot is usually one of 
extreme hardship. On the 21st of December, while 
on his way home from church with his young wife 
and son, they were caught in one of the terrible 
blizzards which sweep down from the Northwest. 
Though only three miles from home, so dense was 
the storm and so dark did the atmosphere become, 
thattliey lost their way. It was impossible to draw 
the wagon through the increasing snowdrifts, and at 
last, in desperation, Mr. Waldron unhitched his team 
and assisted his wife and son upon the animals. 
They endeavored bravely to find their home or to 
arrive at some place of shelter, but the wife was 
soon overcome by the bitter cold and was frozen to 
death. The son, who was about twelve years of 
age, also met the same fate. So badly was our sub- 
ject frozen that part of one foot and one ear had to 
t)e amputated. His four young children were thus 
early bereft of a loving and tender mother. Julia, 
who is still living, is the wife of William Wirtz, of 
Cedar County; Ledro R. is deceased; Lewis K. is 
engaged in the drug business in Chicago; and Lina 
is the wife of Jesse Cozine. 

In 1860 Mr. Waldron married Miss Julia Kelly, 
who was a faithful companion and mother to his 
little children. They had three children of their 
own: AVinfleld C, who is carrying on the old 
home farm; Ella, who became the wife of Edward 
Whiting, a son of cx-Gov. Whiting, of this State; 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



259 



and Vernon, who is a druggist in San Francisco, 
Cal. Mr. and Mrs. Waldron are consistent mem- 
bers of the Presbyterian Church, and since the or- 
ganization of the Republican party, our subject 
lias been a stanch supporter of tlie same. Prior to 
the war lie was a lo^-al Whig and has alwa\-s been 
numbered among the patriotic citizens and up- 
riglit men of the community in which he has made 
his home. 



l-^^-^ 



R.S. ELLEN E. (BRIXTON) HARRIS, an 
able and enterprising lady now residing 
at No. 11 College Street, Iowa Cit}', is 
one of the pioneer settlers of the Slate, 
and was but a girl thirteen years of age when she 
came from her Eastern home to the then Far West. 
Our subject was born in Knox County, Ohio, Jan- 
nary 12, 1837, and is the daughter of John W. 
Britton, a native of Pennsylvania, who was born 
in 1!S07. He was reared in Ohio, and was married 
there in 1831 to Miss Sarah Minteer, born in Har- 
rison Count}', Ohio, in 1812, and a descendant of 
Scotch ancestry. Mr. Britton and his family came to 
Johnson County, Iowa, in 1850, and located upon 
a farm in Union Township, where he lived twenty- 
five years, when he removed to Union County, 
there passing away mourned by a large circle of 
old-time friends and acquaintances. He was a 
man of genuine worth of character and was highly 
esteemed by all who knew him. Mrs. Britton sur- 
viving her husband, now lives with Mrs. Harris, 
and is numbered among the old pioneer settlers of 
Johnson Count}-. 

Mr. and Mrs. Britton were the parents of five 
children, two of whom died in infancj'; William re- 
sides at Thornburgh, Iowa; and James li. is located 
in Kansas City. Mrs. Harris is the third child in 
order of birth, and remained at home with her 
parents until her marriage with Mr. Phineas Har- 
ris in 1854. Mr. Harris was born in Wayne 
County, I nd., March 1, 1829, and was but eight 
years of age when he came witli iiis parents to 



Johnson County, where they were among the old- 
est settlers, arriving in 1837. They bought land 
from the Government, and settled among the In- 
dians, whom they found peaceful and inoffensive. 
After the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Harris, they lo- 
cated in AVashington Township upon a farm, 
which they afterward sold, then buying a home in 
Union Township, of the same county. Upon this 
last farm they remained engaged in general agri- 
culture until tlie latter part of 1805, and in 1866 
came to Iowa City, where Mr. Harris profitably en- 
tered into the stock and real-estate business. In 
1877 the}' again made their home upon their valu- 
able farm, and were permanently settled in Union 
Township until the death of Mr. Harris, in 1881. 
The husband of our subject was a man of excellent 
principles, and was highly esteemed by the general 
public. He was a strong Republican, but, never 
aspiring to political office, was content to do his 
full duty as a true American citizen at the polls. 
He took a deep interest in local and national is- 
sues, and in all matters pertaining to the public 
welfare was ever found upon the side of progress 
and reform. 

After the death of Mr. Harris, our subject took 
charge of the property, and now rents the highly im- 
proved farm of three hundred and ten acres. Jlrs. 
Harris also owns a pleasant and commodious resi- 
dence at No. 11 College Street, where she has been 
keeping boarders the last six years. Her beloved 
mother finds her pleasure in the society of her 
only daughter, with whom she is now passing the 
evening of her days. A genuine Western i)ioneer, 
closely associated with tlie growth and upward 
progress of Johnson County, Mrs. Harris is a 
worthy type of the intelligent, earnest, self-reliant 
and enterpiising women of America, who, equal 
to all emergencies of life, win their way to assured 
success, and enjoy the prosperity to which their 
courageous and honorable efforts so justly entitle 
them. A constant eye-witness of the remarkable 
changes of her present locality for over two-score 
years, our subject has made a wide actjuaintance, 
and taking an active part in social and benevolent 
enterprise, possesses the sincere regard of a host of 
old friends, tried and true. A lady of close ob- 
servation and retentive memory, Mrs. Harris is 



260 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



thoroughly posted in the history of the early days 
of Johnson County, and has a store of vivid and 
interesting reminiscence of pioneer enterprise, pri- 
vations and final successes, which graphically 
illustrate tiie indomitable will and heroic resolu- 
tion of the early dwellers in the State of Iowa. 



L-^^HOMAS BOYLE, the popular Sheriff of 
u(F\\ If^^'''' Count}-, Iowa, though boin in County 
^^^1 Louth, Ireland, April 10, 1830, has resided 
here since 1851, and the confidence which tlie 
people have in him is therefore intelligently placed, 
for daring this long term of years they have had 
every opportunity to judge of his character and 
qualifications. His father, Peter Boyle, was boin 
in the same county as himself, and after farming 
there until 1834, he, with his wife and ten chil- 
dren, left the Isle of Erin to seek home, friends 
and fortune in "free America." They took pas- 
sage on the sailing-vessel "Constellation" from 
Warren's Point, and landed at the city of New York, 
notwithstanding the fact that their vessel was at 
one time struck by lightning and was also slightly 
disabled by an iceberg. Tlie family settled in 
Chillicothe, Ohio, and there the father resided un- 
til he came to Iowa to join his son, the subject of 
this sketch, with whom he made his home until his 
death, at the age of ninety-three years and eight 
months. His wife, Rosaniia McGee, also died at 
the home of her son Thomas, when seventy-three 
years old. Both parents were members of the Cath- 
olic Church. Eight of tlieir ten children grew to 
maturity and five are living at the present time. 

Thomas Boyle was next to the youngest of his 
parents' children, and his first recollections are of 
landing at New York and of the cit^' of Chillicothe. 
He was reared on the banks of the Scioto, adjoin- 
ing the city, and when a small lad of six years be- 
gan to assist in the support of the family by driv- 
ing a horse on the farm. He labored thus on the 
farm during the summer and in a slaughter-house 
during the winters, and had no opportunity of ob- 



taining an education, his entire amount of school- 
ing being less tlian three months. At the age of 
fifteen ^^ears he was capable of doing a man 's 
work. In 1847, he volunteered for the Mexican 
War, as a member of Company K, Second Regi- 
ment Ohio Infantry, under Col. William Irwin, 
being mustered in at Cincinnati and sent to New 
Orleans, and thence to Vera Cruz, whence he was 
compelled to inarch three hundred miles to the 
foot of old Popocatapetl, near the city of Mexico. 
They found that that city had been captured, but 
they continued to remain in the country until 
,Iune, 1848, when peace was declared and they re- 
turned to Cincinnati, where they were mustered 
out of the service. 

In 1849, Mr. Boyle came AVest to lay his own 
land warrant, the journey being made ou horse- 
back from Burlington, and as there were no 
bridges he forded the streams by swimming his 
horse. He entered the southwest quarter of sec- 
tion 5, township 78, range 9, on which he at once 
began the erection of a log house. He broke some 
land with a yoke of oxen, raised a crop that year, 
and in the spring brought his father's famil}' here 
from Burlington. At that time there were only 
two tax-p.ayers in the township. He improved his 
land, began raising stock, and by additional pur- 
chase has become the owner of three hundred and 
fifty-five acres of as fine land as there is in the 
county, all of which is under cultivation and fenced, 
and on which is a good frame farm house. Not- 
withstanding the fact that he had few advantages 
in his youth, he was at once recognized .as a man 
of intelligence, and for about fifteen yeais he held 
the office of Justice of the Peace. Through his 
instrumentality the mail route to Ilolbrook and 
postofflce at that place were established and he be- 
came the first Postmaster. In an early day he 
hunted considerably and shot a number of deer 
and wolves. The Boyle School House is on his 
farm, also the Ilolbrook Postofflce and St. Mich- 
ael's Church and parsonage, which were erected 
principally by fifteen men. 

In the fall of 1891, Mr. Boyle was elected to the 
position of County Sheriff on the Democratic ticket 
and on the 1st of January, 1892, moved to Mar- 
enaro, where his home will continue to be until the 




Si i-;otjN HqTZ- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



263 



expiration of his term of office, January 1, 1894. 
He W.1S married in this county in St. Michael's 
Church in 1856, to Miss Ann Carney, who was 
born in County Wicklow, Ireland, and came to 
Iowa in 1855. They have four children living. 
Bridget, Mrs. Welsh, resides on the home farm; 
Josephine also makes her liorae there; Annie, Mrs. 
Driscoll, resides in this county, and Mary makes 
her home with her parents. 

Mr. Boyle has taken a very active interest in 
tlie progress and development of the county, 
especially his portion of it, and it w.as largely 
through his efforts that the Boyle school was estab- 
lished, for which he generously donated the land. 
He was exceptionally liberal in his contributions 
to the church of St. Michael and for the erection 
of the parsonage. He has held various township 
otHces, has been a frequejit delegate to county and 
State conventions and has been a grand and petit 
juror. He is one of the honored old pioneers of 
the county, and his genial and cordial manners 
and natural kindness of heart have won him the 
good-will of all with whom he has come in contact. 
He is a capable and popular otticial and has proved 
himself to be the right man in the right place. 



^^ 



•% ••* > - «•■ iy) ;^ 



IMEON HOTZ, deceased, who came to Iowa 
City more than two-score years ago, and 
aii intelligent, energetic and enterprising 
young man, became one of the leading pio- 
neer business men of the flourishing young citj', and 
will long live in the hearts of a host of old-time 
friends, by whom he was highly esteemed for his 
genial kindliness and steiling integrity- of charac- 
ter. Mr. Hotz was a native of Germany, and was 
born in Feutzen-Baden, February 18, 1819. Reared 
and educated in his native land, he attained to 
manhood, and having long recognized the oppor- 
tunities offered by American citizenship, resolved 
to tty his fortune in the nation beyond the sea. 
and safely- crossing the broad Atlantic, soon made 
his way to Johnson County, Iowa, and, locating in 

12 



Iowa City, almost immediately engaged in the 
shoe business. He was a shoemaker by trade, and 
was successful in his first venture in the United 
States, remaining for some time in the business; 
be later engaged extensively in the grocery trade, 
handling a large stock of goods, and by his excel- 
lent man.agement rapidly increasing his custom, 
and enjoying a continued prosperity, won by his 
persistent efforts and unvarying industry. 

Our subject finally forsook the grocery line, and 
in company' with his son-in-law, Anton Geiger, 
erected a substantial and commodious brewery, 
which they successfully and most profitably con- 
ducted many years. Financially prospered, and 
through his own self-reliant efforts having won a 
competence, Mr. Hotz was ever generous to those 
less fortunate, and liberally responded to appeals 
in behalf of both social and benevolent enterprise. 
He was never .anxious for political preferment, but 
gave to the public affairs of his adopted country 
intelligent consideration, and cast his vote for the 
man he thought best adapted to the requirements 
of official life. His estimable wife, whom he wed- 
ded in Iowa City, was Mrs. Barbara (Becker) Will- 
iams, and when Mr. Hotz made her acquaintance 
was the widow of George Williams, one of 
the very early settlers of Iowa. Mrs. Hotz is a 
native of Bavaria, German}', and by the early 
death of her parents became the ward of her uncle, 
with whom she came to America. Her first home 
in the United States was in Louisville, Ky., and 
from that city she afterward journeyed to St. 
Louis, Mo., where she resided for some time. Af- 
ter her union with George Williams, she accom- 
panied him in 1840 to their future home in Iowa 
City, then in its infancy, but with promise of fu- 
ture growth and importance. 

By her first marriage, Mrs. Hotz had four chil- 
dren, and her union with Simeon Hotz was blessed 
by the birth of eight intelligent and promising 
children, the seven now surviving occupying 
prominent positions of influence and usefulness: 
Caroline is the wife of Herman A. Stub, of Iowa 
Cit}'; Anna is the wife of C. Graf; Ella M. is the 
widow of F. J. Ries; Julia is the widow of Charles 
H. Murray, of Cedar Rapids; Clara is tlie widow 
of Anton Geiger; Elizabeth is the wife of M. J. 



264 



PORTRAIT AND BIOCVRAPIllCAL RECORD 



O'Brien; and George is a resident of Cedar Rap- 
ids, and a successful business man. 

A man of fine business attainments and wise 
judgment, and ever ably assisting in matters of lo- 
cal enterprise and improvement, Mr. Hotz lias al- 
ways been numbered among the substantial and 
public-spirited citizens of the State, and his death, 
which occurred November 6, 1881, was mourned in 
Iowa City as a loss to the entire community. Leav- 
ing to his worth3' wife and family an abundance 
of this world's goods, he also bequeathed to them 
the record of his upright and honorable life, his 
entire career as a friend and citizen having been 
uutarnislied by dishonest word or deed. 



€^^il-^i"i^liS 



,ANIEL F. RO(iERS. Among the promi- 
nent and leading pioneers and agricul- 
turists of .lohnson County w-ho are se- 
lected for representation in this work, it 
is a pleasure to present the worthy subject of this 
sketch, for his career has been so upright in every 
worthy particular, and he has been so prominently 
connected with building on a solid foundation the 
agricultural prosperity' of the county, that to leave 
liis name out of this volume would be like the play 
of Hamlet with Hamlet left out. He owes his na- 
tivity to Cattaraugus County, N. Y., where he was 
born October 15, 1833. his parents being Henry 
and Mariah (Freeman) Rogers, who were born 
near the town of Stafford, Conn., March 21, 1803, 
and Onondaga County, N. Y., Januaiy 1, 1805, 
respectively. The paternal grandfather was Ne- 
hemiah Rogers, who was born in Stafford, Conn., 
and in all probability was of English descent, his 
ancestors having located in New England during 
Colonial days. He was a pit-coal burner and fur- 
nace laborer in Connecticut, but in 1816 he settled 
on the Genesee River, in New York, and a little 
later in Cattaraugus County, near tlie town of 
Franklinville, where he bought land and developed 
a farm. He died when about seventy-nine years 
of age, and his wife at the age of eighty-nine. 



They became the parents of nine children, all 
of whom reached maturity and reared families 
of their own. In religious belief they were Uni- 
versalists. 

From tlie time Henry Rogers was large enough 
he was recpiired to add his time and strength to 
the work of the farm, and although he learned to 
be a good carpenter and joiner, he always gave his 
time to tilling the soil. At the age of seven \-ears 
his wife was taken to Genesee County' by her par- 
ents, who settled near Batavia, where she grew to 
womanhood. She married Mr. Rogers in 1824, their 
union resulting in the birth of seven children: 
Hannah M. (deceased), AV^ashington N., Henry D., 
Daniel F., Wilber L., Ellen E. and Mary A. In 
1834 Mr. and Mrs. Rogers removed with their 
family to Erie Count}', Pa., and two >ears later to 
Sandusky Count}', Ohio, by wagon, and in tiie 
spring of 1839 to Knox County, 111., with a ma- 
ternal uncle of Mr. Rogers, and although it was 
their intention to permanently locate there, thej' 
changed their minds and came to Johnson County, 
Iowa, in the springof 1840, reacliing their destina- 
tion on tlie 28th of May. These changes uf loca- 
tion were all made l)y wagon. 

^Ir. Rogers squatted on a tract of land which, 
when it came to be surveyed, lay within Ijotli 
Johnson and AVashington Counties. As soon as 
possible the father built a log cabin, in the con- 
struction of which not a board was used, and un- 
til this could be accomplished, his family, which 
consisted of his wife and five children, slept in the 
wagon bed and in a little shanty constructed of 
bark peeled liy the Indians and used by them in 
making sheds. During the time that the bark 
shanty afforded them some slight protection from 
the weather, they killed thirteen large rattlesnakes 
within a few feet of their camp lire. The settlers 
were very few at that time and were scattered 
along English River and Old Man's Creek. In- 
dians, however, made up for the lack of whites, for 
they were very plentiful, and during the winter 
of 1842-43, which was considered the hardest 
winter ever known here, one thousand Black 
Hawks caini)cd on Englisli River not ver}' far 
above Mr. Roger's place. Deer were numerous 
and wolves abundant, and the latter would often 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



265 



come howling around the cabin at night and 
would light with the dogs in the yard. All the 
maikcting and trading were done at Burlington 
and Muscatine, and a few times he was compelled 
to go as far as Keokuk. The streams had to be 
forded, and as the roads consisted of Indian trails, 
the journey usually occupied about a week. 

Mr. Rogers owned about one thousand acres of 
land at one time, but sold off tlie most of it. He 
was a hard worker, and although he was compelled 
to undergo many privations at first, he kept per- 
sistently at work, and in time became well-to-do. 
He at first resorted to the old-time mortar for 
grinding his corn into meal, but later he went 
down on Skunk River to mill. Ho removed to 
Keokuk Count}', Iowa, in 1870, and about three 
years prior to his death, which occurred January 
31, 1888, he removed to Nebraska, and is buried 
near Beatrice, in that State. His wife had died 
September 8, 1867. The}- were both Universalists 
in religious belief, and he was first a Whig and 
later a Republican in politics. 

Daniel F. Rogers was in his seventh year when 
he came to this section, and can well remember 
many of the incidents of the journey. His first 
knowledge of books was acquired in an old log 
schoolhouse which was furnished in the rudest 
manner, and presided over by an old Englishman. 
The scholars were not allowed a recess then as 
now, but would raise their hand and ask permis- 
sion to go out. Only one was allowed out at a 
time, and on the old wooden door hung a paddle, 
on one side of which was printed "out" and on 
the other "in." A scholar going out would turn 
the side with "out" on it to the school, and on com- 
ing in would reverse it. All the schools in those 
days were conducted on the sul)scri[)tion plan. 
AVhen sixteen years old, Daniel F. attended a pri- 
vate school in Iowa City one winter, and in the win- 
ter of 18.57-.')8 he taught school in his own district. 
He made his home with his father until his mar- 
riage, April 23, 1859, to Malinda Tolbert, wlio was 
born in Boone County, Ind., in 1833. 

To our subject and his wife the following chil- 
dren were born: Mary (deceased), Albert II., Will- 
iam F. and Ellen S. He has lesided on his pres- 
ent farm since his marriage, and all the improve- 



ments have been made through his own industry 
and determined efforts. A great deal of his at- 
tention has been given to the raising of swine, in 
which branch of his business he has made a great 
deal of money. He has a good farm of one hun- 
dred and twent}' acres, all under cultivation, and 
ten acres of heavy timberland. He built a com- 
modious and handsome frame residence in 1881, 
in which he and his family now reside. June 1, 
1873, his wife was called to her long home, and on 
the 15th of March, 1877, Miss Isabelle A. Beck, a 
native of Augusta County, Va., became his second 
wife, but only lived until the 21st of November, 
1884. Mr. Rogers is very liberal in his religious 
views, and is not a member of any church. He 
has always been a su|)porter of Republican princi- 
ples, and has held nearly all the township ofWces, 
but although elected to the office of Justice of the 
Peace several times, would never qualify. He is 
one of the old landmarks of the county, is widely 
known, and wherever known is respected as a man 
of honor and as an upright and law-abiding citi- 
zen. He is an extensive reader, and is well posted 
on all matter of general importance, and is in favor 
of every progressive movement. 



/^EORGE W. LEWIS, Vice-President of the 
[ij (=^ Citizens' Savings & Trust Company, is one 
^^^JiJI of the well-known business men and pros- 
perous residents of Iowa City. He has held the 
aforesaid position for four years, discharging his 
duties with fidelitj', and thereby winning the con- 
fidence and the merited commendation of tlie Di- 
rectors. Mr. Lewis was born in Oneida County, 
N. Y., on the lltli of January, 1842, and is the son 
of L. P. and Lydia (Griffith) Lewis, the former a 
prominent and influential citizen of that count3^ 
He was born in North Wales, and crossed the At- 
lantic with his parents to seek his fortune in the 
United States at the age of fourteen years. Land- 
ing in New York he resided in the city with his par- 



266 



PORTEAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



ents till he was about twenty 3'ears old. He tben 
moved to Oneida County, N. Y., and settled on 
some land and engaged in agricultural pursuits, 
being an active man until called from this life in 
the year 1856. Our subject's mother was born in 
Oueida County, N. Y., and after her husband's 
death came to Iowa City, where her death occurred 
in 1875, at which time she had i-eached the good 
old age of seventy-seven j-ears. She was the daugh- 
ter of Owen Griffith, and by her marriage became 
the mother of seven children, of whom our subject 
is the youngest. 

George W. Lewis passed his boj'hood on his 
father's farm in Oneida County, and received such 
education as could be obtained in the common 
schools of the neighborhood. He was industrious 
and studious beyond his years, and at the age of 
eighteen commenced teaching school, in which vo- 
cation he was quite successful. In the spring of 
1861, he was among the first to don the blue and 
enter the service of his country. He became a 
member of Company E, Fourteenth New York In- 
fantr}'. Col. James McQuade commander of tlie 
regiment. With his company he participated in 
the Chickahominy campaign, in Virginia, and took 
part in all the engagements up to the battle of An- 
tietara,when he received a discharge on account of 
sickness, having, however, served all but four 
mouths of his two years' term of enlistment. Re- 
turning to the old home which was his birthplace 
he remained there for a short time to regain 
his former health, and in the fall of 1863 came to 
Iowa City, where he embarked in the grocery busi- 
ness in the capacit}- of a clerk, and was with one 
firm for four years. He then formed a partnership 
with his brother Charles, under the firm name of 
Lewis Bros., which concern continued to do busi- 
ness from 1868 to 1876, when our subject purchased 
his brother's interest and has since continued in 
business alone up to the present time, carrying a 
full line of staple and fancy groceries, his store be- 
ing situated on Clinton Street. 

In October, 1874, Mr. Lewis and Miss Anna Gan- 
son, of Ypsilanti, Mich., were united in marriage. 
Mrs. Lewis was born in New York State, and was 
a daughter of Cornelius Ganson. She was called 
from tlie shores of time to her eternal iiome in May 



1877, leaving one son, Hugh S. In 1884, oursub- 
ject was elected Vice-President of the Iowa City 
National Bank, in which capacity he acted for six 
years, and for the past four years has been Vice- 
President of the Citizens' Savings & Trust Co. He 
is also President of the Old Capitol Social Club 
of this city, and is a prominent Mason, having at- 
tained to the Thirty-second Degree in .Scottish 
Rite Masonry and having been Eminent Com- 
mander of Palestine Commaudery at Iowa City 
two 3'ears. He is also a member of the M^'stic 
Shrine, and holds membership with Iowa City Post, 
G. A. R. He is recognized as a man of good busi- 
ness ability and has been very successful in his 
various undertakings. Personally, he is held in 
the highest regard and is widely and favorably 
known. In politics he is a stanch Republican, and 
is influential in the ranks of his part}' in this 
county. 



lEUT. DAVID D. FICKES. The biography 
of our subject condensed in a single defi- 
nition is: a heroic soldier, model farmer, 
exemplary citizen and courteous gentleman. Lieut. 
Fickes resides on section 16, AYest Lucas Township, 
Johnson Count}', Iowa, and was born in Adams 
County, Pa., August 3, 1838, being the son of 
Josiah Fickes and grandson of Daniel Fickes, both 
natives of the same county as our subject, and of 
German descent. The mother of our subject, Eliza- 
beth A. Demaree, a native of Pennsylvania, of 
French descent, was the daughter of David Dema- 
ree, a native of France, who came to this country 
when a lad. 

The parents of our subject were married in 
Pennsylvania, and located at once on a farm, where 
they lived many years, and finally died in Frank- 
lin County, Pa., each about seventy-eight years 
old. They had been the parents of ten children, 
evenly divided as to sex, nine of whom are living, 
namely: Lieut. Fickes, the eldest son; Sidonia, 



PORTRAIT AND lUOGGAPHICAL RECORD. 



267 



wife of Cliarles Kyner, of Wilson, Kan.; Anna M., 
wife of Jauies McCla}-, of Franklin County, Pa.; 
Calvin M., of Franklin County, Pa.; William L., of 
Chicago; Mary R., wife of Chalmers McCullough, 
of Franklin County, Pa.; Martha E., wife of 
Thomas .Tefferson McCullough, of P'ranklin Count}', 
Pa.; John A., of San Francisco; and Alberta J., 
wife of Elias Walter, of Piatt County, 111. The 
two last named are twins. 

Our subject was reared in his native [ilace, re- 
ceiving instruction in the common schools of the 
district, and then attending the academy at Hun- 
terstowu, leaving home in 1859 for Clay County, 
111., where he taught school one winter. In 1860 
he went to Pike's Peak, in the mining country, 
by way of Denver and the South Platte River; he 
was gone six months, when he returned to Illinois 
and taught school in .Jefferson County. Going back 
to Pennsylvania, he enlisted, August 9, 1862, in 
Company II, One Hundred and Twenty-sixth Penn- 
sylvania Infantrj', served nine months and was 
then discharged. He re-enlisted in the Signal 
Corps as a private, February 5, 1864, and was 
discharged October 10, 1864, at Martinsburgh, 
W. \'a., by Special Order No. 305, War Depart- 
ment, Adjutant-General's Office, to serve as First 
Lieutenant in Company D, Twenty-ninth United 
States Colored Infantry, and was finall}' discharged 
November 6, 1865, at Brownsville, Tex. 

Lieut. Fickes was in the battles of Second Bull 
Run, Antietara, South Mountain, P^redericksburgh, 
Chanccllorsville, Winchester, and man}- other bat- 
tles, and was present at the fall of Richmond and 
the surrender at Appomattox. After the war he 
changed his place of residence several times be- 
fore becoming permanently established, going first 
to Franklin Count}', Pa., and thence to Jowa, in 
1866; to Virginia in 1867, where he remained un- 
til May 21, 1868; thence to Pennsylvania, where 
he farmed for seven years, later returning to Vir- 
ginia, in which State he staj'ed for two j-ears; 
then back to Pennsylvania, where he was engaged 
in farming and merchandising for eight years. 
Finally, in 1885, he came to Johnson County 
and located upon the farm where he now resides. 

Our subject was married May 21, 1868, to Miss 
Carrie Robinson, daughter of Clark and Ilaunah 



(McMaster) Robinson, the father being a native 
of New York and now residing in Iowa City; the 
mother, who was born in Pennsylvania, is dead. 
Lieut, and Mrs. Fickes are the parents of two 
children: Clark R., a civil engineer, attending the 
university; and Josiah B., attending the academy 
at Iowa City. Lieut, and Mrs. Fickes are members 
of the Presbyterian Church, and are mucli inter- 
ested in church work. The political opinions of 
our subject are fixed, he being a very strong Re- 
publican and throwing the entire weight of his in- 
fluence at all elections with that party. He per- 
petuates the memory of that heroic struggle in 
which he bore so brave a part by association with 
Post No. 8, G. A. R., of Iowa City. Mrs. Fickes is 
a member of the Woman's Relief Corps of Iowa 
City. 






eHARLES M. RENO, the able, popular and 
enterprising Mayor of Iowa City, Iowa, has 
with distinguished efficiency and honor oc- 
cupied the Executive Chair of the capital of 
Johnson County and presided with dignity over 
the meetings of the Common Council since 1884, 
with the exception of two years; his re-elections 
to this important office in 1885, '89 and '91, 
clearly indicating the confidence and esteem in 
which he is held by his lellow-eitizens, who thor- 
oughly appreciate his business qualifications, his 
genial courtesy and sterling integritj- of character. 
Our subject is a genuine Western man. A native 
of Iowa City, he was born June 1, 1846, and was 
the eldest son of Morgan and Margaret (Hammer^ 
Reno, early residents of the Hawkeye State, but 
natives of Pennsylvania. The mother was the 
daughter of John Hammer, an energetic man and 
prominent citizen, who removed to Burlington, 
Iowa, when Mrs. Reno was very young. Morgan 
Reno was a man of executive ability and performed 
with faithful fidelity the duties devolving upon 
him in various positions of public office, and en- 
joyed the honor of being the first State Treasurer 



268 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



of Iowa, discharging the duties of that responsible 
position during the j'cars 1846 and 1847. 

In 1849, the father of our subject came to Iowa 
Cit3' and for a time practiced law, but afterward 
was associated with John C. Culbcrtson in the 
private bank of Culbertson & Reno, which closed 
its doors in 1861. Morgan Reno was appointed 
in 1861 Commissary of the Sixth Iowa Cavalry, 
stationed in the Northwest on the frontier, and re- 
mained in militar}' service for three years. At 
the expiration of this time he returned to Iowa 
City, where he engaged in merchandising, con- 
tinuing in business up to the close of his most use- 
ful life. The father of Charles M. died in 1869, 
and passed away mourned by a host of sincere 
friends, his beloved wife still surviving. Our sub- 
ject received his primar3' education in the excel- 
lent public schools of his birthplace, and later at- 
tended the State University, finally taking a com- 
mercial course in the Eastman Business College at 
Chicago. Now, well fitted to enter upon the daily 
work of life, he accepted a position with Calhoun 
& Co., bankers of St. Joseph, Mo., and remained 
with that financial house for six months; then re- 
turning to Iowa City, engaged in the queensware 
business in partnership with his fatlier, and after 
the death of Mr. Reno, Sr., conducted the same 
business until 1877. 

In 1874 Mr. Reno was elected Alderman of the 
Second Ward, and in 1877 was the successful 
candidate of the Democratic party for Count}' 
Treasurer, and served two terms to the great satis- 
faction of the general public. Released from the 
cares of ollicial life, he embarked in the real-estate 
business, prosperously handling valuable cit}' lots 
and outside properly. In 1884, elected Mayor, he 
has through subsequent returns remained the 
Chief Executive of Iowa City the most of the 
time, and since 1889 has continuously presided in 
the Council Chamber. In 1870 Charles M. Reno 
and Miss Hattie A. Hartman, daughter of Sanford 
Hartman, of Rock Island Count}', 111., were united 
in marriage. The}' have four children, two sons 
and two daughters: Morgan C, Sanford H., Gail 
and Margia, all at home. Our subject and his es- 
timable wife are valued members of the Episcopal 
Church and are foremost in the promotion and 



extension of the good works of that religious de- 
nomination. Their attractive home at No. 530 
Church Street is the scene of many a brilliant 
gathering and the abode of genuine hospitality. 
Politically, our subject is a thorough Democrat 
and a believer in the precepts and principles of 
the immortal Thomas Jefferson. Prominent in the 
councils of his party, he is the Chairman of the 
Johnson County Democratic Central Committee, 
and through his energetic measures and excellent 
judgment has aided in the triumphs which have 
crowned the Democratic banners with victory. As 
Mayor of Iowa City, Charles M. Reno has made 
no enemies but many friends, the opposing parties, 
regardless of political considerations, conceding 
that his public service is absolutely beyond reproach, 
and that in all matters pertaining to the general 
good Mayor Reno does his full duty, regardless of 
comment or undeserved censure. Since the begin- 
ning of his administration, Iowa City enjoys 
the benefit of well-lighted streets which, properly 
sewered and thoroughly cleaned, make the capital 
city of Johnson County one of the most desirable 
places of residence in the State and commend it to 
the high consideration of business enterprise. 
Growing up among the familiar associations of 
boyliood Mayor Reno is well known to almost 
every dweller within his home county and is not 
only respected and honored liy the general public, 
but is held in affectionate remembrance by the 
friends of his early youth. 



i>-^^<i 



'Ip^ EV. EDWARD N. BARRETT, D. D., the 
able and eloquent pastor of the Presbyte- 
rian Church of Iowa City, has since 1888 
'^^ had charge of one of the largest and most 
intelligent congregations in Johnson County, 
Iowa, and in the faithful and untiring discharge of 
his ministerial duties has accom|jlished much of 
good and wortliily gained the confidence and es- 
teem of all tlie members of his flock and the re- 
spect of the general public. Our subject was born 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



269 



near Cleveland, Ohio, March 4, 1843, and was the 
second born and eldest son in a family of six chil- 
dien. His father, Rev. Newton Barrett, a Pres- 
byterian minister, is over eighty years of age and 
a native of Woodstock, Conn., and Iras lived to see 
four surviving generations of the Barretts. The 
famih' originally came from England in 1630, 
and were among the sturdy colonists who first set- 
tled upon New England shores. The mother of 
Pvdward N. was in maidenhood JSIiss Emily Bug- 
bee, a most attractive lady and a native of Con- 
necticut, wliere she was reared and educated. Her 
father, Asa Bugbee, w.as a prominent man of 
Woodstock, and w.as highly respected for his ster- 
ling qualities of mind and heart. Rev. Newton Bar- 
rett began his ministerial career in Ohio, and be- 
coming widely known as a powerful divine after- 
ward labored with great success in the pioneer 
fields of Illinois and Wisconsin. His estimable 
wife having passed away in 1889, this venerable 
evangelist now resides with his children. 

Our subject spent the early days of boyhood in 
Ohio, and at thirteen j'ears of age journeyed with 
Ills parents to Illinois, and having received an ex- 
cellent preparatory' education entered Knox Col- 
lege, at Galesburg, in 1862, from which well-known 
institution of learning he graduated with honor 
in 1866, and later taught school at Arlington 
Heights, 111., for one year. In the fall of 1867 he 
began his studies in the Chicago Tiieological Sem- 
inarj', and completing the course, graduated in 
1870. He then accepted a call to a suburban con- 
gregation in Austin, 111., where he had supplied 
the pulpit during his senior year. Successfully 
occupying liis first pulpit until 1876, the Rev. 
Mr. Barrett then took charge of the Westminster 
Chuich, at Chicago, continuing as pastor of the 
same until the close of 1880. Upon January 1, 
1881, he bade adieu to the former scenes of his 
ministerial labors and removed to Waterloo, Iowa, 
there ])reaching regularlj' to a large congregation 
until .lune, 1886. He then went to Independence, 
Iowa, where his residence was shortened by his 
acceptance in August, 1888, of his present pastoral 
charge. While in Independence, Mr. Barrett re- 
ceived the degree of D. 1). from Lenox (Iowa) Col- 
lege in 1887. Among the large and appreciative 



congregation of leading citizens who regularly 
listen to his eloquent and instructive Sabbath dis- 
courses are numerous students from the various 
departments of the State University. 

On September 13, 1870, our subject was first 
united in marriage with Miss Anna S. Moore, of 
Arlington Heights, Chicago. Mrs. Barrett was a 
lady of superior attainments and had graduated 
with honors from Rockford Female Seminar}-, 
afterward completing a musical course in the 
Rockford Conservatory. This estimable wife and 
mother [lassed away in .lanuary, 1879, leaving to 
the care of her bereaved husband four children. 
Albert M. is a student of the Iowa State Univer- 
sity' and will graduate in the Class of '93. Mary 
E. is also successfully pursuing her studies and is 
in the Freshman year of the University. Grace 
A. is in her second year in the High School; and 
Anna M. is also in the High School. Upon Jul}' 
8,1884, the Rev. Edward N.Barrett and Miss 
Hannah P. Gay were married. She was then 
Principal of the Montefiore School, of Chicago. 
Mrs. Barrett is a native of Arlington Heights, Chi- 
cago, where she was born and reared. She is a lad}- 
of a high order of literary ability and has contrib- 
uted various articles of value and interest to lead- 
ing papers and periodicals. She is President of 
the Home Missionary Society of the Presbyterian 
Church of Iowa and, ever active in church work, 
has materially assisted in both social and be- 
nevolent enterprises of religious organizations and 
with her husband has gained a warm place in the 
affections of the people. 

Rev. Edward N. Barrett was Moderator of the 
Synod of Iowa at Burlington in -1890, and during 
his many years' residence in the State hasenjoycrl 
most successful pastorates, invariably winning the 
derserved regard and kindly consideration of all 
with whom he comes in contact. During the 
Civil War our subject entered the service of the 
Government, enlisting in the One Hundred and 
Thirty-seventh Illinois Infantry in 1864 and being 
assigned to garrison duty. For several years he 
was Chaplain of Iowa City Post No. 8, G. A. R. 
Mrs. Barrett is President of the N. N. Club, a lit- 
erary society of Iowa City, and, together, the pas- 
tor and his wife are working for the cause of 



270 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Christ, giving their earnest and devoted effort iu 
behalf of the betterment and final salvation of 
their fellow-men, their daily walk emphasizing the 
eloquent and persuasive words of our reverend 
subject, whose life is consecrated to the absorbing 
duties of his sacred profession. 



ON. LEVI ROBINSON, of the law firm of 
Robinson & Patterson in Iowa City, is one 
of the prominent Republicans and public- 
spirited men of Johnson County and the 
The firm of which he is a member, and 
which is ver}' well known, is the oldest law firm in 
the State of Iowa. Both members of the firm are 
gentlemen of unusual legal talent, wide intelli- 
gence and clear judgment. They have a large and 
lucrative practice .and have long held an enviable 
position among their legal brethren in Iowa. 

Mr. Robinson was born in Vassalboro, Kennebec 
County, Me., on the "iTth of March, 1827. His fa- 
ther, Charles Robinson, was also a native of the 
Pine Tree State and was a large manufacturer and 
leading business man for many j'ears in that re- 
gion. The grandfather of our subject, Joseph 
Robinson, was an extensive farmer and had large 
lumber interests. Much of his time was spent on 
the river in rafting logs. 

Charles Robinson, the father of our subject, was 
a devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church. He tocjk for his wife a lady by the name 
of Elizabeth Pease, also a native of Maine and of 
English descent. She was called from this life 
when only twenty-six years of age, leaving many 
friends who had been won by her womanly charms 
and amiable qualities. The earlier education of 
our subject was acquired in his native town and 
later he attended the Waterville Academy, where 
he prepared for college. He was first enrolled as 
a student in Waterville College, now Colby Uni- 
versity, attending there three years, and then spent \ 
his last year at Dartmouth College, from which in 
stititution heojraduated in 185.'i. Going to Cleve 



land, Ohio, he there engaged in teaching for about 
one year, and in 1854 entered the Alban}' Law 
School, at Albany, N. Y., where he pursued his 
studies successfully and was admitted to the Bar 
in March, 1855. 

On starting out in his legal career, iMr. Robin- 
son concluded to go West to establish himself, and 
therefore, coming to Iowa, located in Iowa Citj'. 
He here entered into partnership with H. M. 
Plaisted, in 1861 formed a law partnership with 
L. B. Patterson, and, though thirty years have 
passed, tliej' are inseparable, each feeling that the 
other is his right-hand man. In 1856. our subject 
was elected Attorney of Johnson County, which 
office he held until the office of District Attorne)- 
was created. For four years he served as United 
States Deputy Collector, and for two years was 
Deputy Assessor of Internal Revenue. Though he 
has been called upon to fill many positions, he has 
ever shown himself faithful and true to the confi- 
dence reposed in him by his constituents and 
friends. 

July 26, 1867, Mr. Robinson and Miss L^'dia A. 
Curtis, of Dexter, Me., were united in marriage. 
The lady was a daughter of Caleb B. Curti.s, who 
was a leading business man in the East. Six chil- 
dren graced the union of Mr. and Mrs. Robinson, 
of whom five are living. The eldest is Mary E., 
wife of Hon. Coe I. Crawford, now Attornej'-Gen- 
eral of South Dakota. Amos Dean, a civil engineer 
in the Government employ is in Idaho. Charles E. is 
deceased. Frank B.,a practicing attorney at Sioux 
City, Iowa. Lavinia C. is a successful teacher in 
the Iowa City Commercial College; and Lydia A. 
is attending the Iowa State University. The fam- 
ily belongs to the Methodist Church. 

Mr. Robinson is a member of Kosciusko Lodge 
No. 186, I. O. O. F., which was named in honor of 
the Polish patriot. He has served as delegate to State 
convocations a number of times in the interest of his 
party. He is recognized as a substantial Repub- 
lican, and his counsel is often sought by the heads 
of the party in the State. For about six years he 
was a member of the Executive Committee of the 
State University of Iowa. His residence is in the 
western portion of the city and is a home of cul- 
ture and lefinemont. Recently he has invested in 




"^ fi 




^M^) 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



273 



a large oatmeal mill, which is yielding him good 
returns. As a lawyer, Mr. Robinson has a broad 
and comprehensive knowledge of the elementar}- 
principles of the law and is recognized as an able 
counselor and always a careful and painstaking 
lawyer, and it can be said of both members of this 
firm that they never indulge in anything having 
the least appearance of chicanery in order to win 
a case, but rely on the facts and the application of 
the law to the points in question. As a chancery 
or equity practitioner our subject takes a leading 
rank among the able lawyers of Iowa. The firm of 
Robinson & Patterson have, during the third of a 
century of their practice, participated in many of 
the most important causes ceh'bre which have shed 
lustre on the jurisprudence of Iowa. 






'^ip=?l LI MYERS was at one time one of thb 
fe) largest land-holders in Johnson County, as 
/ ^' — ^ lie was the possessor of about fifteen hun- 
dred acres of valuable real estate. He was born in 
Preble County, Ohio, September 20, 1813, and 
when he was but a lad his parents removed to and 
settled on a farm near Goshen, Elkhart Count3', 
Ind., and it was there he received a common-school 
education. Fie was the eighth in order of birth in 
a family of eleven children, seven sons and four 
daughters, born to Christopher and Elizabeth 
Myers, the mother being a native of South Caro- 
lina, while the father was of German descent and 
was born in North Carolina. Christopher JMyers 
came to Preble County, Ohio, in 1811, from South 
Carolina. He was a very successful business man 
and accumulated a handsome property. Both 
parents died in Elkhart County, Ind., the father 
in 1856, the mother in 1852. (Jur subject, being 
a man of enterprise and ambition, came West in 
1830, locating in Johnson County, Iowa, and was 
the second white man to settle in the county. He 
took up a large body of land from the Govern- 
ment, and, being thrifty and industrious, was very 
successful and prosperous. Politically, he was a 



Democrat and a firm supporter of the party. He 
ranked high as an adviser in local party affairs, 
and held with elflciency the positions of County 
Commissicmer and Justice of the Peace. In re- 
ligious faith, he was a member of the ITniversalist 
Church, and was a man generous to a marked de- 
gree. His correct principles and honorable and 
upright life won for liiin many warm friends, who 
appreciated his excellent judgment and sterling 
common sense. In 1849, when the "gold fever" 
broke out in California, he was anxious to go, 
but owing to the wishes of Mrs. Myers he de- 
ferred going until the spring of 1850, when he 
fitted out three teams, and with quite a large com- 
pany of others, he made the tedious and long 
overland trip across the plains to California. He 
was recognized as a man of such sound judgment 
that he was selected to take charge of the valua- 
bles of the party, and whenever an}' danger threat- 
ened it was to him that the company looked for 
guidance. They were nearly six months on the 
journey, and had been there only a short time 
when he was taken sick and died, October 23, 1850, 
at Sacramento, Cal. We invite the attention of 
our numerous readers to the portrait of Mr. Myers, 
which is made from a painting done in the spring 
of 1850, shortly before he left for California. 

The marriage of Eli Myers with Miss Sarah A. 
Kidder, was celebrated December 31, 1840, the 
bride being only fifteen years old. Mrs. Myers is 
a native of the Empire State, born in Seneca County, 
September 22, 1825. Her father, John Milton 
Kidder, was born in Vermont in January, 1797, 
and when a young man went to Lodi, N.Y., where 
he was married and remained a few years, then re- 
moving to Pennsylvania and thence to Ohio. 
From that State the family proceeded to Indiana 
and next went to Iowa, locating in the Hawkeye 
State July 1, 1837. They spent the Fourth where 
Tipton now stands, being entertained by a family' 
residing in a little log cabin, 12x13 feet in dimen- 
sions. The cooking was done in a small shed ad- 
joining, and for convenience the table was set out- 
doors, where there was room to gather round the 
festal board. 

Leaving his family in this primitive home in 
the wilderness, Mr. Kidder went on a prospecting 



274 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRArHICAL RECORD. 



tour and locateri a claim about eight miles west of 
the Mississippi, on Cedar River. This homestead 
was situated only eight miles from where the city 
of Muscatine now stands, and for four years the 
family lived literally in the woods, as the only 
road was an almost blind trail. The Indians fre- 
quently called upon the family', who soon learned 
to converse w'ith them a little in their own lan- 
guage. In 1840 they removed to Iowa City, where 
Mr. Kidder built what was called the Washington 
House, which he ran for a. short time, boarding the 
members of the Legislature. In 1854 he departed 
this life in Minnesota, where he had been a resi- 
dent for about five years. He was a man of supe- 
rior ability and upright character, and, a shrewd 
man in business enterprises and a successful one, 
he was highly esteemed by all who liad the pleas- 
ure of his acquaintance. 

The mother of Mrs. Mj'ers, whose maiden name 
was Lydia Kelley, was born in NewJersej'in 1802, 
and moved with her parents to New York in her 
childhood. Her father, Ch.arles Kellej-, was of 
Scotch-Irish descent. Mrs. Kidder was a very 
bright and witty woman and a ladj' of remarka- 
ble memorj'. Mrs. Myers is one of three children 
who lived to mature }'ears. Dorothy J. was mar- 
ried in Iowa, in 184it, to William Sturgis, son of 
Judge .Stuigis, of Sturgis, Mich., and an earl}' set- 
tler of Johnson Count\'; Sarah A. Is the second in 
order of birth; and Elliott J. is a resident of Little 
Falls, Morrison Count}-, Minn. 

Mrs. Myers' advantages for obtaining an edu- 
cation were limited in her girlhood, but her father 
had a good library, and after she and her sister 
exhausted it, she enjoj'ed the great privilege 
of spending as much time as she desired in the ex- 
tensive library- of Dr. Olds, of Muscatine, which 
greatly supplemented her education. She de- 
lighted in books from childhood and has always 
looked upon their pages as upon the face of a 
familiar friend. By her marriage she became the 
mother of six children, three now living. Lj'dia is 
the wife of J. B. Edmonds, of the firm of Edmonds 
ik Ransom, law3'ers formerly of Iowa City, but now 
the}' are residents of Washington, I). C; Mary E. 
is the wife of Prof. G. L. Pinkham, of Miller, 
S. Dak.; and the youngest daughter, Nora A., is 



the wife of E. B. Jones, of the law firm of Jones & 
Schroeder, Salt Lake City, Utah. lone A. died 
in August, 1890, aged thirty-eight years. Mrs. 
Myers has lived in her AVestern home for fifty-five 
years, and has been an eye-witness of the wonder- 
ful changes which the half-century has brought to 
this vicinity. 



1-^+^1 



F. SPECIIT, photographer of .Alarengo, 
Iowa. In few branches of art or science 
have such developments or perfected im- 
provements been made as in photograph}-, 
and no establishment in the State of Iowa shows 
more conclusive proof of this assertion than that 
of which Mr. J. F. Specht is the proprietor. His 
reception rooms are neatly and tastefull}- fitted 
up, and his studio is the most attractive in the 
city. He executes photography in all its branches 
and produces in all his work the best and most 
beautiful effects. It is needless to add that his 
patrons are of the refined and cultivated classes, 
who appreciate art at its true value. He was born 
in West Amana,Iowa County, November 11, 1866, 
a son of Frederick P. and Kathrina (Zuber) Specht, 
the former of whom was born in Strasburg, Alsace, 
France (now Germany), and the latter in Baden, 
Germany. The paternal grandfather, Jacob P. 
Specht, was born in France and kept a meat market 
in Strasburg, but at an early day came to America 
with his family and located near Buffalo, N. Y., 
being a member of the Amana Society tliere. In 
1855 he brought his family to Iowa and located in 
West Amana, being an earnest and devoted mem- 
ber of the Amana Society until his death in 1875. 
He was an intelligent and well-posted man and 
spoke German and French quite fluently. 

Frederick P. Specht was about fourteen years of 
age when he came to America, and in his youth 
became familiar with the tailor's, blacksmith's, 
carpenter's, turner's and tinner's trades, in fact, 
was successful at almost anything to which he 
gave his attention. He was mariied in New York, 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



275 



and in 1855, when the Amana Societ}- removed 
from New York, he came to Iowa with his fa- 
tlier as a member of that society, with which he 
worlted as a tinner. In 1878, with eliaracteristic 
self-reliance and independence he severed liis con- 
nection with the society, and witliont any means 
whatsoever, and at quite an advanced age, he be- 
gan at the bottom of the ladder on a farm in 
Washington Township. After renting for some 
time he purchased one hundred and forty acres of 
improved land,whicli he continued to successfully 
farm until 1892, wlien lie sold his property to his 
son Charles, and now resides in Marengo with his 
son J. F. Politically, he is a Democrat and for 
some time has been a member of the (lerman Lu- 
theran Church. He is a man of much intelligence, 
well posted, and has the respect of all who know 
him, being an honest and law-abiding citizen. The 
maternal grandfather of the subject of this sketch, 
Jacob Zuber, was a farmer and carpenter of Baden, 
Gerraan3', and after coming to America located in 
Ebenezer, N. Y., where he joined the Amana So- 
ciety, and there died. The union of Frederick 
Speclit and wife resulted in the l)irtii of four chil- 
dren: Philip, who is a fanner of West Amana; 
Charles, a farmer of Washington Townshi)); Susie, 
Mrs. James Springer, of Oregon; and J. F., whose 
name heads this sketch. 

J. F. Specht was reared in West Amana and until 
eleven years of age received practical instruction 
in the German language, after which he located 
with his father on a farm in AVashington Town- 
ship, where he onl3' attended two terms at the 
English schools. He lent his strength and j'outh 
to the improvement of his father's farm, and with 
him he faithfully remained until August, 1866, 
when he began the stud}' of photography under 
Frank Alexander, of Marengo, purchasing the es- 
tablishment of the latter in November of the fol- 
lowing j'ear. From a boy he had shown much 
natural talent in drawing and painting, which art 
he, without doubt, inherited from his father, and 
his taste in this direction finally found an outlet 
as a photographer. He has continued the business 
steadily since 1887, has found much pleasure as 
well as profit in this line of work, has attained a 
high standing among the artists of Iowa and has 



become celebrated for securing to sitters before 
the camera a graceful, natural pose and life-like 
and pleasing expression, and in all his work is to 
be seen the master hand of the thoroughly expert 
artist. He began business without a cent, but is now 
well situated and independent financiallj'. His 
work has taken the first premium at the county fairs 
for the last few years and has become well known 
for its fine finish. He is advantageously located 
on the east side of the public square. 

Our subject was marrietl in AVashington Town- 
ship April 23, 1891, to Miss Maiy llaage, who was 
born in Lenox Township, a daughter of Peter 
Haage, a native of Gerinanj'. Upon the removal 
of the latter to America he first resided in Penn- 
sylvania then in Kansas, then in Iowa County, 
Iowa, and is now the owner of a fine farm in 
Lenox Township. He is a Democrat, and he and 
his wife, who was Kate W3'rick, a native of Penn- 
sylvania, are members of the Lutheran and Catho- 
lic Churches, respectivel}'. George Wyrick, the 
father of Mrs. Haage, was an early settler of Iowa 
County but is now residing in White City, Kan. 
Mrs. Specht was the fourth of ten children bom 
to her parents and is the mother of one child, 
Jacob Philip. J. F. Specht and his wife are mem- 
bers of the Lutheran Church, and his support has 
alwaj's been given to the Democratic party, whose 
princiijles he at all times espouses. 



H. WILSON, attorney-at-law of Marengo, 
Iowa. No name is justly entitled to a 
more enviable place in the history of Iowa 
Count}', Iowa, than the one that heads 
this sketch, for it is borne by a man whose abilit}' 
has acquired a high place for him in the legal pro- 
fession. He is a conscientious and earnest advo- 
cate, throws himself heart and soul into the suc- 
cessful conduct of his cases, and never allows the 
interests of his clients to suffer, if earnest research 
and devoted attention can avoid it. He was born 
at Paoli, Orange County, Ind., November 20, 1839, 



276 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



a son of Lewis F. Wilson, wliose native State was 
North Carolina, where he was born January 5, 
1810. When a young man he removed to Indiana, 
and in 1842 to Johnson County, Iowa, but in the 
fall of the following year located on Honey Creek, 
in Iowa County, his brother-in-law, Lewis Lan- 
ning, being the only settler there before him. In 
1844 Mr. Wilson sold his claim and entered one 
hundred and sixty acres of land in Marengo 
Township, three miles west of the town, and added 
to this tract by purchase until he had over four 
hundred acres of fertile and valuable farming land. 
He assisted in the organizing of the county seat, 
was one of the first County Commissioners, and 
assisted in layiag out the town of Marengo. Af- 
ter having been engaged in farming and stock- 
raising, he sold his farm in 1864 and moved to 
near Indianola, Warren County, where he is liv- 
ing on a fine and admirably improved farm of 
one hundred and sixty acres. He has reached the 
advanced age of eighty-three years, and is a Re- 
publican in politics, having been a Democrat prior 
to the organization of that party. His wife, who 
was formerly Miss Malinda Meyers, was born in 
Virginia April 16, 1810, a daughter of George 
Meyers, who was of German descent, a Pennsyl- 
vanian by birth and later a planter of Virginia. 
Mrs. Wilson died on the 3d of September, 1891. 
The paternal grandfather, Robert W. Wilson, was 
of Irish descent and a North Carolinian by birth, 
and in his native State he followed the calling of 
a planter until his death. 

To Lewis F. Wilson and wife a family of nine 
children was born, only four of whom are liv- 
ing at the present time: John A.; David Homer, 
the subject of this sketch; Mary, Mrs. Van Pelt, 
of Indianola. Iowa; and Martha. John A. Wilson 
served throughout the Civil War as a member of 
the Seventh Iowa Regiment, and was wounded by 
a minie-ball at the battle of Resaca, from the ef- 
fects of which he still suffers a great deal. David 
H. Wilson was reared m this eountj' during pio- 
neer times, at which time there were many Indians, 
and he learned to S[)eak their language. His fa- 
ther was acquainted with Poweshiek, the Indian 
Chief. He received no early school advantages, 
and what he knew in the way of books was almost 



wholly self-acquired. At the age of nineteen 
3'ears he entered the preparatory department of 
Cornell College, where he remained until the open- 
ing of the great Civil War, leaving that institu- 
tion in 1861 to enlist in Company K, First Iowa 
Infantry, at Cedar Rapids, he being the first Union 
soldier to enlist from Iowa Countj'. After being 
mustered into the service he was sent South to 
guard a division of the Hannibal & St. Joseph 
Railroad in Missouri, where the "Johnnies" were 
trying to destro}' the bridges and trestlework, and 
the first night he was on guard he captured two 
men. His command joined Gen. L3on after the 
battle of Brownville, then made a forced march to 
Springfield, Mo., accomplishing over fifty miles in 
one day. They outmarched the regulars, and re- 
ceived the sobriquet of the "Normal Grej'hounds." 
After a number of severe engagements they took 
part in the battle of Wilson's Creek, in which 
Mr. Wilson received a slight wound across the 
hand. By this time his term of service had 
ended, and as his clothes were in a most dilapi- 
dated condition he went to St. Louis, where he re- 
mained until he was paid off, the amount which 
he received being $8 per month in gold. He re- 
turned home and followed threshing and attending 
school until 1864, when he volunteered in the 
Tenth Iowa Infantry, and was mustered in at 
Gordonsville as a member of the Fifteenth Army 
Corps, under "Black Jack" Logan, and was in the 
Georgia campaign, during which time he was in 
numerous engagements and skirmishes, and at last 
closed his military career b}' the Grand Review at 
Washington, D. C. 

After his return home he began the study of 
law under Feeiian & Tempins, and upon applica- 
tion was admitted to the Bar of Warren County 
in 1866, but for one year thereafter operated a 
sawmill in Tama County, after which he began the 
practice of law at Marengo, and in 1869 was elected 
to the office of Justice of the Peace, which he filled 
with marked ability for eight years, then declining 
to sei've longer. During the j'ear of 1873 he 
served as Mayor of Marengo. He has a law oflSce 
in the Opera House Building, and if a successful 
general practitioner and has a paying clientage. 
He was married in Newton, Iowa, in 1867, to Miss 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



277 



Martha Bardshear, a native of Licking County, 
Ohio, but educated in Iowa, and to their union 
three children were born: Flora M., who was grad- 
uated from tiie High School of Marengo, and is now 
attending Commercial College in Cedar Rapids; 
Nora A., now Mrs. E. M. House, of Chicago; and 
one that died in infancy. Mr. Wilson is a mem- 
ber of John Dillon Post No. 228, 04. A. R., and 
politically, he belongs to the People's party, and 
has been a delegate to county and State conven- 
tions, and a chairman of the county conventions. 
He is a wide-awake man of affairs, keenly alive to 
the issues of the day, and decidedly public-spir- 
ited and law-abiding. 



■jt'OHN C. ENGELBERT, a prominent and 
I I wealthy grain moichant of Conroy, Iowa 
■^ I Count}', and ex-Sheriff, was born near Chris- 
^^^J tiana, Norway, April 8, 1849. His parents 
were Christopher and Ellen (Helgeson) Engelbert, 
and in a family of ten children he was next to the 
eldest. When he was onlj'' one year old his par- 
ents emigrated to America and settled on a farm 
in La Salle County, 111., near Ottawa, where they 
resided for several years. In 1854, removing to 
Iowa County, the father was one of the first set- 
tlers of Hilton Township. Our subject grew up 
on the homestead farm, receiving but limited 
school privileges and having to go on foot from 
one to three miles for such advantages as he did 
receive. As soon as he was old enough to drive 
an ox-team or assist to any extent, he was ol)liged 
to help carry on the farm, in which occupation he 
continued until 1883. In that year Mr. Engelbert 
was made station agent at Conro}', where he also 
engaged in the grain business, and from 1883 to 
1887 served as Postmaster of Conroy. While a 
resident of that i)lace he was made Assessor of the 
township, and in 1887 was elected Sheriff of Iowa 
County, holding tliat position until January 1, 
1892, when he retired from tlie office and returned 
to his farm near Conrov. Since that time he has 



been largely engaged in the grain business, and in 
the fall of 1892 was elected Justice of the Peace 
in his township. 

In 1877 occurred the marriage of Mr. Eugclbcrt 
and Miss Anna Oleson, who was also born in Nor- 
way, March 8, 1861. They have two interesting 
little daughters: Josephine, now eleven years of 
age, and Gertie, a child of six 3'ears. The family 
number many friends in this locality and their 
hospitable home is ever open for their enteitain- 
ment. 

In political affiliations Mr. Engelbert is a sup- 
porter of the Democratic party, as is also his father, 
who is still living on the place where he first set- 
tled on coming to this county, he now having at- 
tained the good old age of sevent^'-five \-ears. 
The faithful wife and mother was called to her 
final rest in 1872. Our subject is a prominent 
Chapter Mason, a member of the Independent 
Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias. 
By his many manly qualities, his true worth and 
sterling merit, he has made a host of friends m 
this vicinit}'. 



W/ACOB J. IIIEBER, an energetic, enterpris- 
ing and prosperous general agriculturist 
and stock-raiser, widely known and highly 
respected throughout Big Grove Townslii|i, 
Johnson County, Iowa, owns a valuable and finely 
improved homestead located u|)on section 25. A 
leading citizen of sterling integrity, he has worth- 
il3' received local offices of trust, and in the dis- 
charge of the duties appertaining to the positions 
has won the confidence of the entire community 
among whom he has dwelt these many years. 

Our subject was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, 
March 5, 1840. His parents, Jacob and Anna 
Hieber, lived upon a small farm in the Fatherland 
until thej' emigrated to America, in 1850. With 
their family thc}- sailed from Havre and were 
thirty-two days upon the passage, finally leaching 
New York in safety. Locating in Freucliburgh, 



278 



POKTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



the father there worked for a farmer nine months, 
and then removed to Jolnison County, Iowa, 
journeying by way of the Oliio River to tlie Miss- 
issippi, and upon the broad waters of the latter 
river proceeding to Muscatine, Iowa, where he 
bouglit forty acres of wild land, upon which stood 
an old log cabin, formerly' a schoolhouse. Begin- 
ning thus humbly. Father Ilieber was prospered and 
gradually adding to his land, owned a comforlalile 
property when he died upon this farm in 187M, at 
seventy-four years of age. 

The mother of our subject survived until 1885, 
and passed awa^' when sevent3-one years old. 
Four sons of the eight children are yet living, and 
were in tiieir boyhood of great benefit to their 
father upon the farm. The eldest son, .loliu ('., 
served in the Civil War three 3^ears and now re- 
sides in Kansas, where he has become an extensive 
land-holder, owning one thousand acres of excel- 
lent property. The youngest son is also an ener- 
getic and successful farmer of the same (State. 
Gottlieb lives on the old homestead in Big (irove 
Township, .Johnson County, Iowa. Jacob J. was 
but a little lad when his parents emigrated to 
America, and had obtained some schooling in his 
native land. After he came to Iowa the proiierty 
of his father and mother required him to work 
constantly, and he had therefore no further oppur- 
tunities for stud^'. Toiling diligently, he remained 
with his parents until he had arrived at thirty- 
four years of age. lie and a brother broke many 
acres of stubborn prairie land for the neighbors, 
devoting about seven years to tins line of vvork, 
and using for the puipose ox-teams. The l]r(jth- 
ers also handled a threshing-machine for seven 
years with profitable results, and lost no oppor- 
tunity to make their ui)waid wa\-. 

In 1874, Mr. Ilieber located on what was known 
as the Jackson farm on sections 'J and 10, I'.ig 
Grove Township, and purchasing the properly 
farmed there luitil the fall of 181)1, when he sold 
out and bought sixty-eight acres adjoining Solon, 
l^pon the homestead adjacent to the town our 
subject has built a handsome residence, a fine 
frame house with all conveniences, commodious in 
size and pleasantl}- arranged. Mr. Ilieber was mar- 
ried March 26, 1874, to Miss Caroline Ileidt, who 



was born July 27, 1850, in Baden, Germany. Her 
mother, Catherine E. Ileidt, was born and died in 
Germany, passing away in 1861. The father, John 
j J., surviving his wife, emigrated to America in 
1880, and died in this country in 1890. He had 
been a farmer in Germany and had there also 
served in the army. Mrs. Hieber came to America 
in August, 1871. Our subject and his estimable 
wife have an adopted daughter, Anna H., seven 
years of age, and will give her the advantages of a 
good education. 

Mr. Ilieber is a sturdy Democrat and has taken 
an active part in local affairs, and for his judicious 
judgment and general ability has been highly 
commended in his handling of various duties in- 
trusted to his care. Although much occupied al- 
ways with his own private business, he has ever 
found time to liberally aid in matters of local en- 
terprise and improvements, and is esteemed by the 
entire community as an upright man and progress- 
ive citizen. 



^,ILLIAM E. PRATT, a successful general 
agriculturist and stock-raiser residing upon 
'■:^'-^ his highly improved and valuable home- 
stead located upon section 33, Graham Town- 
ship, Johnson County, Iowa, was seventeen years 
of age when, in the si)ring of 1854, emigrating 
from Trumbull County, Ohio, he settled in what 
is now East Lucas Township. An energetic, ear- 
nest and ambitious boy, with his own way to make 
in the world, he labored diligently, but at the end 
of a twelvemonth removed to Scott Township, 
where he continued to reside for seven or eight 
3'ears. His next home was in Graham Township, 
which since 1867 has been his permanent location, 
and where for over a quarter of a century he has 
industriously engaged in the tilling of the soil. 
Our subject is a native of the Quaker State, and 
was born near Meadville, Crawford County, Pa., 
June 30, 1837. He is of English extraction, and 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



279 



traces his ancestry back to, or about the time of, 
the arrival of the"Ma3'llower" in 1620. The first 
nine years of his life were passed by William Pratt 
in his birthplace, and then he removed with his 
parents to Trumbull County, Ohio, where he re- 
ceived some instruction in the district schools, and 
gained a fair primary' education. 

After locating at first in Johnson County-, our 
subject learned the trade of a carpenter, which ho 
steadily followed until 1863, since which time he 
has devoted himself mainl}' to farming, with most 
profitable results. His one hundred and sixty 
acres of excellent land are under high cultivation, 
and have been improved with good buildings, large 
and substantial barns, and a residence of attractive 
appearance, well finished, and most conveniently' 
arranged. Mr. Pratt was married in Iowa City, Oc- 
tober 26, 1863, to Miss Emma D. Trotter, who was 
born in Johnson County, September 25, 1842, and 
was reared and educated in this part of Iowa. Her 
father, Samuel B. Trotter, and her mother, Martha G. 
(Sanford) Trotter, were among the pioneer settlers 
of the Territory of Iowa, arriving in the spring of 
1839 from Trumbull County, Ohio, and locating 
in Johnson County. Both the husband and wife 
possessed energy, courage and resolution, and Mrs. 
Trotter, who was among the very first white 
women to make their home in Johnson County', 
had abundant need to exercise her patient hope- 
fulness while sharing the privations and discom- 
forts of frontier experiences. Mr. Trotter was a 
native of Ohio, but his wife was born in New York 
State, and both had been well fitted by lives of 
self-reliance to readily adapt themselves to a new 
country, its trials and dangers. 

Our subject and his estimable wife have been 
blessed b^- the birth of four children, two sons and 
two daughters brightening the homestead with 
their cheerful presence. Elmer G., the eldest-born, 
has established a home of his own, having married 
Miss Henrietta Stevenson; Martha E. and Calista 
L., the sisters, and Sanford J., the youngest of the 
family, are at home. Their paternal grandpar- 
ents, Edward Pratt and his wife, Melinda (David- 
son) Pratt, were both natives of Massachusetts, but 
had made their home for some time in Pennsyl- 
vania before they came with tiieir son William to 



Johnson County in 1854. Intelligent, earnest and 
useful citizens, they were held in affectionate re- 
membrance by man}^ a friend and neighbor long 
after they had passed away in Scott Township. 
Our subject is interested in local and national is- 
sues, and has held with ability various offices of 
the township. A friend to educational advance- 
ment, he has with faithful effort materially aided 
in improving the methods and management of the 
district schools in Johnson County, and in all mat- 
ters pertaining to local enterprise and improve- 
ments is a true American citizen, progressive and 
public-spirited. 



TEPHEN BRADLEY is a member of the 
^^ enterprising law firm of Bradley & Bying- 
iii/jfc ton, of Iowa City, and has been promi- 
nently concerned in furthering the welfare 
of Iowa C'it^', where he makes his home. In 1880 
he was elected County Clerk and filled the duties 
of that position so acceptably to his constituents 
that he was re-elected and remained in that cajiac- 
ity for six years. During that time he was ad- 
mitted to the Bar and li.as since practiced before 
all the courts, being recognized as a man of acu- 
men, good discernment .and judicial ability*. After 
leaving the position of County Clerk he served 
for two years as Deputy Clerk, retiring in order to 
form a partnership with O. A. Byington, the firm 
now lieing well established and doing a general 
practice. Mr. Bra<lley, who is a stanch Democrat 
politically', was a member of the City Council from 
1889 to 1893, and has been actively interested in 
count}' and State politics. 

The gentleman whose name heads this sketch 
was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, December 26, 1850, 
and is the eldest of five children born to Timothy 
and Mary Bradley. They were both natives of 
lreland,were married in London, England, and emi- 
grated to the United States in 1848. The parents 
of our subject removed to Iowa in 1856, locating 



280 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



on a farm in Johnson Count}', where his youthful 
days were passed. Until arriving at mature years 
he helped liis father in carrying on the farm, and 
was given a good education by liis kind parents. 
He was a student in tlie Higli Seliool, receiving 
instruction from the noted teacher, O. A. Brown- 
son. After leaving school Mr. Bradley became a 
teaciier and tauglit for twelve winter terms, farm- 
ing during the summers. In 1880, as before men- 
tioned, he was first elected to the position of 
Clerk of .Johnson County, and it was while in that 
capacity that he flist concluded to make law his 
vocation. His wide range of studies and experi- 
ence as a teacher were of great benefit to him from 
the first, and it is still his aim to keep thoroughly 
abreast of the times, particularly on all points re- 
lating to his profession. 

On the 5th of March, 1878, Mr. Ihadley was 
married to Miss Mary Cusack, of this county, and 
a daughter of Laurance Cusack. Their union has 
been blessed by a family of five bright little ones 
whose names were as follows: Katie, Mamie, Frank, 
Carrie and Fannie. Katie, the first-born, died at 
the age of eighteen months. The pleasant home of 
Mr. and Mrs. Bradley is at No. 329 South Clinton 
Street, one of the nicest residence [jortions of our 
city. Our subject is a member of the Ancient 
Order of Hibernians. 



faithfiillv min- 



n 

•'i*/ isters to the spiritual wants of the large 



EV. P. A. INIcMANlIS, wh< 
the spiritual w.i 
parish of Koman Catholic eommumcants 
*^^ dwelling in O.xford Township, Johnson 
County. Iowa, has for more than seven }'ears been 
a welcome and familiar presence in this part of the 
State, where his self-sacrificing efforts in behalf of 
others have won for him not only the respect and 
esteem of his own congregation, but have secured 
for him the good-will and best wishes of the gen- 
eral public. Our subject is a native of Indiana, and 
was born in Madison, Jefferson County, October 



25, 1839. Ilis parents, John and Mary (Connolly') 
McManus, were of Irish descent, but were born in 
the (Jueen's dominions. They early emigrated to 
America, and made their home in Indiana, where 
they were well known and highly respected. Rev. 
P. A. McManus was the second in order of birth 
of six children, and received in early boyhood an 
excellent preparatoiy education, and when he later 
decided to enter the priesthood was well fitted to 
begin a classical course and enjoy the full advan- 
tage of the higher studies, a knowledge of which 
would be necessary in his chosen profession. 

In 1860 our subject entered St. Mary's Sem- 
inary, of Perry ville. Mo., and after a time went to 
Cape Girardeau, where he studied philosophy until 
1866, vvhen he was sent to iMilwaukee by the Bisliop. 
Here he studied theology for over two j-ears in 
St. Francis' Seminary, and was ordained by Bishop 
Hennessey in Dubuque, Iowa, July 19, 1868. Im- 
mediately following his ordination, Father Mc- 
Manus received the charge of the mission of 
Charles City, Iowa, and entered at once upon his 
pastoral duties. Earnestly devoting himself to 
the welfare of the people entrusted to his religious 
ministrations, he encouraged and stimulated his 
parishioners to renewed effort, and aided in the 
promotion of church enterprise in that field for 
nine months, when he was transferred to Harper's 
Ferry, Iowa. In this latter mission Father Mc- 
Manus became widely known, and for twelve years 
unweariedly went hisdail}' round, sharing the joys 
and sorrows of his parishioners, and always advanc- 
ing and strengthening the good works and religious 
efforts in the upbuilding and progress of the best 
interests of the church and Christianity. As the 
years passed on, the bonds which united him to 
the community became even stronger, and as a 
spiritual guide, friend and fellow-citizen, he was 
beloved by all who knew him, and it was with 
deep regret that his people learned that he was, 
in 1872, to be transferred to Davenport, wliither 
he had been called h}' Bishop McMillan. 

After a sojourn in the beautiful cit}- of Daven- 
port, Father MclSIanus was next appointed to the 
charge of the parish in Holbrook, Iowa, where, as 
well as in his other fields of labor, he accomplished 
much good, and won the respect of all who knew 





|L.-U'-^ 



^ 





^^ ..'/^(^ ...^/^-^.//^.-^ 



rORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



283 



him. September l/», lH«u, he entered upon his 
l)resent pastoiate, and has charge of one of the 
most llourisiiing memberships in Johnson County. 
The large and substantial ciiurch buil(Hng, and the 
commodious and attractive parsonage, give cer- 
tain evidence of the worldly pros|)erily of the par- 
ish, which now numbers a membership of four 
huiidreil souls. The good work of this mission is 
in safe hands, and is carried forward with zeal, 
courage and enthusiasm, and with a devotion to the 
cause of ('hrist wiiich has won many from their 
evil ways and conlii'med others more steadfastly 
in the faith of their chihJhood. As a priest. Fa- 
ther McManus is untiring in the ministration of 
his duties, and as a citizen and friend, is liberal- 
spirited, progressive and enterprising, and, fully in 
accord with our Republican institutions, is in 
word and deed a public-spirited American, rigidly 
upholding the stern principles of right and justice. 



AMES M<:COLLISTER. Among the promi- 
nent men and successful farmers, stock- 
raisers and business men of East Lucas 
Township, Johnson County, Iowa, is the 
subject of the present sketch. His fine farm of 
eight hundred acres, all in one body and under 
the highest cultivation, with his commodious barns 
and his beautiful modern residence, cause the 
stranger to express deepest admiration regarding 
the owner, one of the most fortunate of men. He 
was born in Pike County', Ohio, March H, 1835, a 
son of Judge Charles McCollister, a native of 
Maryland, born in 179'J, who came to Ohio in 
1803 with his parents, Robert and Mary McCol- 
lister. Hotli of the latter were natives of Mar}'- 
land, who removed to Ross Count}', Ohio, and 
settled near Chillicothe. The good old Scotch 
grandfather, Robert McCollister, was a soldier in 
the War of 1812. 

The father of our subject was reared in Ross 
County, and received his education in the schools 

13 



there, then held mostly in log cabins. He became 
one of the first teachers in Pike County, where he 
later located, married and continued teaching, 
combining it with agriculture. Heing a man of 
force of character, self-made and level-headed, he 
soon took a prominent position in I'ike County, 
became a Justice of the Peace, Treasurer of the 
county, and finally was elected Judge of the Court 
of Common Pleas, remaining on the bench for ten 
years. In 1854 he was defeated by the Know- 
Nothing party, being a Democrat all his life. In 
1855 he removed to Johnson County, Iowa, at-" 
tracted by the fertile lands in that State, and lo- 
cated five miles south of Iowa City, where he 
bought a large farm of one thousand acres, all in 
one body. 

The land purchased by Mr. McCollister was par- 
tially improved, and before long he had line stock 
grazing in the rich meadows, and farming in the 
most thorough style was under way. His busi- 
ness was most successfully conducted and he was 
considered one of the best farmers in the county. 
After coming to Iowa he did not concern himself 
with politics, as his business interests were so ex- 
tensive. The Presbyterian Church was the one in 
which he was reared, but his last days were spent 
in the JNIetliodist Episcopal Church. When he 
died in 1876, the county lost one of her best and 
most intelligent citizens. The mother of our sub- 
ject was Mary (Stinson) McCollister, a native of 
New Jersey, born in 1802 in Ross County, Ohio, 
who lived to be eighty-eight years old «nd died 
in 1890. The maternal grandfather of our sub- 
ject was James Stinson, a native of New Jersey, 
who served through the War of 1812. 

FAevan children were born to Mr. and Mis. Mc- 
Collister, Sr., all of whom grew to maturity and 
reared families of their own. Jacob resides in Ok- 
lahoma City; Malinda was the wife of Samuel 
Maneir; Robert, decea.sed, married Malinda Stin- 
son; Mary is the wife of Le (irand H^'ington, of 
Johnson County, Iowa; Lydia is the wife of 
George Corwine, of Carthage, Mo.; Martha is the 
wife of M. Dunlap, and they died in Ross County, 
Ohio; Elizabeth is the wife of G. W. Nelson, of 
Johnson County, Iowa; our subject is next; Sarah 
is the wife of William E. Moon, of Springfield, Mo.; 



284 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAIHICAL RECORD. 



Ellen is the wife of James Stevens, of Johnson 
County, Iow<a; and Emma is the widow of James 
Anderson, of Johnson County. Our subject was 
the eighth child in the famil}' and was reared in 
Pike County, Ohio, until the age of twenty years, 
attending the district school of that vicinity, and 
later being afforded advantages in the schools of 
Waverly. 

Our subject started for Johnson County, Iowa, 
with a team, and after settlement in the new home 
assisted liis father in business until he was twenty- 
nine years of age. In March, 1862, he married 
Marj' E. Hill, a native of Jolinson County, Iowa, 
born .September 12, 1844, a daughter of William 
Carpenter. She was adopted by Thomas Hill, of 
Johnson County, by whom she was reared. Our 
subject continued with his father until 1864, when 
he removed to the farm where lie now is located, 
called at that time the Phillip Clark farm, one and 
one-half miles south of Iowa City. It had never 
changed hands before, l)ut there were few improve- 
ments on the place, and the house into which our 
subject moved was the one which had been built 
as the first court house of Johnson County. 

It was the custom when the court met in tliose 
da^'S for tlie case to be tried in the house, after which 
the jury would ride out on the prairie to And a 
verdict, there being no room for consultation in 
the house. Mr. McCollister began to build his 
fine liouse in 1864, erecting a two-story Ijrick, 
and has continued adding to it until he has a 
mansion -of sixteen rooms with all modern im- 
provements, hot and cold water, bath and the com- 
forts which make the homes of this time so pleas- 
ant. The water is furnished by wind mills, which 
also supply his stock. The great barn, 50x80 
feet, with nine-foot posts, the basement with 
twenty-four foot posts, was erected in 1884 at a 
cost of $5,000. The magnificent farm of eight 
hundred acres has upon it three houses for ten- 
ants. 

Our subject lias engaged largely in the shipping 
of stock, and in 1892 shipped four car-loads. He 
is a man who rises early and thus " catches the 
early worm," showing by tiie results that he is a 
man who thoroughly understands his business and 
who believes in modern improvements. His two 



children are well settled in life. Thomas, wlio mar- 
ried Henrietta Briggs, resides in Iowa City, and 
Mary E. married A. G. Showers, who is a member 
of the dry-goods and grocery firm of Hinman & 
Showers, of Iowa City. Mr. McCollister is a strong 
Democrat, believing firmly in his party, and lias 
actively served it whenever occasion offered. In 
the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, also in the 
Legion of Honor, in Iowa City, he holds a promi- 
nent position. 



^ 



?RANK TANNER, dealer 



kinds of 



slielf and heavy hardware and agricultural 
implements, occupies a well-equipped store 
on Dubuque Street, where he also keeps a large se- 
lection of buggies and wagons of the latest and 
best manufacture. Since 1863 he has been num- 
bered among the substantial and progressive bus- 
iness men of Iowa City, and is public-spirited and 
very popular. 

Our subject was born in New York City, August 
19, 18,50, his father, Samuel Tanner, being a na- 
tive of Switzerland. The maiden name of our 
subject's mother was Rose Lehmann, adaughter of 
Cliristian Lehmann. The family emigrated to the 
United States in 1829, landing at New York City, 
where the familj' remained for some time, tlien re- 
moving to Madison, N. J., where they resided for 
several years. In 1863 the family removed to 
Cedar County, Iowa, locating on a farm which they 
made their place of abode for one year; thence they 
removed to Muscatine, where they stayed three 
years, and in 1866 moved to Johnson County, 
Tiie family comprised six children, who are all liv- 
ing and of whom our subject is the eldest child 
of the family. Up to the age of thirteen j'cars 
his boyhood was passed in New York and New 
Jersey, where he attended the common schools. 
He was early apprenticed to learn the blacksmith's 
trade with Charles Matties, of Iowa City. On the 
completion of his apprenticeship he was employed 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



285 



at his trade in Downe\', Cedar Count}', Iowa. Re- 
turning to Iowa City, he engaged in the milling 
business in tiio large brick tlouring-niill, which he 
ran successfully for four yeai'S. 

In 1882 Mr. Tanner formed a partnership with 
Oeorge T. Baiter for carrying on a hardware and 
farm iinplcincnt business. They continued to- 
gether for three years, when our subject purchased 
his partner's interest and has since continued in 
business alone. His store, which is 24x60 feet, is 
stoclved in every available portion with a well-se- 
lected line of all articles pertaining to his trade. 
His carriage repository is 80x130 feet; besides, he 
has a large warehouse in the rear of these build- 
ings. The business is well established and our 
subject controls a large and lucrative trade, which 
is justly deserved, for he ever manifests the most 
upright and honorable treatment of his customers, 
thus making them his friends and steady patrons. 
In 1870 Mr. Tanner was married to Miss Belle 
Dimmick, of this county, a native of the Empire 
State, and daughter of Hiram Dimmick. The union 
of our worthy subject and his amiable wife was 
blessed with ten children, who were as follows: 
Bertha (deceased), .John F., Rosalie, Samuel IL, 
Belle, Mamie, Frankie, Carl, Marjorie (deceased) 
and Susan. 

Our subject is a member of the Board of Super- 
visors, having served on the same for the past 
seven years. Since becoming a voter he has stead- 
fastly cast his ballot in favor of the nominees and 
principles of the Democratic party. He owns a 
substantial residence at the corner of Lucas and 
Burlington Streets, which is well furnished and is 
a pleasant, cheerful home in every respect. 



J'~^0SKP1I M. BUCHANAN, the able, energetic 
and enterprising proprietor and editor of 
the Victor Index, a leading Republican paper 
of Iowa County, Iowa, was for many j^ears 
a prominent and successful teacher of the State. 
He was also associated for some length of time with 



his brother T. II. in- the handling of merchandise 
in Victor, and has for a full score of years been ac- 
tively identified with the promotion of the best 
interests of his present locality. Our subject is a 
native of Guernsey County, Ohio, and was born 
July 12, 1854. His paternal grandfather, Thomas 
Buchanan, a man of more than ordinary ability and 
intelligence, was of immediate Irish descent, and, 
bom in Pennsylvania, located in Ohio in a very 
early day, and engaged in farming in Guernsey 
County. He later came to Scott County, Iowa, 
where he died at a good old age. Jackson Buchanan 
a native of Greene County, Pa., and the father of 
Joseph M., is the sole representative of the old pio- 
neer's family, the other son having long since 
passed away. 

Jackson Buchanan now a well-known and hon- 
ored resident of Victor, made his home in Iowa in 
1854, and settling in Scott County, entered with 
vigor into the tilling of the soil. He has long been 
a valued member of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church, and ever ready to aid in the good work 
of that religious organization. Hisestiraable wife, 
Rebecca (McNeeley) Buciianan, was a native of 
Pennsylvania, and is now deceased. She was the 
mother of nine children, of whom four are yet liv- 
ing. Our subject was the youngest of the family 
and was reared upon his father's farm, and attended 
the common schools of the home neighborhood. 
At eighteen years of age, he entered upon a suc- 
cessful career as a teacher, which terminated when, 
about twenty-three years old, he engaged in the 
mercantile business in Victor in company with 
his brothers. In August, 1885, Mr. Buchanan pur- 
chased the office and good-will of the /y?rte, a pop- 
ular Republican organ, which he has since contin- 
ued prosperously to conduct. The /nd«i;, a four- 
page and eight-column paper, is typographically 
attractive and furnishes to its subscribers a fund 
of useful and instructive information. Containing 
the local and national items of the day, brimming 
with the news of the outside world, and with its 
vigorous and logical editorials, it is widely read, 
and is gaining a rapid increase in its already ex- 
cellent circulation. 

Our subject was united in marriage in 1881, with 
Miss Emma H. Wigton, of Johnson County, Iowa. 



286 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



aud a daughter of Lewis and Jemima Wigton, both 
parents being natives of Pennsylvania. They emi- 
grated to Iowa when young, and the father was 
formerl3' a prosperous agriculturist of Johnson 
County, but now lives retired in Victor. Mr. and 
Mrs. Josepli M.Buchanan have been blessed by the 
birth of a daughter, Marion L., and are prominent 
in social and benevolent enterprises, being num- 
bered among the progressive and popular citizens 
of Victor. The genial editor of the Index has long 
been one of the local leaders of his party and has 
held various official positions of trust, discharging 
the duties of Justice of the Peace and Township 
Clerk and Collector with faithful abilitJ^ Frater- 
nall}', Sir. Buchanan is a valued member of the In- 
dependent Order of Odd Fellows and has many 
warm personal friends within that honored order. 
Prosecuting the daily work of life with intelligent 
ardor and untiring energy, our subject has pre- 
served throughout the entire course of his busy 
career the spotless record of lionest pu)pose and 
upright dealing with his fellow-men. 



THOMAS HUGHES, deceased, was for many 
¥r^ years prominent in everything pertaining 
^^ to the welfare and advancement of Johnson 
County, and was a leading newspaper man. In 
1841 he became associated with Gen. Van Antwerp 
in founding the first newspaper of this county, 
which was issued regularl}' at Iowa Citj'. He was 
a veteran of the late Civil War, in which he did 
valiant service. 

Our subject was born in Montour County, Pa., 
September 22, 1815, was reared and educated in 
his native State, and went in 1839 to Dubuque, 
wliere he found employment at his trade as a 
printer, and in company with Mr. Russell started 
a weekly paper, which he conducted successfully 
for some time. He remained actively engaged in 
newspaper work until the war broke out, when he 
went out witli the Twenty-eighth Iowa Infantry as 



Quartermaster, with the rank of Lieutenant. He 
served in the Red River campaign under Banks, 
and was promoted to the rank of Captain, but 
while engaged in this expedition, he was taken 
prisoner and sent to Tyler, Tex., where he was 
kept for fourteen months, being among the last 
prisoners who were detailed for exchange. He 
was a g.allant and efficient officer, faithfully giving 
his earnest efforts in behalf of the command. He 
was not wounded in any of the engagements in 
wliich he participated, but came out of the service 
with impaired healtli and well-developed heart 
trouble. 

September 15, 1841, Thomas Hughes wedded 
Miss Louisa King, who was born in Baltimore, 
Md., August 23, 1 823, being the daughter of Prof. 
Gideon King, a native of Connecticut, where his 
birth occurred February 21, 171)8. He was a finely 
educated man, a graduate of Dartmouth College, 
and was himself a teacher in various celebrated 
schools. His paternal ancestors, who were natives 
of England, came to the United States in the 
"Maytlower," and were afterward noted for their 
patriotism and love of their adopted country. 
Prof. King died in early manhood, being but thirty 
years of age when his earthly career was brought 
to a close. His wife, formerly Miss Louisa Buscli, 
was born in Baltimore, and lived to be about flfty- 
two years of age. Mrs. Hughes is one of two chil- 
dren, and the only survivor, her brother Austin 
having died in California in 1887. Mrs. Hughes 
was educated in the schools of her native city, and 
in 1839 went with her mother to Dubuque, Iowa, 
being then about fourteen years of age. 

To Mr. and Mrs. Hughes were born three daugh- 
ters and one son. Delia is tlie wife of James M. 
Gow, of Adair County, Iowa; Ellis G. is married 
and is a resident of Portland, Ore.; Anna G. and 
Louisa E. are at home. The devoted husband and 
father while in the midst of his career of useful- 
ness was cut down by death, March 11, 1881, his 
loss being deeply mourned by ail. Politicall}', he 
had been since the organization of the party 
a stanch Republican, and prior to the war was 
County Treasurer for several years, filling the 
position to the satisfaction of all, and after his re- 
turn officiated as City Clerk, being the incumbent 




J.R.Van Fleet. 



PORTRAIT AND RIOGRAPinCAL RECORD. 



289 



of that office at tlie time of his death. Frater- 
nally-, he was a member of the Independent Order 
of Odd Fellows, and religiously he was a Presb}-- 
terian in faith, having held several prominent 
church offices, ever ably assisting in extending 
the good work and influence of that denomina- 
tion. He was honored by all who Icnew him, as he 
was a true friend and upright man, and a public- 
spirited citizen. His father was a member of the 
Society of Friends, and from liim he inherited 
many sterling virtues. 

Mrs. Hughes makes her home at No. 122 North 
Capital Street, Iowa City, and she and her chil- 
dren in the various localities where their homes 
are made are foremost in social and benevolent 
enterprises. Tliey are progressive American citi- 
zens, ever aiding in the promotion of the best in- 
terests of the country, and are worthy representa- 
tives of the nation in whose behalf the husband 
and father gave courageous service thirty years 
ago. 



^^ 



^Ti'OHN R. VAN FLEET. It is not only a 
privilege but also a pleasure to perpetuate 
in the columns of this volume the memory 
of a noble man who has gone before, and 
the narrative of the most noteworthy events in 
his life will be of interest, not only* to his poster- 
ity, but also to the citizens of the section in which 
he resided for so many years, and where he es- 
tablished for himself and for his children a repu- 
tation for integrity of character and ability which 
will live long after his body has returned to dust. 
He was one of the foremost and most progressive 
of the business men of Iowa City up to the time 
of his death, and his name was synonymous with 
all that was upright and honorable in business cir- 
cles, both at home and abroad. He was born De- 
cember 6, 1818, in the State of Pennsylvania, his 
l)arents being Col. Mathias and Mary (Rickard) 
Van Fleet, this worthy couple being also Pennsji- 
vanians by birth, and the former a successful tiller 



of the soil and a practical man of affairs, lieing 
very patriotic, he enlisted in the service of his 
country upon the opening of the AVar of 1812, 
and during that struggle with Great Britain he 
attained to the rank of Colonel. 

John R. Van Fleet was taken to the Buckeye 
State by his parents when a small lad, the rudi- 
ments of a practical common-school education be- 
ing obtained in his home district, and until he was 
twenty years of age he continued to remain under 
the shelter of the parental roof. He then became 
a member of a company that was largel}' inter- 
ested in lands in Indiana Territory', and after 
proving up some land there he came to Johnson 
Count}^ Iowa, in 18.39, and in September, 1849, 
he married, near Iowa City, Miss Ellen Smith, 
daughter of John and Ellen (Long) Smith. Her 
parents moved to Wai^ello, Iowa, in 1839, and in 
the year 1840 came on to Johnson County and 
located on a farm bordering on Old Man's Creek, 
about Ave miles south of Iowa City, at which time 
Mrs. Van Fleet was about ten years of age. After 
her marriage with Mr. Van Fleet they made their 
residence in Iowa City, where Mr. Van Fleet began 
dealing in horses and real estate, and being a man 
of keen discernment and of a decidedly practical 
turn of mind, he made a success of these business 
ventures. He was very public spirited, pushing 
and enterprising, was very much interested in the 
development of the county, and was one of the 
organizers of the Bedford Bank, and was chosen 
its first President, which position he filled with 
distinction up to the day of his death. The can- 
dle of his life flickered and went out October 6, 
1881, at which time he left a valuable estate, which 
had been acquired chiefly by good judgment in 
investing. 

In politics, he alwa}'s supported the measures of 
the Democratic part^', and, although often urged 
bj' his numerous friends to allow his name to go 
before the convention for some office, he was mod- 
est and unassuming and never desired notoriety 
in the political arena, his time and attention be- 
ing devoted to accumulating a competency- for 
himself and family, in which laudable endeavor 
he was eminently successful. After his death his 
widow assumed the management of his business 



290 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



interests, in which she has shown exceptional ex- 
ecutive ability, skill and judgment. She is a wo- 
man of much intelligence, is kindly and generous 
in disposition, and to those for whom she pro- 
fesses friendship she is loyalty itself. She bore 
her husband eight children, onlj^ four of whom 
are living: Hattie V., wife of William Crum, of 
Bedford, Iowa; Ella V., wife of II. M. Henley, of 
Davenport, Iowa; Morgan M., an ex-banker, now 
living in Denver, Colo.; and Maud V., wife of 
Charles M. Porter, of Oskaloosa, Iowa. Mrs. Van 
Fleet makes her home in the family residence at 
No. 227 Dubuque Street, it being a large and 
handsome structure, tastefully' fitted up and thor- 
ouglil3' homelike in all its appointments. 



^AMEL DORWART, of Iowa City, our 
subject, has been honorably and iudis- 
solubly connected with tlie mercantile in- 
terests of the city and with lier prosperitj' 
and happiness, but for some time past he has been 
retired. lie worthily retained the confidence of 
the leading commercial and financial circles, and 
his name as a man of business became a veritable 
trademark for all that was honorable and upright. 
Our subject was born in Lancaster, Pa., June 25, 
1809, a son of Henry and Elizabeth (Hoffman) 
Dorwart, the former of whom was a native of the 
same cit}' and a tailor bj' trade, in which occupa- 
tion he was very skillful, and followed it during 
the active yeai-sof his life. He died in the city of 
his birth at the age of sixty-three ^-ears, his career 
having been marked by usefulness and a desire to 
do as he would be done by. The maternal grand- 
father was Daniel Hoffman, of German lineage. 
Mrs. Dorwart was called from life at the age of 
seventj'-three years. 

The boyiiood of Mr. Dorwart was spent in attend- 
ing the public schools of his native town, in which 
he secured a sufficient knowledge of the common 
English branches to fit him for the proper conduct 
of ordinary business affairs. After leaving school 



he, like the niajority of bo3's, began learning the 
occupation to which his father's attention was di- 
rected, and he could have had no one more thor- 
oughly qualified to fit him for the successful con- 
duct of his business tlian his sire. After becoming 
a thoroughly' proficient tailor, he continued work- 
ing at his trade in his native State until 1832, when 
he went to Wheeling, W. Va., where he began 
working on his own account, but shortly after, 
with the expectation of bettering his financial 
condition (in which he was not disappointed), he 
went to New Lisbon, Ohio, where he soon had 
sufficient work to keep him profitably employed 
and to admit of his taking a wife. This lady 
was Rebecca Watson, daughter of Jacob and Beu- 
lah (Warrenton) Watson. The paternal grand- 
father was John Watson, a Scotchman by descent. 
After his marriage, Mr. Dorwart settled at New 
Lisbon and during the seventeen 3'ears that he 
followed his trade at that place he became well 
known as a skillful tailor and as always abreast of 
the times in the cut of his garments. In 1858 he 
came to Johnson County, Iowa, disposing of his 
interest in the drj'-goods store at Lisbon, Iowa, 
which he had conducted in company with his 
brother David^ and since that time he has been 
connected with the business affairs of Iowa City. 
He was for some time with the establishment of 
J. T. Turner, and later with James Elliott for sev- 
eral years, but advancing years compelled him 
to retire in 1885, after having accumulated a com- 
petency. Mr. Dorwart was a member of the Board 
of Regents of the State University of Iowa for a 
number of years, and in politics has always been 
a warm Republican, supporting his party's princi- 
ples on all occasions. His union resulted in the 
following children: Jason W., who is a successful 
phj-sician of Friend, Neb., and a graduate of the 
Medical College of Keokuk, Iowa; David, who 
was a soldier in the Civil War, serving in Com- 
pany B, Twenty-second Iowa Infantry', and dieil 
at Milliken's Bend in 1862; Ed D., a tinner bj' 
trade, who resides in South Dakota; and Frank, 
who is a resident of Tobias, Saline County, Neb. 

Mr. Dorwart and his wife attend .services in the 
Christian Chapel Church, in which he was a Dea- 
con for twelve years. Mrs. Dorwart was born at 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



291 



New Lisbon, Columbiana County, Ohio, March 1, 
1818. This wortliy couple are now well advanced 
in years, but in tlieir long journey down the path 
of life, they have ever endeavored to follow the 
teaciiing of the Golden Rule, and in consequence 
have numerous warm personal friends. Mr. Dor- 
wart has alwaj'S been the soul of honor in his 
busiuess transactions, and his career being above 
reproach, he may well rest content in the enjoy- 
ment of the extended friendsliip which has been 
given him. 



-^^ 



'If OSEPH W. PAUBA, an energetic, enterpris- 
ing and extensive grain and agricultural 
dealer located in Solon, Jolinson County, 
J Iowa, ships hundreds of carloads of grain 
every year and handles one of the most complete 
stocks of agricultural implements in the county. 
Although largely occupied with daily cares of a bus- 
iness of magnitude, rapidly increasing in value, 
our subject finds time to devote to local improve- 
ments and has long been intimately associated 
with the growing interests of the town and county. 
As a member of the City Council and connected 
with the School Board officially, he has done most 
effective service in behalf of progress and reform, 
and both as a private individual and public officer 
commands the high esteem of the community of 
Solon. His parents, Jacol) and Katie Pauba, were 
born and bred in Bohemia, and having married 
in their native land continued for many 3-ears to 
make tlieir homes in the southeastern part of Ger- 
many- .lacob Pauba was a man of more than or- 
dinary ability and intelligence and occupied a 
position of prominence in the Old Country. He 
owned a small farm, from which he drew a com- 
fortable revenue, and for six years occupied the 
responsible position of Sheriff in Bohemia, also at 
other times buying grain for the Government. 

In 1867, Jacob and Katie Pauba, witii the 
younger members of their family, emigrated to 
America and settled in Linn Count}', Iowa, near 



Cedar Rapids. They later removed to Solon, 
Johnson County, where the fatiier died in 1890, 
aged eighty-eight. His wife had passed away in 
1887, at eighty-three years of age. Of their large 
family of ten children five yet survive and all are 
living in America. Two brothers are in Califor- 
nia, the eldest one having crossed the plains in 
1849. Our subject was born in Bohemia, Novem- 
ber 3, 1845, had some early advantages of edu- 
cation, and at twelve years of age was apprenticed 
to learn the harness-maker's trade, and gave three 
years' service to this work. Before he was sixteen, 
preceding his parents to America, Mr. Pauba 
sailed from Hamburg June 17, 1861, and reach- 
ing New York, continued upon his way to Aspin- 
wall, thence to Panama, and_ from there to San 
Francisco, where he profitably engaged in his trade 
for tenj'ears. While in San Francisco our subject 
ambitiously and perseveriugly attended the night 
schools twice a week to perfect himself in the En- 
glish language. In 1871 he moved to Iowa, and 
engaged in the business of a harness-maker. 

In 1874, Mr. Pauba entered into the grain and 
agricultural business. He handles large amounts 
of grain, which he ships to New York, Chicago and 
Peoria, and also carries a complete line of agricul- 
tural implements, including the McCormick, Jlinne- 
apolis, and Esterh' Binders. Our subject was mar- 
ried in 1871 to Miss Mary Bartoch, born in Bo- 
hemia. Mrs. Pauba came to America in 1856 with 
her parents, who settled in .Johnson County, Iowa, 
upon a farm, and are yet both living. Four chil- 
dren have blessed the pleasant home of Mr. and 
Mrs. Pauba: Adaline, Joseph, Frank and Rosa. 
Our subject lias met with success in his various 
undertakings in life, and by patient industry and 
wise and thrifty management has acquired a com- 
fortable competence. He owns two hundred and 
forty acres of valuable land in Cedar Township, 
and possesses excellent business propert}- in Solon, 
and is also proprietor of a grain elevator located 
there. His brother sent liim $155 to use in coming 
to America, and after arriving in San Francisco 
he was taken very ill with rheumatic fever and 
when he recovered was in debt -$360, which he 
afterward paid in full. Mr. Pauba worked for 
one man in San Francisco five years, and devoted 



292 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



himself untiringly to winning his upward waj'. 
Tlie same fidelity to the matter in hand which 
distinguislies his conduct in business is also a 
leading feature in his management of public in- 
terests, and has secured him the reputation of an 
able, enterprising and upright man. Politically, 
our subject is a straight Democrat and a firm be- 
liever in the doctrines of the great statesman, 
Thomas Jefferson. Fraternally, he is a member of 
the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and has 
within and without this time-honored order a 
host of friends. 






AMES F. BAILEY, who died February 1, 
1888, his death mourned as a public loss by 
the entire community of Poweshiek County, 
^5^1^ Iowa, was one of the early pioneers of the 
Ilawkeye State and a man of ability and enter- 
prise, who efficiently aided in the promotion and 
ultimate success of many of the leading interests 
and progressive movements which centered in and 
about Grinnell Township. Mr. Bailey was a na- 
tive of Oneida County, N. Y., and born August 
22, 18 IC, had reached middle age before he came, 
in the fall of 1854, to Poweshiek County. Our 
subject was married in the Empire State to Miss 
Coi'nelia Doolittle, who was born in Camden, N. Y. 
.Seven children blessed their home. Joanna, the 
eldest, was born in Oneida County, N. Y., and 
married George T. Baggs; Mary died young; Ella 
C. is the wife of E. C. Reed, of Parsons; Irene 
died single; Gertrude, Jennie, and William D., a 
talented young man and a law student at Yale, 
complete the list of six daughters and one son 
who brightened the pleasant home of our subject 
and his estimable wife. Four of the children were 
graduated with honor from the college at Grinnell, 
and all were well fitted by education and home 
training to worthilj' occupy jiositions of usefulness 
and influence. 

James F. Bailey settled in tlie county at a very 
early day, and with his two brotliers soon owned 



a large body of land, and at the time of his death 
was yet the possessor of two hundred and forty acres. 
The three brothers engaged in the grist and saw mill 
business prosperously for many years, and then 
devoted their time and attention to the pursuit of 
agriculture, also raising stock extensivel}-, and 
were known throughout Poweshiek County as en- 
ergetic industrious and public-spirited citizens. 
In his religious convictions our subject was a Con- 
gregationalist and a liberal supporter of the ex- 
tension of the good works and influence of that 
denomination. Politically, he was a stalwart Re- 
publican and an ardent advocate of the principles 
of the party. A true friend and kind neighbor in 
the hour of trouble, he had a host of well-wishers 
and enjoyed the high esteem and full confidence 
of a wide acquaintance, and will long be remem- 
bered and lamented throughout the length and 
breadth of Poweshiek Count}-. Mrs. Bailey sur- 
vived her husband, dying Januaiy 9, 1893. 

The son-in-law of our subject, George T. Baggs, 
a prominent agriculturist and successful stock- 
raiser, resides upon section 8, Grinnell Township, 
where he owns one hundred and forty acres of 
land, all under a high state of cultivation. Mr. 
Baggs is an Englishman b}" birth, although he 
was but ten years of age when he emigrated to 
America with his parents, Robert and Mary (Pen- 
ney) Baggs. The father and mother were both 
natives of England, where Mr. B.iggs received em- 
ployment from the Government. George T. was 
born in Weymouth, in 1835, and had enjoyed 
some educational advantages before leaving his 
native land. The family, safely reaching the United 
.States, made their home in what is now Kenosha 
County, AVis., and there engaged in the pursuit of 
farming. Mr. Baggs attained his majority in the 
Badger State, and when the Civil War broke out 
volunteered in the service of his adopted country, 
enlisting in Company E, Twenty-first Wisconsin 
Regiment, and joined Gen. Buell at Louisville, Ky. 
Participating gallantly in many battles, he was 
wounded at Chickamauga and disabled for active 
duty for some time. He served continuously un- 
til the close of the war, and was then honorably 
mustered out in Wisconsin. 

In 1867 Mr. Baggs came to Poweshiek Count}-, 




'4- 




SSt^ 



-^A_ 



3^u/~ d^ /^^^i^ (2^ 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



295 



and ten j'ears later, in 1877, was united in marriage 
witli Miss .loanna Bailey, and unto them have been 
born three intelligent children, two sons and a 
daughter, Charles, Russell and Clara, all yet in 
school. The father and mother are valued mem- 
bers of the Congregational Church, and are active 
in the good works and in social and benevolent 
enterprises of that religious organization. They 
have a beautiful home, in which thej' cordially ex- 
tend pleasant hospitalities to a wide circle of 
friends and acquaintances. In political affiliation, 
Mr. Baggs is a strong Republican and a firm be- 
liever in the principles of the party. An intelli- 
gent citizen, he takes an active interest in the af- 
fairs of the day, both local and national, and is 
intimately associated with the upward growth and 
progress of his home locality, where he possesses 
the esteem and high regard of the entire com- 
munity. 



x^, APT. PHILIP K. SHAVER. The manner 
[li f^ in which this gentleman came to Iowa, his 
'^^Jy efforts to secure a home for himself and 
family, his untiring industry and persistent effort, 
which have been crowned with success, make him 
a typical pioneer, of the class which moved into the 
Northwest a short time before the Indians moved 
out, and when the advance guard of civilization, 
the hunters, trappers and traders, were beginning 
to push Westward toward the plains and the Rocky 
Mountain region. Philip E. Shaver is a native of 
the Keystone State, his birth occurring in Somer- 
set County May 6, 1829, he being the ninth of his 
parents' twelve children. (For further history of 
his parents see sketch of Daniel K. Shavei.) A com- 
mon-school education represented the sum total of 
his accomplishments, and this was obtained in the 
primitive log structures of his native county and 
during a three weeks' attendance at school after 
coming to Johnson County, Iowa, in 1844. So far 
!»she had gone, however, his education was of the 
practical kind, and being possessed of a naturally 



fine mind, he made the most of every opportunity 
that came in his way, was an extensive reader, and 
by contact with the business affairs of life became 
an exceptionally well-informed young man. Al- 
though this was a rough school, it was a veiy use- 
ful one, and served to teach him that self-reliance 
was to be his main dependence. 

In 1847, our subject enlisted in the Mexican 
War to fight his country's battles, becoming a 
member of Capt. James M. Morgan's company of 
Iowa Mounted Volunteers, and serving until Sep- 
tember, 1848, the most of which time he was 
among the Indians. He became quite familiar 
with the habits and language of the Sac, Fox and 
Pottawattamie Indians, and assisted in moving the 
Winuebagos from Iowa to Minnesota. He then 
returned to Johnson County, and in the spring of 
1850 was taken with a very violent ease of "gold 
fever," and started with an ox-team and a "prairie 
schooner" to make the overland journey to Cali- 
fornia, via Ft. Kearne3', Soda Springs and Idaho, 
and at last landed in Ringgold, Cal., and mined for 
about four years in that State. At the end of that 
time he returned home via the Isthmus of Panama 
to New Orleans, and up the Mississippi River, and 
from that time until his marriage, December l.'i, 
1855, he "batched" in a little log cabin that stood 
on his land. His union with Miss Hettie E. Grimes, 
a native of Ohio, resulted in the birth of five chil- 
dren, two of whom reached mature years: Jennie 
S., now the wife of George W. Wagoner; and Lin- 
coln G., who is a farmer, is married and has a fam- 
ily. The mother of these children was called from 
life in 1880, she having been a resident of John- 
son County, Iowa, for twenty-seven j'ears, and hav- 
ing come to this section from Knox Count}', Ohio, 
with her parents. Mr. Shaver's second marriage 
was celebrated September 6, 1881, Mrs. Clarissa 
(Patterson) Wagoner becoming his wife, her birth 
having occurred in Licking County, Ohio, May 27, 
1825. 

The first land of which Capt. Shaver became the 
owner he purchased from the Government, but 
from time to time as his means allowed he made 
additions to this tract, until he now has one of the 
largest and finest farms in the county, comprising 
five hundred acres of cxccptiouall}- valuable and 



296 



POSTRAIT AND BIOORAPIUCAL RECORD. 



fertile land. Every nook and cranny of field and 
fences is carefully and intelligently looked after, 
and this valuable property is the result of hard 
work and ceaseless activity, united with a strong 
and determined perseverance. lie has alwaj'S 
been a careful and conservative man of affairs, and 
has never indulged in speculations, but on the con- 
trary has been content to "pursue the even tenor 
of his vvay," and as a result is one of the wealth- 
iest agriculturists of the eountj'. His place is or- 
namented with a beautiful frame residence, and 
his barns and sheds are of a very substantial and 
creditalile kind. His house was erected in 1877, 
and the following year his fine barn was put up. He 
is President of the Kalona Savings Bank, which 
was organized in July, 1892, with a capital stock 
of 110,000. This institution is established on a 
sound basis, and is doing a prosperous and profit- 
able business. 

Upon the bursting of the war cloud which had 
hovered so long over the country, Mr. Shaver 
dropped his farming implements to become a 
votary of Mars, and in the month of May, 1861, 
his name could be found on the rolls of Company 
F, First Iowa Cavalry, which had for its nucleus 
Capt. Gower's compan.y, known as the University 
Compan}', and during the two years that he was in 
the service of his country he participated in the 
battles of Black Water, Mo., Silver Creek and Prai- 
rie Grove, Ark., and a number of severe skirmishes, 
the most important of which vvas Warsaw, after 
which he went to Little Rock. At Burlington, 
Iowa, he was commissioned Second Lieutenant, be- 
came First Lieutenant in October, 1861, and at- 
tained to the rank of Captain in 1862, which posi- 
tion he was very creditably filling at the time of 
his resignation, on account of the severe illness of 
his wife at home. 

Like many successful business men, Capt. Shaver 
started at the foot of life's ladder, his humble lot 
in youth giving no hint of the honors that strong 
intellect, fairl}- used, coupled with unwearying in- 
dustry, were to bring him. His career has been 
that of an upright and honorable gentleman, and 
by his straightforward course through life he has 
won many friends and lost few. Politically, he is 
a stanch Republican, has invariably taken a zealous 



and active part in the national, State and county 
issues, and has at all times advocated the suc- 
cess of the political tenets of true Reijublicanism 
with unfaltering promi)titude, courage and fidel- 
ity. He held the office of County Supervisor un- 
der the old township law, and in 1871, upon the 
urgent request of his numerous friends, he made 
the race for the State Legislature, but as the coun- 
ty was largely Democratic, he was defeated. He has 
discharged the duties of the various township 
offices in a manner greatl}' to his credit. Taken 
all in all, Capt. Shaver's life has been that of the 
typical Western pioneer, and the lesson which it 
teaches is that success in life is the reward of hon- 
est effort, industry and sobriety. 



=^>-^^-<^^-> 



AVID M. LANGDORN, of section 12, Big 
Grove Township, is one of the successful 
and wealthy farmers of Johnson Countj'. 
On both sides of the house he is descended 
from a long line of noted New England ancestors, 
who were originally from Wales. His great-grand- 
father, John Langdorn, was a soldier in the AVarof 
the Revolution. His grandfather, Samuel, born 
February' 6, 1772, in Connecticut, was a carpenter 
by trade, and died at a ripe old age. Luther 
Langdorn, the father of our subject, who was one 
of seven children, was born June 1, 1807, in Litch- 
field County, Conn., and in his young days was 
employed in a foundry for smelting iron. About 
the year 183;J he emigrated to Trumbull County, 
Ohio, where he purchased land and engaged in its 
cultivation. 

In the fall of 1854 he emigrated to Iowa with 
his family, making the journey by means of teams. 
He first located in AVashington County, and in 
the following spring made a settlement in Johnson 
County, where he purchased one hundred and 
eight acres on section 12, Big Grove Township. 
Of this tract twenty-eight acres had been broken 
and fenced and on it was a log cabin. The sur- 
rounding countrv was little better than a wilder- 




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



297 



ness and wild game was veiy plentiful. He was a 
leading man in the community' and held a number 
of local offices in the township. Coming here 
with but limited means, he was very successful and 
ranlvcd higii in the opinion of his fellow-citizens. 
He departed this life July 25, 1890, being then in 
liis eight^'-fourth year. 

Tlie mother of our subject bore the maiden 
name of Sallie M. Leavenworth, her ancestors be- 
ing of New England stock, descendants of one 
Thomas Leavenworth, who was born in England 
and died in Connecticut in 1715. By her mar- 
riage she became the mother of six children, of 
whom the record is as follows: Caroline, wife of 
H. S. Sulliff, of Cedar Township, this county; 
Eliza E.; Hannah, who married George L. Griggs, 
of Cedar Township; Thomas E., who enlisted in 
1862 in the Twenty-fourth Iowa Regulars and 
was killed at the battle of Cliampion Hills; David 
M., our subject; and Ann, who married Perry S. 
Stream and resides in Greene County, Iowa. Mrs. 
Langdorn, who was a member of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church, died May 7, 1881. 

When he came to Iowa, David M. Langdorn was 
only ten 3'ears of age. He lived upon the old 
homestead with his father, and finally took entire 
charge of the farm, relieving him of all care and 
anxiety. His farm of one hundred and eightj'- 
cight acres is located on section 12, and is well 
developed. He has in addition to this a small tract 
of timber-land. He has also a good farm house, 
barns and other necessai-y farm buildings, which are 
kept in a thrifty manner, showing the atten- 
tion which are bestowed upon tiiem by the owner. 
In addition to general farming he is largely en- 
gaged in raising all kinds of live stock. He uses 
the best machinery and progressive ideas in carry- 
ing on his farm, and is justly numbered among the 
leading agriculturists of this district. 

On the 2ytli of January, 1868, Mr. Langdorn and 
Mi.ss Mary A. Stream, a native of Licking County, 
Ohio, were united in marriage. Her parents emi- 
grated to Linn County, Iowa, in 1855. They 
were Elias and Marj- A. Stream, natives of Virginia, 
and descendants from an old aristocratic family of 
that State. They were both called from this life 
in Iowa, leaving ten children to mourn their loss. 



The}' were worthy citizens and left a wide circle 
of friends and .acquaintances, who will ever hold 
their memory dear. Mrs. Langdorn, who received 
a good education in lier native State, numbers 
man}' friends who esteem her highly for her manj' 
amiable qualities and well-known worth. She has 
been truly a sharer of her husband's joys and sor- 
rows and has faitlifuUj- helped to ligiiten his anxi- 
eties and cares. 

Mr. Langdorn is a firm l)eliever in the principles 
of the Republican party, casting his votes in favor 
of the men nominated liy that party. He has al- 
ways taken a leading part in public affairs, doing 
all in his power to promote the best interests of 
his fellow-townsmen and tiie community in which 
he dwells. 



i^^m^-^^w^m 



C. NEFF, County Recorder of Poweshiek 
County, Iowa, is one of the most efficient 
officers in this part of the State, a man 
well known for his brave war record, and 
one who for his many amiable qualities is esteemed 
by the community. He was born in Tuscarawas 
County, Ohio, November 23, 1839. His father, 
Frederick, was born in Virginia, and his grand- 
father, Jacob Neff, was also a native of that State, 
from which he removed to Ohio by team at an 
early daj^ in the settlement of tiiat State. There 
he became a pioneer of Tuscarawas County, en- 
gaged in farming, continuing the same until the 
time of his death. He had descended from Swiss 
ancestors. The father of our subject was ten years 
of age when he accompanied his father to Oliio, 
and became his assistant on the farm. There were 
few improvements in the country at that time, 
and Mr. Neff was a young man at the time of the 
building of the Ohio Canal. 

Mr. Neff helped dig the canal where Port Wash- 
ington now stands. When lie became tired of 
farm life and surroundings he learned the trade 
of a shoenuaker, and for a time worked at it in the 
county. Earlj- in life he was a Whig, but later 



298 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



became a Democrat and held many of the county 
otiices. His religious connection was with the 
Christian Church. Tiie mother of our subject was 
Elizabeth Snyder, a native of Pennsylvania, and a 
daughter of Peter Snyder, .a farmer who removed 
from Pennsylvania to Ohio, where he became a 
minister of the Lutheran Churcli. His ancestry 
was English. The mother of our subject died in 
1844, but she is still tenderly remembered by her 
three children: our subject; Frank, wlio is a hard- 
ware merchant in Lidiana; and Alfred, who is a 
shoe dealer in Iloopestown, 111. 

Our subject was the second eldest of the family 
of children, was reared in Ohio and attended the 
common schools at Ragersville, Ohio. In 18o7, 
he came as far West as Brooklyn, Iowa, but when 
he reached that town he found but few stores 
there and he decided to learn the trade of a tin- 
smith. With this end in view he entered into an 
apprenticeship under a Mr. Snyder, remaining with 
him until he had learned the trade. Then he re- 
turned to Ohio, in 1861, engaging in work at his 
trade until his entrance into the army in August, 
1802, when he entered Company D, Fifty-second 
Ohio Infantry, and was mustered in at Camp Dcn- 
nison, Ohio. The command was sent South to 
Kentuck}', where it took part in the battle of Per- 
ry ville, then went on to Nashville and took part 
in the closely following battles of Chickamaugua 
and Missionary Ridge, later going into winter 
((uarters at Chattanooga. In the spring of 18G4 
the Georgia campaign was opened b_y the engage- 
ment at Buzzard's Roost, followed b}' the battles 
of Resaca, Dallas, the great fight at Kenesaw 
Mountain, the siege of Atlanta, and the battle of 
Jonesboro, and then on to Savannah. At this 
time the long marches through water and the ter- 
rible exposure of the soldier's life told upon the 
frame of our subject and he became so badly 
crii)pled with rheumatism that he was placed in 
the hospital; later he was sent by steamer to Wash- 
ington, and was in camp there at the time of the 
"Grand Review. The company was mustered out 
at Columbus in June, 1865, our subject having 
had two years and ten months of service. 

The rheumatism which our subject contracted 
at this time has never entirelv left him. After 



the war he immediately returned to Brooklyn and 
resumed work at his trade, being employed by A. 
J. Wood for a period of tvvelve years, after which 
he started in the hardware and tinware business, 
but later returned to his trade. In 1890 he 
was elected to the ofDce of County Recorder on 
the Republican ticket, and in January, 1891, he 
took the position, being re-elected in 1892, at all 
times running ahead of his ticket, and his present 
term holding over until January, 1895. Mr. Neff 
was married in Brooklyn, in June, 1866, to Miss 
Emma Bross, a native of New Jersey. She died 
in Brooklyn in 1883. Eight children were born 
of the marriage, as follows: Grace, now Mrs. Bert 
Wurts, of Horton, Kan.; Ralph, in the West; Noel, 
in Adair, Iowa; Frank, a baker in Brooklyn; Cora 
and Edith at home; and two children who died 
when small. The second marriage of Mr. Neff took 
place in Brookl3'n with Miss Celia Stull, a native 
of New York. Our subject has been active in edu- 
cational matters, and for six years has been a 
member of the School Board. He is a member of 
the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and of 
John T. Drake Post, G. A. R., at Brooklyn, of 
which he is Past Commander. He has taken a 
deep interest in this organization, was its Sec- 
ond Commander, District Mustering Olficer, and 
in the year 1892 was an Aide to Mr. McIIenry, 
the Department Commander. In his religious 
faith, Mr. Neff belongs to the Baptist Church at 
Griunell. He is a stanch Republican in politics, 
and in all the relations of life deserves the ap])ro- 
bation f)f his friends and fellow-citizens. 



-^^+^^ 



W. HARDING, M. D., a young and able 
medical practitioner and skillful surgeon, 
of Solon, Johnson County, Iowa, has in a 
comparatively brief time won an enviable position 
as a leading physician of his locality, and enjoys 
a wide and rapidlj' increasing pr.actice in his home 
neighborhood and the surrounding country. Our 
subject is a native of the State, and was born in 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



299 



Ainsworth, Washington County, June 8, 1866. 
His paternal grandfatlier, Lewis Haidiny, w.as a 
Virginian by birth, but was of Gerraari anoestr}'. 
Grandfather Harding was a man of resolution and 
ambition, and, emigrating to Ohio in an early day, 
located in Morgan County, and there engaged in 
agricultural labor, when that part of the Buckeye 
Slate was but sparsely settled by a scattered popu- 
lation. He subsequently removed to Washington 
County, Iowa, and was numbered among the en- 
terprising pioneers of his locality, and, sharing 
early struggles, survived to witness the growth 
and progress of the West, passing away in 1881, 
honored b3' all who knew him. 

The father of our subject, Thomas Harding, was 
born during bis parents' residence in Morgan 
County, Ohio. He was one of nine children, and 
came to Washington County with his father and 
mother in about 1848, and has devoted his life to 
agricultural pursuits. He has now retired from 
active farming duty, and having acquired a com- 
petence enjoys the comforts of one of the most 
pleasant and attractive homes in Washington 
County. He is a member of the Methodist Epis- 
copal Church and a consistent Christian man, lib- 
erally aiding in the extension of good work and 
religious influence. The mother of our subject, 
Mrs. Alvira (Sears) Harding, like her husband, is 
a worthy member of the Methodist Church, and 
has always taken an active part in the social 
and benevolent enterprises of the organization. 
Thomas Harding and his estimable wife have had 
six children, five of whom are yet living. Dr. 
Harding was the fifth of his father's family in or- 
der of birth, and, reared upon the AVashington 
County farm, attended the district school of his 
home neighborhood, and completed his prepara- 
tory studies in the High School of Ainsworth. 

Our subject pursued his medical studies in the 
medical department of the State University at 
Iowa City, entering u[)on the course of lectures in 
the fall of 1886. Taking a three-years course. Dr. 
Harding did not graduate until 1890, his studies 
having been interrupted by his spending the year 
of 1888 in the hospital at Mt. Pleasant as dis- 
pensing clerk. Immediately after receiving his 
degree and diploma, our subject came to Solon, 



and iu the spring of 1890 entered upon the active 
duties of the medical profession, and almost from 
the first met with encouraging success. Dr. Hard- 
ing unites with his medical knowledge and pro- 
fessional skill the attributes which will materially 
insure him a prosperous career, his courteous man- 
ner and pleasing address making him a welcome 
visitor to the room of the sick and suffering. IJ[)on 
April 6, 1892, he was united in marriage with Miss 
Grace Beuter, of Johnson County, an accomplished 
lady, whose family were among the early settlers 
of Iowa. Fraternally, our subject is a member of 
the Ancient Free & Accepted Masons, and, politi- 
cally, is a stanch Republican. He is a member of 
the Johnson County and Iowa Union Medical So- 
cieties, and earnest, energetic and ambitious, he 
loses no opportunity to advance himself in the 
scientific and practical knowledge so necessary in 
successfully overcoming the various "ills that flesh 
is heir to." 



|vS''^^@1l 



\fl OSEPM W. SATCHELL. Our subject is the 
oldest settler now living in Poweshiek 
County, and has a mind stored with rich 
reminiscences of the early days of this 
country. Sociable by instinct and broad in his 
views, his friends are many and his dislikes few. 
He was born near Clarksburg, Richland Township, 
Ross County, Ohio, fifteen miles northwest of 
Chillicothe, April 17, 1819, and has been a resi- 
dent here since March 2'.}, XSii, when he and liis 
brother Daniel, who died in Marion County in 
1877, brought the first hogs, sheep and cows to 
the count}', driving them and a yoke of oxen here. 
At that time R. B. Ogden was the only settler in 
the county, he having come here in the fall of 
1843, and he died in 1885. 

The father of our subject, Joseph Satchell, was 
born on the eastern shore of Maryland, and his 
grandfather, Daniel Satchell, was also a native of 
that State, of English descent. The father, leaving 
the State where his father lived and died, moved to 



300 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Ohio, being an early settler of Richland Townshi]), 
where he improved a farm and built a nice brick 
house, in which he died in 1826. His wife, mother 
of our subject, was Eliza (Wilson) Satchell, a na- 
tive of Mar^'land, and the daughter of James Wil- 
son, the owner of a powder mill in Mar3'land, who 
subsequently died there. She reared a family of 
eleven children, all of wliom grew up, but only one 
son is now living, our subject, the eighth cliild. 
»She died at a somewhat advanced age. 

Our subject lived in the brick house referred 
to until eighteen years old, receiving a common- 
school education in the primitive log and slab 
house, and then drove to Illinois in the year 
1837, stopping in De Witt County, where he 
worked for a brother. lie was married on the 
4lh of March, 1841, in what is now Logan 
County, near Pulaski, to Miss Nancy Moore, born 
near London, in Madison County-, Ohio, the 
daughter of Nicholas Moore, born in Botetourt 
Count}', Va. Her father, Stephen, born in Eng- 
land, came to this country when a boy and lo- 
cated in tlie Old Dominion, where he was a farmer 
and a soldier in the Revolutionaiy War, and fin- 
ally ended his daj's tliere. Her father, was an 
early settler near Londrm, in Madison County, 
Ohio, and was a farmer and a soldier in the War of 
1812. In 1821 he started out to reach what was 
Sangamon County, now Logan, going on horse- 
back and by team, and reaching it he entered a 
large farm and proved a successful farmer. In the 
year 184.5, he came to Iowa, locating in Union 
Township, Poweshiek County, and buying one 
liundred and sixty acres, which he improved, and 
then died in 1846, at the age of sixty j'ears. Tlie 
mother of Mrs. Satchel! was Sarah Downing, born 
in Pennsylvania, a daughter of John Downing, 
a native of Mainland, who was a farmer in Penn- 
sylvania, and Madison County, Ohio. The mother 
died April 1), 1874, in Poweshiek Count}', Iowa. 

Nine children were horn to the parents of Mrs. 
Satchell, four sons and five daughters, four of 
them living, Mrs. Satchell being the fifth child. 
She was born March 24, 1818, and was reared and 
educated in Illinois. One of her brothers, Stephen 
R. Moore, enlisted in Company I, Thirteenth Iowa 
Regiment, and died at Jackson, Tenn., in 1863. 



Mrs. Satchell was taught carding, spinning, weav- 
ing, etc. In the fall of 1843, Mr. and Mrs. Satcliell 
started for Iowa, bringing in the wagon witii tliem 
two Berkshire pigs and liousehold goods, twenty- 
four sheep and two cows being driven. They 
crossed the Mississippi at Ft. Madison, wintered 
at Fairfield, and in the following March reached 
Poweshiek County, his brother having made a 
claim there in tlie fall of 1843. In February, 1844, 
our subject rode over on horseback to inspect the 
ground, when he took a claim, remaining all night 
with the Indians, sleeping in a tent with them. 
At this time the land was not divided into sec- 
tions, and stakes were set out by the north star. 
Later, when the country was properly surveyed, it 
became necessaiy to square up the farms, our sub- 
ject's property proving to be near the center of 
Union Township. His first house was made of 
small logs, 12x14 feet, with a mud and stick chim- 
ney, puncheon floors, a hole covered with a 
greased paper for a window, with doors and roof 
of clapsboards, and this was the third house built 
by a white man in Powesliiek Count}'. Thus our 
subject and his wife began pioneer life upon a 
claim of one hundred and sixty acres lietween 
Moon and Buck Creeks, near Forrest Home. Wild 
game then abounded, especially turkeys and deer. 
Provisions having given out, our subject had to 
goto Oskaloosa for a sujiply. He .and his family 
lived on this place for two or three years, when 
he sold out and entered eighty acres near what is 
now Brownsville, building a nice log house with 
a brick chimnej', basswood floor and gl.ass windows. 
To secure provisions he made two trips to the 
mill at Bonaparte, Iowa, one hundred miles dis- 
tant. He improved the tract with oxen, fenced 
it and trampled out his grain with liorses. 

In 1859, our subject sold his property and rented 
property near Dresden, this county, where he re- 
mained until the war broke out, when he enlisted, 
leaving his wife to manage the farm. The first 
coffin made in the county of Poweshiek was man- 
ufactured from lumber taken from the puncheon 
floor of this first cabin. Our subject volunteered 
in October, 1861, in Compan}' L Tliirteenth Iowa 
Infantry, and was mustered in at Davenport. 
He remained at Jefferson City until the spring of 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



301 



1862, when he took part in the battle of Shiloh, 
April 6 and 7, 1862; of Corintli, on the 4tii 
of October, 1862, in the siege of Vicksburg, forty- 
seven days in 1863; Kenesaw Mountain, in 1864; 
and Atlanta, July 22, 23 and 28. He was in Me 
Pherson's army corps in 1864; and Lovejoy, in 
August, 1864. The regiment next went to Alioona, 
then to Atlanta, on the way to which our sub- 
ject was accidentally wounded in the foot with a 
hatchet while cutting a sapling. He was sent to 
the hospital and thus missed going with Sherman 
on his march to the sea. He was in the hospital 
at Carthage, Nashville, Evansville, Mound City 
and St. Louis, being discharged in the latter place 
August II, 1865. Then he returned home and 
engaged in farming until 1874, when he located 
in Grinnell. The residence he now occupies was 
bought in the year 1890, and is located on South 
Park Street. Mr. and Mrs. Satchell were the par- 
ents of seven children, namely: William W., who 
enlisted in September, 1862, in the Twenty-eighth 
Iowa, Company- C, and had a relapse of measles, 
and, taken from Helena, Ark., to Jefferson Barracks, 
died there February' 2, 1863; Stephen R., a farmer 
in Sac County; Sarah E., who died in August, 1891, 
at Hastings, Neb., wife of Mr. Anderson; Leonidas 
W., proprietor of the Grinuell Transfer; Miles, 
a lumber dealer at Gardner, Kan.; Fannie, Mrs. 
Whittaker, who lives at Minneapolis; and Kate, the 
wife of Joseph M. Morris, a merchant tailor of 
Grinnell. 

Our subject was one of the organizers of the 
county, and he helped to build the first school- 
house of logs in Union Township. He is a charter 
member of Gordon Granger Post No. 64, G. A. R., 
and has been Sergeant since it was organized, 
with the exception of one year. Mr. and Mrs. 
Satchell are charter members of the Firs>t Method- 
ist Episcopal Church in the county. The first 
sermon was preached in his brother's house by 
Brother Ilard^', who lives at Brooklyn, in the year 
184 I. A place of worship was finally built and 
other churches have sprung up all over the 
county. Mrs. Satchell is an active member of the 
Ladies' Aid Society, and in other ways renders 
.issistance to the church. In the old days she 
was terribly afraid of the Indians, hut tliey 



never molested her. The first Sunday-school in 
the county was organized at the first house of our 
subject, his brother being Superintendent and 
Class-leader. Mr. Satchell was a Whig until 18r)4, 
when he became a Republican, to which party he 
is greatly attached, being frequently chosen as 
delegate to county and State conventions. 



OHN E. ADAMS, a well-known and pros- 
perous general agriculturist and extensive 
and successful breeder of high-grade Short- 
horn cattle, is one of the leading farmers 
of Johnson County, Iowa, and is pleasantly lo- 
cated upon section 32, Cedar Township, owning a 
homestead of three hundred and seventy-five 
acres all under a high state of cultivation. Sep- 
tember 15, 1833, our subject was born in Cuya- 
hoga County, Ohio, and was the son of John E. 
Adams, who had long made his home on the West- 
ern Reserve. The paternal ancestors were early 
colonists of New England, and in Maine both the 
grandfather, John E., and his son, John E., the 
father of our subject, were born. Father Adams 
was a carpenter by trade, and, emigrating to Ohio 
about 1823, settled in Cleveland, then a small 
town. He later purchased land near the city, 
upon which he located, and entered into tiie du- 
ties of agriculture. Not long after his arrival in 
the Bucke^'e State, ho made his home near the 
Erie Canal and received emplo3'ment in building 
locks and making needed improvements along the 
canal. Having been in earl3' days a Captain of 
militia, he was familiarl3' known as Capt. Ada'us. 
Politically a stanch Whig, and in religious be- 
lief a Universalist, Capt. Adams was a strong 
temperance man, and, upright in character, was 
respected and beloved, and when he passed awa\', 
March 4, 1889, was mourned by a host of friends. 
His excellent wife, Malinda (Bell) Adams, was 
born in Canada, from which portion of the Queen's 
dominions her parents removed to tiie United 
States. The maternal grandfather served with 



302 



PORTEAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



bravery in the War of 1812. The mother is 
still living and is a devout member of the Ciiris- 
tiaii Church. Of seven surviving children, our 
subject is the only son. Receiving a prei)aratory 
education in the district school, he taught school 
at sixteen years of age and afterward entered 
Hiram College, when James A. Garfield was a Pro- 
fessor in that well-known institution of learning. 
Beginning a course of study when he was about 
eighteen j'ears old, he spent three }-ears in Hiram 
College, and received a practical training in the 
business college at Twinsburgh, Ohio. When he 
attained his majority, being the only son, his fa- 
ther proposed that he shouhl share in the proceeds 
of the farm, and for the next six years father 
and son worked together. Our subject sold milk 
in the city of Cleveland, and remained upon the 
old homestead until 1863, when he removed to 
Putnam County, in western Ohio, purchased land 
near Belmore, and, remaining there nine years, 
improved the farm, which was situated in an al- 
most wilderness, well supplied with wild game. 
Mr. Adams relates that it was not uncommon then 
to see large herds of deer feeding, sometimes num- 
bering fifty head. 

In the spring of 1873 our subject emigrated to 
Ohio and purchased in Johnson County his pres- 
ent farm, whose entire acreage is now under culti- 
vation and thoroughly drained and well watered. 
At present the herd of Shorthorns fed is large, 
and has returned the past seasons most profitable re- 
sults. Everything about the homestead is in per- 
fect order and indicates the thrifty i)rosperity and 
excellent management of the broad acres. De- 
cember 1, 18.59, John E. Adams and Miss Jemima 
Powell, a native of the Western Reserve, Ohio, 
were united in marriage. The father of Mrs. 
Adams w.as a prominent citizen and a native of 
Berkshire County, Mass. He filled the ottice of 
Justice of Peace with ability, and after an honor- 
able and useful career passed away at seventy-six 
years of age. The mother, Cynthia (Crooks) 
Powell, was born in Warren, Mahoning County, 
Ohio, September 10, 1799, and was the first white 
female child born in the Western Reserve. Her 
father was a genuine frontiersman, and came into 
that country with the surveyors when it was 



being laid out into sections. He experienced 
many hardships shared b}' his familj', and the 
mother of Mrs. Adams grew up amid pioneer 
scenes and died at sixty-seven years of age. 

Mrs. Adams went to the nearest district school 
during childhood, and later attended an academy at 
Aurora, Ohio, finally completing her studies in 
Hiram College. She is a lad}' of refinement and 
culture, and occupies a high social position. The 
home of our subject has been blessed b}' the 
birth of six children, of whom the following sur- 
vive. Cora J., wife of Jared Brown, an enter- 
prising farmer of the township, is the eldest 
of the family; Etliie L. is the wife of Alonzo 
Brown; and Harry D., the only son, is at home. 
Those deceased are Cadiz F., Emory D. and Birdie. 
The son and daughters have enjo^'ed excellent 
opportunities for an education, and the sisters 
have both taught school. Mr. Adams is a stanch 
Republican and deeply interested in the success 
of his party, but is no office-seeker, his time being 
fully occupied with his own private business. He 
is, however, prominent in the councils of the 
party, and has served npon the Republican Cen- 
tral Committee. Mr. and Mrs. Adams are valued 
members of the Church of God, and liberally as- 
sist in the promotion of good works. They and 
their intelligent son and daughters enjoy the 
full confidence and high regard of a wide circle 
of friends, and have long been leaders in social 
and benevolent enterprises of their home local- 
ities. 



)ENJAMIN F. WORTMAN. Among the rep- 
resentative farmers and intluential men of 
i(i^)l1l Washington Township, Poweshiek Count}', 
our subject ranks among the first. His val- 
uable farm of two hundred and forty acres, which 
is all in one body, is situated on sections 2 and 11^ 
and here he raises hogs and cattle in addition to 
carr}'ing on general farming. In 1887, he erected 
a modern commodious frame dwelling, and thiee 
years previously built a large and substantial barn. 




■^%- I 




ki^i/^ 



i/t 



't4Uyi^^ 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



305 



Beginning life with very limited means, and even 
at the time of his marriage having but $10 in 
cash, he has steadily worked his way to the top, 
undaunted by the many obstacles he has encount- 
ered in the journey of life. 

On the paternal side, o\w subject's grandfather 
emigrated from Germany to the United vStates. 
His son, Benjamin, father of our subject, was a 
farmer in Morgan County, Ohio, in the early days, 
and cleared a farm of one hundred and sixty-eight 
acres in the wilderness. He died in the faith of 
the Methodist Church, of which he was an influen- 
tial member and a Class-leader, at the time of his 
demise being seventy-eight years of age. He was 
first a Democrat, and in later life became a Whig. 
His wife was before her marriage Miss Martha 
Strong, a native of the Old Dominion. Siie was 
of Irish descent, her grandfather having emigrated 
to this couutr}' from Ireland. Slie reared a family 
of ten children to manhood and womanhood, and 
was called to her final rest when fifty-four years 
of age. Like her husband, she was a devoted 
member of the Methodist Church, and was in ever}' 
respect a thoroughly amiable and lovable Chris- 
tian character. 

Benjamin F. Wortman of this sketch was the 
seventh child of his father's family, and passed 
his boyhood days on the old homestead in the lit- 
tle-settled wilderness of Morgan County, where 
his birth occurred October 23, 1828. His educa- 
tional privileges were those of the early subscrip- 
tion log schoolhouse, with its slab benches and 
desks placed along the wall. When twenty-two 
years of age, lie engaged in carrying on the home- 
stead place on shares, and since that time has 
made his own way. On Januarj' 15, 1853, a mar- 
riage ceremony was performed which united his for- 
tunes with those of Miss Sarah A. Smiley, who was 
born in Washington County, Pa., November 24, 
1833. Three children blessed their union: Addi- 
son C, who died when seventeen years of age; 
Clara and William I. 

In 1854, Mr. Wortman removed to Illinois, and 
became one of the early settlers of Henry County, 
where he rented land for fourteen years. In 1868, 
coming Westward, he purchased one hundred and 
twenty acres in this township, which he engaged 

U 



in cultivating for five years, and then traded 
that farm for one of one hundred and sixty acres. 
With this for a nucleus, he succeeded so well that he 
afterward added adjoining propert}', until his farm 
comprised three hundred and twenty acres within 
its boundaries, all of which he placed under excel- 
lent cultivation. He has since given an eighty- 
acre tract to his daughter, and still has an ample in- 
come for the remainder of his life. He carries on 
mixed farming, raising numbers of hogs and cattle. 
In Grinnell, Mr. Wortman owns a house and one 
acre of ground, which is valued at $2,000. His 
success in a financial way has been truly merited, 
for he has brought to bear all his native qualities 
of persevering energy, and has never been afraid 
of hard work. Both himself and family arc much 
respected, and move in the best social circles of 
the neighborhood. Mrs. Wortman is a valued 
member of the Christian Union Church, and polit- 
ically our subject is a supporter of the Democratic 
party. 






R. JOHN BRLCKER, one of the most en- 
terprising, energetic and skillful of the 
pioneer physicians of Iowa, now retired 
from the active duties of his profession, 
finds daily occupation in the able management of 
his valuable farm, located upon section" 14, Hart- 
ford Township, Iowa County. Trained to agri- 
cultural labor from early youth, he is an adept in 
the tilling of the soil, and as a stock-raiser has 
made an enviable record in the handling of thor- 
oughbred Hereford cattle and standard-bred trot- 
ting horses. Both as a family physician and as 
a public-spirited citizen our subject has been inti- 
matel}' associated with the growth of enterprise 
and local improvement in Iowa County for almost 
two-score years, and no man to-day stands higher 
in the esteem and genuine affection of the public 
than the faithful friend, who through storm or 
sunshine answered the call of the sick and dying 
and was ever the same, hopeful, helpful and en- 
couraging. 



306 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Our subject was born in Mansfield, Ohio, July 
6, 1831, and was a son of Jacob Bricker, a native 
of Marjiand, and a farmer by occupation. lie 
came to Ohio in a very early day and settled in 
Richland Count}', locating in the heavy timber, 
which he had partially cleared from his land before 
1839, in which year he died. The mother, Sophia 
Gongwere, was a native of Penusylyania, and sur- 
viving her husband, passed away in 1860. She 
was twice married and by her first union became 
the mother of eight children, of whom John 
was the second in order of birth. By her second 
husband the mother of our subject had no children. 

Dr. Bricker was reared upon a farm and attended 
the little log schoolhouse in the woods, and sat 
upon the slab seats that furnished the rude inte- 
rior. Tlie puncheon floor echoed to the tread of 
many feet which in after life found the upward 
way to prosperity and wealth. A little more 
than three months after his father's death, in 
1839, our subject began to work for a farmer in 
Richland County, and although only eight years 
of age was a successful bread-winner, receiving 
his board and §3 per month for weary days 
of toil. At twelve years of age Dr. Bricker went 
to Fostoria, Ohio (then called Rome), and worked 
for Charles Foster, the late Secretary of the United 
States Treasury. Our subject clerked in a store 
for some 3'ears and when about seventeen entered 
Heidelburg College, at Tiffin, Ohio, where he re- 
mained four years, receiving the full benefit of an 
extended and thorough course of instruction. 

Having completed his studies and left college, 
Dr. Bricker read medicine in Fostoria, Ohio, with 
Drs. S. and J. W. Bricker, afterward graduating 
from the Eclectic Medical College, of New York 
City. In 1854, a full-fledged phj-sician, our sub- 
ject came to Iowa, and, locating in Iowa Countj', 
purchased his present farm, and settling upon his 
land began the practice of his profession. Physi- 
cians in those da3'S were not as plentiful in the 
country districts as they are now, and although 
Dr. Bricker was j'et young in years and experience 
he soon had a large and successful practice, ex- 
tending many miles in different directions. Some- 
times obliged to ride tvventy or thirty miles from 
his liume to answer one call, the Doctor frequently 



had strange adventures and saw as he passed 
along upon horseback large droves of deer and an 
immense amount and variety of game, with which 
Iowa at that time abounded. 

After about thirty years of hard professional 
work, day and night, in pleasant weathei or winter 
cold, our subject resigned the practice of medicine 
and gave his entire attention to the six hundred 
and fiftj' broad acres whose culture he had ener- 
getically managed throughout the wearing toil 
of other duties. Since 1885 Dr. Bricker has taken 
life somewhat more easily than of yore, but has 
ambitiously devoted himself with most prosper- 
ous results to stock-raising, and conducts the model 
farm of the county. 

Our subject was, in 18.")C, united in marriage 
with Miss Mary C. Shedenhelm, of Oliid. This 
estimable lad}' survived her marriage hut a short 
time, passing away in 1858 and leaving to the fa- 
ther's care one son. Prof. Charles M. Bricker, a 
graduate of the State Universit}' of Iowa and a 
Director of the Iowa City Musical Conservator}'. 
Prof. Bricker is a talented gentleman, of superior 
musical abilit}', and has enjoyed instruction in the 
musical conservatories of Boston and Chicago. 
Dr. Bricker married a second time, in 1868, then 
wedding Miss E. J. Shedenhelm, a sister of his 
first wife. The pleasant home has since been 
blessed by the birth of six sons and one daughter, 
of whom three now survive: L. J., Isaac and 
Rush. These children, like the elder brother, will be 
well fitted for the battle of life with all tlie advan- 
tages an excellent education so liberally bestows. 
Mrs. Bricker has long been a valued member of 
the Methodist Protestant Church and is active in 
good works and religious enterprise. 

Fraternally, our subject has for twenty-five 
years been a member of the order of Free Masons, 
and, politically, nearly half a century ago cast his 
vote for Fremont, thus inaugurating his since con- 
tinued fidelity to the Republican parly. A zeal- 
ous worker ever in behalf of the party of reform, 
he has never sought or desired office. Financially 
prospered, the Doctor takes great pride in the 
fine colts which are sent from his homestead to 
some of the best farms in the country, and believes 
that in improving the stock of the State he is sub- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



307 



stantially aiding in tlie progress of one of the 
leading interests of the West. Many years have 
corae and gone since the young ph3'sician, full of 
hope and courage, began his honored career in the 
Western wilds, and in this period the good he has 
accomplished may not be measured by the casual 
eye, for the family physician, like the priest and 
pastor, must often aid not only to heal the body, 
hut the mind as well. 



l^^^ ETKR ROHRET, our subject, is one of the 
Jlj many German-Americans whose industry-, 
1 1*^ integrit}' and success in life attest the sturdy 
I \ and reliable character of the Teutonic race. 
After a life of arduous toil he now lives in ease 
and comfort, reaping the reward of his merit. 
Mr. Rohret was born in the kingdom of Bavaria, 
Germany, February 2, 1829, his father being 
Wolfgang Rohret, a Bavarian, who came to Amer- 
ica in 1840 and proceeded direct to Johnson Coun- 
ty, Iowa, settling in what is now Union Town- 
ship, where he bought a small claim, built a small 
log cabin and resided until his death, which occurred 
at the age of sixty-nine. Catharine Shcllhorn, 
the mother of our subject, also a native of (Ger- 
many, came to Johnson County with her husband 
and died here at the age of eighty-one. She ^\ as 
the mother of five children, all of them living, 
four sons and one daughter. 

Our subject is the third son, and was in iiis 
eleventh year when he came to Johnson County 
with his parents; here he attended the log cabin 
school and worked upon his father's farm until 
he married for the first time, the name of his wife 
being Margaret Mehrlein, a native of Germany, 
who bore him four children, all living; they were 
married April 21, 1857, and she died April 27, 1887. 
The names of the children are: George L., of 
Union Township; Louisa C, wife of George Her- 
ring, living one mile from Creston, in Union 
County; Frank V., of Union Township; and Mary 



M.,wife of John Kelley,of Union County. Mr. Roh- 
ret moved upon a farm in Union Township the 
same year that he married, improved the property, 
and lived upon it until 1889, when he letired 
and settled in Iowa City. 

Se[)tember 23, 1888, our subject married again, 
the name of his wife being Mary K. (Deckelman) 
Herring, widow of Henry Herring, a native of Ba- 
varia, Germany, who married, in 1845, Henry Her- 
ring, a native of Hanovei, Germany, who came 
to Johnson County in 1839 and died here in 1883. 
The present Mrs. Rohret was born April 14, 1827, 
and had four children by Mr. Herring. George 
married Lousia C. Rohret, and lives in Union 
Township; William L. married Belle Humphrey, 
and lives in Dallas County, Tex.; Frank H. mar- 
ried Esther Johnson, and lives on the old home- 
stead; Jessie M., wife of Wilbur Carson, lives in 
North English, Iowa County. 

Mrs. Rohret owns a farm of three hundred and 
seventy-one acres, her homestead, in Union Town- 
ship, while our subject owns two hundred and 
seventy-three acres in Union and Hardin Town- 
ships. They are both consistent members of the 
Catholic Church, in which faith they were brought 
up. In politics he is a Democrat, and has been 
called upon to fill a number of offices, all of which 
ha filled creditably. He was a member of the 
Board of Supervisors for six years, was Assessor, 
Trustee, Constable, Road Supervisor and School 
Director. At one time he was President of the 
Farmers' Mutual Insurance Association, and at 
another time Director, being now a member of 
that organization. Mr. and Mrs. Rohret have a 
handsome residence at No. 330 Van Buren Street, 
Iowa City. 



ILLIAM L. BUXTON. It has been noted 
by more than one keen observer of human 
nature, that the life of the most obscure 
individual, if truthfully told, would be both in- 
teresting and instructive, and this observation 



308 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



applies with more tlian ordinary force to the lives 
of those who have braved danger, endured suffer- 
ing, and when the time of trial has passed by, have 
quietly settled down, making so little account 
of their past sufferings, that the world around 
is apt to forget the debt owing them. In the life 
of our subject have been experiences which not even 
the pen of the faithful biographer can properly 
place before the public. lie was born in Wells, Som- 
ersetshire, England, March 31, 1841, both his grand- 
father, John Buxton, and his father, James Bux-. 
ton, having been born in the same place. The latter 
was a butter and cheese manufacturer in his native 
country, but in 1854 he came to America, finally 
locating in Williamston, Ingham County, Mich., 
where he bought land and engaged in farming, 
residing there at the present time, at the age of 
eighty-two years, an honored member of the Bap- 
tist Church. 

The mother, Emma (Weeks) Buxton, was a 
daughter of John Weeks, a native of England, 
born in the same shire as was Mr. Buxton, and her 
death occurred at Williamston, Mich. She left a 
family of nine children, seven of whom are yet 
living, our subject being the third, and a twin of 
Hannah. Edwin grew up in England, became a 
soldier in the (^Jueen's Guards, and fought through 
the Crimean War as a Sergeant. He was engaged 
in the battle at Balaklava, where he was wounded 
by a bayonet thrust in the chin, after which he cut 
down three Russians. He was a fine fencer and 
swordsman, and fought his way and helped to win 
for the regiment the reputation which it will hold 
for all time. After tiie war was over he was pre- 
sented with a medal for his bravery. Later, he 
came to America, and resides at Deep River, 
Poweshiek County, Iowa. 

Our subject was reared in Wells, England, until 
he was ten years of age, at which time he accom- 
panied his uncle, Joseph Vowles, to the United 
States. They left Liverpool on the "City of Glas- 
gow" in 1851, and, after a passage of nineteen 
days, landed in Philadelphia, and went from there 
to Skaneateles, N. Y., where his uncle had located on 
the fine lake. Here our subject went to school, 
and later entered the High School, remaining 
xintil the opening of the war, August 28, 1862, he 



enlisted in Company F, One Hundred and Twenty- 
second New York Infantry, and was mustered into 
the service at Sj'racuse, N. Y., and sent South 
thirty daj's later. He participated in the battles 
of Burketsville, South Mountain, Antietam, the 
Srst and second battles of Fredericksburg, Chan- 
cellorsville, Gettysburg, battle of the Wilderness, 
and Spottsylvania Court House, May 12, 18()4. 

On this field of carnage our subject was fright- 
fully wounded in the left lung, and was left on 
the field for eight hours, and during all this time 
fighting was going on over the mangled soldiers. 
As if he were not suffering enough, a shell ex- 
ploded so near that it badly wounded his hi[>, 
back and left foot, and so excruciating was the 
pain, that Nature came to his relief, and he merci- 
fully became unconscious. Thus he was removed 
from the field and taken to the hospital, where lie 
received treatment as soon as his turn came. He 
suffered the amputation of one toe, and later was 
sent to the hospital at Washington, where he was 
obliged to remain for sixteen months. He received 
good treatment, and was mustered out in October, 
1865. After the war, our subject returned to his 
uncle's home in New York, but later went to De- 
troit, Midi., where he entered the commercial 
college of Bryant & Stratton, from which he grad- 
uated, and at once became book-keeper for the 
Michigan Central Railroad for the following 
two years. From this situation he went into the 
Detroit Car Manufacturing Company as chief of 
a car department, but here his health gave out. 

In 1869 our subject bought eighty acres of land 
at Deep River, in this county, and engaged in 
farming and cattle feeding. Here he entered into 
great improvements as his health became better, 
erected a fine residence, and put in a very large 
windmill. He boughtinore land, and now has oncof 
the best farms of three hundred acres in the 
county. In the fall of 1H'.I2 he was elected to 
the office of County Auditor, and removed to this 
city, where he has a fine residence. In 1866 he 
was married in Detroit to Miss Mattic Hall, a na- 
tive of Huntingdonshire, England, a daughter of 
Joseph Hall, who came to America and located in 
Cleveland, Ohio, where he became a large mer- 
chant. He married Jemima Stokes, who died in 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



311 



1846. Mrs. Buxton was reared from the .age of six 
years in Cleveland, then in Chicago and later in 
Detroit. Three children have been born to Mr. 
and Mrs. Buxton: Frederick, located on the home 
farm; Albertus; and Aloert, deceased. 

Our subject is a very prominent and active 
member of the AVisner Post, G. A. R., and in poli- 
tics has been an ardent Republican. He believes 
in upholding the principles for which he fought 
and suffered so much, and insists that that party 
best reflects them. His efliciency has been recog- 
nized by his party and he has been frequently 
sent iis a delegate to conventions. He has been a 
member of the County' Central Committees several 
times. For many 3-ears he h.as been a member of 
the Presbyterian Church, and was a Trustee and an 
Elder while he lived in Deep River, and also was 
the valued Superintendent of the Sunday-school. 



\I/„^^ON. DAVID A. PRATT, the popular, effici- 
[[jy ent and enterprising Mayor of Solon,. John- 
/■y^^ son County, Iowa, has long been a leading 
(^; citizen of the State and, having with able 
fidelity discharged the duties of various offices of 
trust, w.as in 1892 elected to the honored chair of 
the Chief Executive of his home city. Intimately 
associated with the growth and progress of John- 
son County, and a prominent factor in educational 
advancement, our subject has labored unweariedly 
in behalf of public good, and in giving to the work 
in hand earnest eflfort, practical ability and excellent 
judgment, has achieved the best of results and en- 
jo.ys the worthily earned esteem and confidence of 
his fellow-townsmen. David A. Pratt is a native 
of New England and was born in Temple, Me., 
August 22, 1824. His father. Cotton T. Pratt, 
emigrated from the State of his nativity. New 
Hampshire, to Maine, when he was a ver3' young 
man. and marrying in his new home there engaged 
in his trade, that of a tanner and harness-maker. 
In 1836, with his wife and children, he removed to 



Ohio, and located in Cuyahoga County, settling 
upon a farm about twelve miles from Cleveland. 
After spending four j'ears in that locality busily 
pursuing the tilling of the soil. Father Pratt de- 
cided to make his future residence in Iowa. 

Upon January 10, 1840, the family departed for 
their new home in the then Far West. Journey- 
ing by team, they arrived at their destination in 
Big Grove Township, Johnson County, February 
10, having been just one month upon the way. 
The father, mother, three sons and three daughters 
were all glad to reach the end of their journey', 
the boys having walked much of the distance and 
the entire family being tired out with the weari- 
some trip. This section of the countrj', purchased 
of the Indians the year before, had not yet experi- 
enced the effects of civilization, and the surround- 
ing neighborliood was mainly in its primitive con- 
dition. A son-in-law of Father and Mother Pratt 
had previously visited this locality and purchased 
a log cabin, which now hospitably received the 
new-comers. Within a week Father Pratt, who was 
but fifty-two years of age, sickened and died, leav- 
ing the burden of care upon his wife and elder 
children. The mother, Fanny (Averill) Pratt, was 
a native of Maine, and a woman of courage and 
resolution, and with her children located upon the 
Iowa laud, and carrying out the purpose of her 
deceased husband made this place her future home. 
Building a larger log house, the mother and chil- 
dren lived there, and at the [iroper time designated 
by Government bought the homestead with money 
hardly earned and carefully saved l)y great priva- 
tions and self-denial. 

The boundaries of the Indian Reservation were 
but sixteen miles distant, and the red men were 
frequent visitors to the cabin of the Pratts. Wild 
game, especially deer, was plentiful, and wolves 
and other fierce animals abounded in the woods 
and upon the open prairies. Our subject was the 
eldest of the three sons and took his father's place 
in the management of affairs. With the patient 
ox-teams the land was broken and gradually year 
by year 3'ielded acre b^' acre to a high state of 
cultivation. Mrs. Pratt, an earnest, intelligent 
woman, thoroughly devoted to the present and 
future interests of her children, and keenly alive 



312 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



to the advantages of an education, removed to 
Iowa Citj' in 1847, that the younger sons and 
daughters might enjoy better facilities for school- 
ing. She afterward lived in Iowa County a few 
3'ears, and finally went back to the old homestead 
in Cedar Township, and there passed away at 
eigiity-two years of age, May 13, 1879. This 
venerable pioneer had been a devout member of 
the Methodist Ei)iscopal Church nearly all her life, 
and liaving endured with patient and uncomplain- 
ing fortitude the hard labor and privations of 
early daj's, entered into rest with the blessed as- 
surance of immortalit}' and the hope of a glorious 
resurrection. The following children were born 
to her and her husband: Julia A., David A., 
C'liarles, Albert W., Rebecca M., Susan A. and 
Greanlief W., the last three being triplets. One 
son died upon his way to the West, and one child 
passed away in Iowa. 

Our subject attended the log schoolhouse near- 
est the Ohio homestead during the winter months, 
and a few years before his mother went to Iowa 
City he went there and worked for his board 
morning and evening and attended a private 
school three months, at the expiration of this 
period hiring out by the year for $50 per annum. 
During the summer he was attacked by ague 
and was laid up for two months. After his re- 
covery he was variously employed until the next 
spring, at which time he went to Wisconsin and 
worked in the lead mines for four years. While 
employed in Wisconsin, Mr. Pratt was, in 1848, 
united in marriage with Rachel M. McCarmac, 
born in Ohio May 18, 1827. The McCarmacs 
early emigrated to Iowa, and later made their 
home in Wisconsin. In 1848 Mr. and Mrs. Pratt 
removed to Iowa, and settled upon the old home- 
stead in Cedar Township, and within a year pur- 
chased ninety acres at about %2.50 per acre. Three 
3'ears afterward our subject sold this acreage for 
$400, and bought eighty acres of Government 
land at $1.25 per acre. Seven years later, having 
broken and fenced the land, he received $20 per 
acre for his last purchase, and about this time 
made a visit in Wisconsin to the family of his wife. 

In 1859 Mr. Pratt engaged in the mercantile 
business in Solon, in partnership, with his brotiier 



Charles, and during this year bought a small farm 
adjoining the town, for which he paid $800, and a 
few years later disposed of it, including the crop 
and giving immediate possession, for $2,400. In 
the fall of the .same year our subject purchased one 
hundred and seventy acres close b3' the edge of 
Solon, and afterward sold seventy acres, having 
paid $2,800 for the one hundred acres he retained. 
In 1872 he sold this farm for $5,000, and in 1890 
the same piece of property was re-sold for $4,500. 
In 1872 Mr. Pratt and his family removed to 
Nebraska, and located in Cedar Count3', but after 
remaining there nine months returned to Solon, 
where our subject established a lumber 3'ard and 
actively continued in this line of business until 
1890, a period of sixteen years. Among the other 
real-estate transactions in which our subject enter- 
prisingly engaged, was the purchase in 1881 of 
one hundred and twent3'-two and a-half acres of 
land on section 36, Big Grove Township, which 
property he still holds. Sixt3'-eight acres bought 
in 1887 for $2,400 were sold by him in 1891 for 
$3,600. In 1891 Mr. Pratt bought Rogers' Addi- 
tion to Solon, containing one hundred lots, pa3'ing 
for it $1,200, and has since disposed of a number 
of the lots advantageousl3-. Aside from his other 
real-estate, he owns and resides upon an addition 
near Solon of twenty finel3- improved acres, con- 
taining substantial improvements and rapidly in- 
creasing in value. 

Seven children have blessed the pleasant home 
of our subject and his estimable wife. The eldest, 
Julia C, is deceased. Fanny E. is the wife of 
Nicholas F. Kessler, of Big Grove Township, sec- 
tion 36, and is the mother of two children; OUa R. 
is the wife of Osborn L. Templeman, a prosper- 
ous farmer of Cedar Count3', Neb., and is the mo- 
ther of eight sons and daughters; Orpha May is 
the wife of William Bush, of Ponca, Neb., and has 
two children; Annie, formerly a teacher, now mar- 
ried to DeWitt Connell3', a resident of Clermont, 
Iowa, and an agent of the Burlington, Cedar 
Rapids ife Northern Railwa3', also has two children; 
Adda S., wife of Michael S. Shircliff, has a fainil3- 
of two children and lives in Solon; Charles A., who 
married Januar3' 30, 1892, Anna Jei)sen, makes his 
home in Wellsbuigh, Iowa, and is the agent of the 



PORTRAIT AND BlOGRAPH'CAL RECORD. 



313 



Burlington, Cedar Rapids A Northern Railway'. 
The eldest daughter, Julia, was the wife of George 
Adams, but died leaving two children, whom our 
subject reared, Frank E. and Oua O. Adams. The 
former is the editor of the Solon News, and the 
latter is a brakeman on the railroad. Tlie sons 
and daughters have all received excellent educa- 
tional advantages and now worthily occupy high 
social |)Ositioiis of influence and usefulness. Dur- 
ing his residence of more than a half-century in 
Iowa, our subject lias been an eye-witness to the 
wonderful growth and rapid advancement of his 
adopted State and has collected a store of interest- 
ing reminiscences. 

In the fall of 1842, when there was talk of open- 
ing up the Indian Lands, Mr. Pratt, in company 
with seven others, went about one hundred and 
twenty-five miles to the Westward to examine the 
country, and, proceeding leisurely, hunted along the 
Iowa River or floated down the stream in a huge 
canoe they liad manufactured from a large walnut 
tree. Camping out, tiiey had opportunities of 
gathering wild honey, and had nearly a barrel full, 
when tliey met a large party of Indians, who in- 
sisted upon a gift of the honej', which was reluct- 
antly turned over to them. The ox-team which 
had brought our party to the Iowa River had been 
sent back home, and in the meantime a report had 
circulated in the settlements tliat one of the ex- 
plorers had been killed, and the continued absence 
of Mr. Pratt and tiie others so alarmed the neigh- 
bors that a searching part}' was about to go in 
quest of them, when they all returned safe and 
sound, but minus the honey. Upon November 10, 
1842, a deep snow fell in eastern Iowa, and our 
subject, then about eighteen 3'ears old, had gone to 
Cedar Bluffs to earn the money to buy his winter 
clothing, and had purchased a pair of boots, which 
were too small. After the snow had fallen he went 
out to gatlier corn, wearing the shoes, and froze 
iiis feet so badly that he was laid up till the fol- 
lowing March, and since has made it a rule to 
gather his corn while the October sun shines. 

Politically, our subject is a Democrat and an 
earnest supporter of the party. For three succes- 
sive terms, six years, he served as Township Trus- 
tee, and was ever faithful in the promotion of local 



enterprise and improvements. For twelve years a 
valued member of the School Board, he devoted 
himself to securing a higher grade of scholarship 
and instruction in his home locality. Elected Mayor 
in Jlarcii, 1892, he has with dignified ability and 
honor labored for the best interests of the general 
public and, a man of the people, self-reliant, up- 
right and industrious, having amassed a comfort- 
able competence by honest toil, is worthily entitled 
to a liigh place among the true representative 
American citizens of to-daj'. 



m>^r^<^ 



^ APT. H. V. HOWARD, whose military rec- 
ord of brave and gallant service in the 



e 



Civil War has not been forgotten, is now 
one of the most able and successful legal practi- 
tioners of Iowa County, Iowa, and, thoroughly 
possessing the confidence of his fellow-citizens, is 
at present efficiently serving his eleventh term as 
Mayor of the flourishing town of Victor. Capt. 
Howard is a native of the Empire State and was 
born in Brighton, Monroe County, N. Y., Novem- 
ber 14, 1844. The paternal great-grandfather, 
Uriah Howard, was born in London, but early 
emigrated from England and settled in Massa- 
chusetts, where the paternal grandfather, John 
Howard, and the father, John Q. A. Howard, were 
born. The Howards took an active part in the 
struggles of the Revolution, and Grandfather 
Howard, leaving his trade of carpenter and joiner, 
became a captain of Light Artillery and served 
with distinguished bravery in behalf of national 
independence. This veteran of 1776 died in New 
York, where he had located late in life. 

The father of our subject was one of three sons. 
His life was mainly spent as a flour merchant at 
Rochester, but emulating his father's patriotic ex- 
ample he entered the service of the (Jovernment, 
and as Captain of Light Artillery in the Mexican 
War cheered his men on to victory. Afterwards 
continuing his residence in Rochester, N. Y., he 
became one of the most prominent citizens, and 



314 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



was a City Aldermau and member of the Council 
for several years. Dying at fiftj-'three years of 
age, in 1867, his death was mourned as a public 
loss and he was remembered by all as a man of 
unusual abilit3' and sterling integrity of cliaracter. 
The mother, Charlotte N. Dunson, was born in 
Roxbury, Conn., and died in 1888, at seventy- 
tliree years of age. Her family were of earlj" New 
England ancesti-y, her father, John Dunson, being 
also a native of Connecticut. John Dunson was 
one of the heroes of the Mexican War, serving as 
Major in the same. The mother of our subject 
was twice married, and had by her first husband 
three children. Her second husband was S. D. 
Ludden, to whom slie bore one child, yet surviv- 
ing. 

Capt. Howard was reared in Rochester and at- 
tended school regularly from an earl3' age until 
shortlj- after he had completed his fifteenth year, 
at which time the war broke out and the gallant 
lad hastened to offer his aid to the Government 
with the ardor inborn and- a direct heritage of 
patriotic ancestry. Leaving school he enlisted 
upon May 4, 1861, in Company D, Fourteenth 
New York Infantry, for two years. During this 
period he activel}' participated in the first battle 
of Bull Run, Yorktown, Williamsburgh, Meclian- 
icsville, Gaines' Mill, Seven Day Fight, Malvern 
Hill and Harrison Landing. The command then re- 
turned to Washington and took part in the second 
l)attle of Bull Run, and were engaged at Antie- 
tara and Frcdericksburgh. Gen. Hooker then 
ordered them to Chancellorsville, where the regi- 
ment was in the thick of the fight. The Four- 
teentli New York Infantry was discharged upon 
the 5th of Ma^r, 1863, its term of service hav- 
ing expired. Lnmedlately after tlie discharge of 
tlie regiment, our subject raised Companj' L, of the 
Eighth New York Heavy Artillery, and, commis- 
sioned Captain, joined his command at Baltimore. 
His company were fii'St engaged in the figlit at 
North Ann River, then followed the battles of 
.Spottsylvania, Cold Harbor, in which latter battle 
Capt. Howard, at the head of his men, was 
wounded in the hip bj" a bayonet and in the shoulder 
by a shell, and was sent to Annapolis, Md.,and dis- 
charged from the service in August, 1864. Return- 



ing home with his courage undiminished by his nar- 
row escapes upon the field, Capt. Howard set zeal- 
ously to work, and locating in Lockport, raised the 
Thirt3--fiftli Light Artillery' and was sent to Hart's 
Island, N. Y., and from there to Washington, D.C., 
and remained in the works until the surrender of 
Lee. 

Our subject holds three commissions, one as 
First Lieutenant and two as Captain. When he re- 
ceived the shell wound in the shoulder he had for 
a long time to carrj^ his arm in a sling and afterward 
was wounded just above the left eye. The war 
ended, Capt. Howard spent one 3'ear in the oil 
regions of Pennsylvania, and in 1867 came to 
Iowa, locating in Marengo, Iowa County, and soon 
after entered a law office and began his legal 
studies. Admitted to the Bar March 6, 1871, our 
subject practiced one year in Marengo and then 
came to Victor, where he has been prosperously 
engaged in professional duties ever since. Capt. 
Howard was married in September, 1872, to 
Miss Mary J. Miller, a native of Iowa Cit3', John- 
son County, and a daughter of .Judge John Miller, 
a Virginian by birth but an early pioneer of Iowa, 
locating in this Western State in 1841. He served 
with dignified efliciencj' as Probate Judge of Iowa 
County, and is now residing in Florida. The 
mother of Mrs. Howard died in 188.5. She was an 
estimable lady of culture and was deeply mourned 
by a large circle of friends. Mr. and Mrs. Howard 
are the parents of two children, Bessie M. and 
Ned C, who are enjoying the advantages which 
will fit them worthily to fill positions of honor 
and inlluence. 

Fraternally our subject wears the button of the 
Grand Army of the Republic, and is Commander 
of his Post. He is also a member of the Indepen- 
dent Order of Odd Fellows, and numbers a host 
of friends within the order. As a public man 
he has faithfully served his constituents at vari- 
ous State and county conventions and, a member 
of the School Board, has given earnest and effica- 
cious aid in behalf of the upward progress and 
rapid advancement of the schools of the county. 
In his official capacity as Maj'or it is safe to .say 
that no more popular executive ever presided ovei- 
the welfare of a cit}' than our subject, who has 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



317 



been honored Iw a constant return to office, and 
who is ever the same in private and public life, 
energetic, earnest, able, and conscientiousl}- de- 
voted to each interest intrusted to his care. 



if? EMUEL B. PATTERSON is justly num- 
one of the enterprising business men 
prominent lawyers of Iowa Cit^-, and 
is junior member of the well-known law firm of 
Robinson & Patterson. Our subject was born in 
Uushville, Rush Count}-, Ind., September 24, 1824, 
and was the second son and foui-th child of Peter 
H. and Elizabeth Patterson, who reared a famil}- of 
eight children, four sons and four daughters. The 
father was of Scotch ancestry, his birth having oc- 
curred in Virginia, while his wife, who was of Ger- 
man origin, was born in Pennsylvania. Her maiden 
name was Elizabeth Bausman, her parents having 
emigrated from near Strasburg, Germany, in an 
early day and located in Lancaster, Pa. Both 
Peter H. and his wife,Elizabeth, were reared to ma- 
turity' in Pittsburgh, and a short time after marriage 
they emigrated Westward, stopping for a time 
near Cincinnati, Ohio, whence they removed to 
Rushville, Ind., where our subject was born. In 
1826 the parents removed to Covington, in the 
same State, where they resided until Ai)ril 6, 1841, 
at which time they started for Iowa, making the 
journey by teams. 

While a resident of Covington, Peter Patterson 
was engaged in the practice of law, in which he was 
quite successful, and for a short time after coming 
to this State he continued to practice his profession 
in |)artnership with his son-in-law, the Hon., James 
1*. Carleton, who was elected to the Judgeship of 
tiie Fourth Judicial District, which then extended 
from Iowa City to Des Moines. He was an earnest 
supporter of education, doing all in his power to 
start schools and colleges. He labored zealously 
in those earl}' days to start a Methodist college in 
Iowa City, and was the one who first directed the 
citizens to claim from the State the location of the 



State University in compensation for the loss of 
the State capital. As soon as it was apparent to 
him that the removal of the latter was certain, he 
at once started a petition to be presented to the 
General Assembly, and by this aroused the indig- 
nation of many of the citizens of this place, who 
declared they would not be satisfied with anything 
less than the capital. He, however, continued se- 
curing names of many of the most thoughtful and 
far-sighted ones, and then presented the same to the 
Legislature, which finally passed an act in accord- 
ance with the prayer of the petitioners. 

After the Patterson family removed to Iowa CUt}', 
Lemuel B. resided with his brother-in-law. Judge 
Carleton, attending the best schools of the citj', 
wiiere he obtained a good general education, with 
the addition of Latin, to which he had been ad- 
vised to give special attention, as it is so necessary 
for a lawyer to understand it. He next, under the 
superior instruction of his sister's husband, com- 
menced the study of law at the office of the lattei-, 
which was in a little logbuilding then standing on 
Iowa Avenue, on the site of which has been erected 
the large laundry of Charles Murphy. In that 
humble log building with his eldest brother, A. 
H., and with William Smyth, of Linn Count}-, as 
fellow-students, he pursued the various branches 
of legal lore and was finall}' admitted to the Bar. 
His elder brother located in Washington, Iowa, 
where he was among the leading lawyers for many 
3'ears. William Smyth went to Marion, Linn County, 
was elected Judge of the district, entered the army 
in the late war, was promoted to the rank of Col- 
onel, and on returning to Iowa was elected to Con- 
gress, and was called to the life eternal while a 
member of that bodj-. 

After the capital had been removed to Iowa City 
from Burlington, Sir. Patterson of this sketch was 
elected by the Legislature Territorial Librarian, 
holding the same ollice for two terras. While 
serving as such, then a mere 3'outh, he prepared 
the first homestead law ever passed in Iowa. Be- 
ing then well acquainted and on familiar terms 
with the members, he was enabled to persuade one 
of his acquaintances to present the bill to the 
House. This bill, though crude and imperfect, 
was the first step taken for reform (^n this subject. 



318 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRArHlCAL RECORD. 



Tlie California gold excitement of 1850 caused his 
father to go West, in hope of repairing his financial 
losses, and on the way he stopped in Sacramento 
City, where he died the same fall. The support of 
his family was assumed by the older boys and in 
addition thej' also took up a large indebtedness 
for their father, which they faithfully met. This 
for a time compelled our subject to abandon the 
law f(ir something more lucrative. To accomplish 
this he, in i)artnership with his brother O. A., now 
of Sioux City, purch.ased a small drug store of James 
Harlan, afterward United States Senator and Secre- 
tary of the Interior. This business was carried on 
for several years quite successf UII3', when they sold 
out and our subject again resumed the practice of 
law. 

In 1851 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Pat- 
terson and Jane L. Ilazzard, the eldest daughter of 
the Rev. S. H. Ilazzard, of Iowa City. A son and 
daughter came to bless tiieir union, and in 1855 the 
wife and son were called to their final abode. The 
daughter is now the wife of Willard J. Welch, of 
this city. In 1861 our subject entered into part- 
nersliip with Levi Robinson, which firm has the 
honor of being by several years the oldest law 
lirm in the State, and from that time until the 
present they have been very successful, establish- 
ing a truly enviable reputation. This firm also 
promoted many prominent enterprises, and were 
large stock-holders in the Iowa City Woolen Mills, 
located two miles and a-half west of the city, at 
Coralville. This was a well-equipped factory, 
made of brick, and cost the company about 175,000. 
After an effort to make it a financial success they 
were obliged to abandon it, selling the plant to the 
oat meal owners, and all the stockholders losing 
heavily. 

In politics, Mr. Patterson has always been a 
sturdy Democrat from his youth up, and has had 
an abiding faith in the policy of the party. He 
was for a long time a constant attendant at State 
conventions, and was also a delegate to the Na- 
tional Democratic Convention which met in Chi- 
cago in 1864. He has held but few olficial posi- 
tions but has been a member of the School Board 
for about twentj- consecutive years, at the end of 
which lime he resigned, claiming that he had surely 



done his full share of work in that line. While a 
member of the Board he was successful in procur- 
ing the recognition of the right of ladies to teach 
in public schools, which up to that time had been 
denied to them. He has served for two terms in 
the City Council and was elected foi' the same 
length of time as City Attorney. 

In 1891 our subject, in company with the Hon. 
William Davies, of Sidnej', Ohio, made a trip to 
Europe, traveling through all the important coun- 
tries and visiting many places of historic interest. 
During his leisure, Mr. Patterson wrote letters for 
two of the Iowa City papers, giving an interesting 
description of things seen, which articles were 
highly appreciated by their manj^ friends and fel- 
low-citizens. He has had an abiding faith in the 
future prosperity of this important city, and has 
demonstrated his faith b^' his works in investing 
every dollar he could spare in real estate, and has 
probabl}' erected as many business houses and res- 
idences as an}' other man in the city. He has al- 
wajs taken a great interest in the Old Settlers' As- 
sociation of Johnson County, and is at present 
President of the organization, and has frequently 
been chosen to address them at their annual pic- 
nic gatherings. For several years he has been a 
Director in the Johnson County Savings Bank and 
was previously a Director for some time in the 
Iowa Cit}' State Bank. 



l^+^§ 



ORRIN ANDREWS, whose fine homestead of 
two hundred and ninety acres is located up- 
on section 10, Graham Township, is one of 
the representative, prosperous general agricultur- 
ists of Johnson County, Iowa, and, an honored 
pioneer settler, has for almost two-score years been 
prominently identified with the leading interests 
of the State and count}'. Thoroughly enjoying 
the esteem and confidence of his extended acquaint- 
ance, our subject has been the recipient of various 
offices of local trust, whose duties he has ever per- 
formed with faithful etticienc}'. As Township 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



319 



Trustee his advice and judgment have been in- 
valuable factors in the promotion of local enterprise 
and improvements. For four years a Justice of 
the Peace, ins legal decisions were ever rendered 
according to law and evidence, and in the trans- 
action of the business of this frequently trying 
position, "Squire" Andrews gave universal satis- 
faction to the entire community of his locality. 

Born in Richland County, N. Y., December 8, 
1825, Mr. Andrews removed while very young witii 
his parents to Oswego, N. Y., where the}' remained 
eight years; then locating in Trumbull County, 
Ohio, for one year, thej' finally settled in Erie 
County, Pa., where our subject grew to manhood. 
He had received a good education in the district 
schools of the Quaker State, and had otherwise 
well prepared himself for the battle of life before 
lie entered into matrimonial relations in Erie 
County, and while yet in early manhood was united 
in marriage with Miss Harriet S. Cottrell, who sur- 
vived her union with her husband but eleven 
months, and d3nng left to his care an infant daugh- 
ter, Candace M., now the wife of Isaac Miller. Mr. 
Andrews married the second time, in Crawford 
County, Pa., wedding upon December 16, 1852, 
Miss Sar.ah S. Shepard, who was born in Erie 
County, Pa,, July 6, 1827. 

Following his second marriage, our subject made 
his home in Erie Count}', Pa., from where he and 
his wife departed for the West in the spring of 
1854, arriving in Johnson County May 31. Since 
that period of time the family have been constant 
residents of Graliam Township, a part of what was 
formerl}' included in Newport Township, and 
then was a sparsely settled district, and for the 
most part unbroken prairie where now highly cul- 
tivated fields yield their annual harvest. The 
homestead of Mr. Andrews is well improved with 
excellent buildings, a good residence and commo- 
dious barns, and betokens tlie wise and thrifty man- 
agement of the prosperous and progressive owner. 
Our subject and his estimable wife are the parents 
of three children, two daughters and one son. The 
eldest-born, Jennie I., is the wife of Arthur E. Page; 
Jessie I. is the wife of James R. Cozine; Charles 
M. is the only son. 

Mr. Andrews lias since attaining his m.ajoriLy 



ever taken an active interest in both local and na- 
tional politics. He is an ardent Republican and 
an earnest advocate of the principles of his part}'. 
Conscientious in the discharge of all obligations 
pertaining to the local offices which he has so 
worthily held, he has in all iiis public work been 
influenced by the principles of right and justice. 
Our subject and his good wife are invaluable as- 
sistants in the benevolent work of the Christian 
Church, of which religious organization they have 
long been members. Mr. and Mrs. Andrews and 
their children, occupying positions of usefulness, 
influence and honor, are ever mindful of those less 
fortunate than themselves and by word and deed 
brighten the path of many a wanderer by the way- 
side. Arriving within the borders of the State in 
the full strength of early yet matured manhood, 
our subject has steadily won his upward way, and 
now, approaching three-score years and ten, has 
tiirough the changing years kept untarnished by 
dishonest act the record of his upright life. 



• :=^ ^ i@'^®] ^ P=^ " 



ON. DAVID STEWART, M. D., a prominent 
and highly successful physician of John- 
son County, Iowa, 1ms been a resident of 
\f^j Penn Township for more than thirty years, 
and, enjoying an extended and lucrative practice, 
has also taken an active and leading part in local 
politics. Occupying at various times the impor- 
tant official positions of the township, and ever 
discharging their duties with efficient ability, he 
was further honored by his election in 1869 to the 
State Legislature of Iowa, and in 1892 was the 
choice of the Republicans for the same position, 
but was defeated by his Democratic opponent, the 
Hon. John Springer. The result of the campaign 
was most satisfactory to the numerous patients of 
Dr. Stewart, who had no desire to lose, even tem- 
porarily, the services of so skillful a practitioner 
as our highly esteemed subject. 

Dr. Stewart is a native of Huntingdon County, 
Pa., and was born March 24, 1830. His parents. 



320 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Robert and Annie T. (McDonald) Stewart, were 
also natives of Huntingdon County, and were there 
reared, educated and married. Our subject re- 
ceived a cominon-scliool education in the excel- 
lent schools of his birthplace, and assisted in the 
woolen f.actory of which his father was proprietor 
until he was about twenty-one years of age, when, 
deciding to adopt the medical profession, he aban- 
doned his former employment. In 1852 he entered 
the oltice of Dr. J. R.Smith, of Pine Grove, Centre 
County, Pa., and read with this excellent physician 
for two years, meantime attending the course of 
lectures at .Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, 
and also studying at Ann Arbor, Mich. At last, 
a full-fledged M. D.. Dr. Stewart began the prac- 
tice of his profession at Colerain Forge, Pa., in 
1855, but remained onl}' a brief time in that local- 
ity, soon removing to Rock Grove, Stephenson 
County, 111. After two years of professional duty 
tiiere, our subject next made his home in Pontiac, 
Livingston Count}', where he practiced success- 
fully for thiee 3' ears. 

The then far West of Iowa at that time pre- 
senting strong attractions for our subject, he jour- 
neyed liither, and in 1860 settled in Penn Town- 
ship, where he has since constantly engaged pros- 
perously in medical practice, except for the com- 
paratively brief period when he was in the service 
of the Government, in the troublous days of the 
Civil War. It was upon August 12, 1802, that 
Dr. Stewart received his commission and entered 
upon ills duties as Captain of Company E, Twenty- 
eighth Iowa Regiment, in which capacity he served 
with faithful and gallant efficiency until the fol- 
owing December, when he was promoted to the 
position of Surgeon of the same regiment. For 
one year he did active and valuable service as an 
army surgeon, but was at the expiration of that 
time obliged to resign upon account of ill-health, 
and in July, 1863, returned to Penn Township, 
and after needed rest resumed professional duty. 
For a few months Dr. Stewart was tlie (Tovernment 
ins|)cctor of tlie alcohol works at Iowa City, but 
the professional demands of his immediate liome 
locality require his devoted attention. 

Our subject w.as married in Huntingdon Count}-, 
Pa., ,luly 14, 1855, to Miss Winnifred Duff, a na- 



tive of the county and a lady highly esteemed for 
her intelligence, worth and culture. Dr. and Mrs. 
Stewart are the parents of seven surviving children. 
Mary A., the eldest-born, who is the wife of L. W. 
Alt; Winnie; Dr. C. E. Stewart, of Iowa City; Will- 
iam, the second son; Emma, the wife of Rolla Alt; 
Alex T. and Guy, who are yet unmarried. One 
cliild, a daughter, passed away at about two years of 
age. The parents of our subject, desiring to be near 
their son, came to Johnson County in 1865, and 
settled in Penn Township, where the father died 
in January, 1881, aged eighty-two years. The 
mother lived until August, 1892, and passed away 
at eighty-four j'ears of age. The venerable fatlier 
and mother, Robert and Annie T. (McDonald) 
Stewart, were of Scotch-Irish ancestry and pos- 
sessed the energy, ability and thrift which charac- 
terize the union of these nationalities. 

Dr. Stewart is fratern.ally associated with the 
Free Masons and is a valued member of White 
Marble Lodge No. 238, A. F. & A M., of North 
Liberty, Iowa. He also wears the bronze button 
of the Grand Army and is a member of Post No. 8, 
of Iowa City. Intimately associated with the lead- 
ing interests of the State, and one of the chief 
promoters of educational advancement and local 
enterprise in Johnson County, our subject is a 
thoroughly progressive man, faithful in the per- 
formance of eveiy duty intrusted to his care, 
whether it be professional or official, and is widely 
known as a public-spirited citizen, worthy of the 
honor and high regard which he has so long re- 
ceived from tlie general public .and a host of 
friends. 



•?;#*= 



=^> 



ARSON B. WRAY, a leading cititzen and 
honored pioneer settler of Iowa, has for 
more than fifty years been a constant resi- 
dent of Madison Township, Johnson C^ounty, 
where as County Supervisor and Township Trustee 
he has been an important factor in the upward 
growth and progress of this part of the Hawkeye 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



321 



State. Our subject was born in Hamilton County', 
Ohio, July 24, 1819, and was the son of Richard 
Wray, a Pennyslvania farmer, who after a time 
emigrated to Ohio and settled in Hamilton County 
in an early day. The AVrays were of Irish descent. 
Grandfather Wray and a brother having come from 
the Emerald Isle to Maryland, where they sep- 
arated, the grandfather journeying to Pennsyl- 
vania, while the brother was never heard from 
again. Richard Wray was one of six sons, two of 
whom were farmers, two blacksmiths and two tin- 
ners. Father Wray emigrated to Indiana in a 
ver3' early day, and was accidentally killed at a 
house-raising in 1825. The widowed mother was 
Catherine (Buford) Wray, a native of Maryland, 
and, a most estijnable woman, lived to a good old 
age, dying in her eighty-lifth year. She was the 
mother of eight children, three of whom are yet 
living. 

The bo3'hood of our subject was passed amid 
pioneer scenes, and his educational opportunities 
were limited to a brief schooling in the primitive 
little log house, which received most of its pupils 
during the winter season. After his father's death 
he went to a neighboring farm and worked out b3' 
the month, finally securing more remunerative em- 
ployment in a distillery, where he remained en- 
gaged for seven years. In the spring of 1811, our 
adventurous subject, determined to try his for- 
tunes in the West, started out on foot and alone 
for Iowa, arriving in Iowa City, Johnson County-, 
Maj' 8. Coming at once to Madison Township, 
he took a claim on section 2, and when the Gov- 
ernment placed the land in market bought it. He 
spent his first year breaking the land with ox- 
teams, making fences and building a rude log 
house. Game was abundant and herds of deer 
could be seen peacefully feeding. He was sur- 
rounded b}' Indians and had some stanch friends 
among them. In the spring of 1842, he ended his 
days of loneliness bj' marrying Miss Mary Ault, of 
Ohio. Her father died in her native State, after 
which her mother emigrated to Illinois and two 
years later came to Iowa. 

Mr. and Mrs. Wray began their housekeeping 
in the little log cabin which he had previously 
built, and which was replaced in time l)y a frame 



house erected upon the same spot, a commodious 
and attractive residence. Our subject has con- 
tinuously for about two years more than a half 
century occupied this home localitj'. One of the 
severest trials of the pioneer experiences of our 
subject was the long distance he was obliged to go 
to mill, sometimes being caught in most severe 
storms and blinding snows. Many farmers did 
their own milling, pulverizing the corn in a rude 
and laborious fashion. Mr. and Mrs. Wray have 
been husband and wife fifty-one years and have had 
eight children: Catherine .1., Isabelle (deceased), 
Joseiih C, Uavid W., Eliza A., Maria Florence (de- 
ceased), Clara Candaceaud Ann Elizabeth. Aside 
from his other positions of trust previously men- 
tioned, our subject was for many years a School 
Director, vigorously aiding in educational advance- 
ment. Frequently the members of the Board would 
not put in an appearance at the appointed time of 
an election, and Mr. Wray, becoming tired of this 
lax way of doing business, at last upon a certain 
day when he was the only member present called 
the meeting to order, nominated himself Chair- 
man and Secretary, and then placed a good, use- 
ful neighbor in nomination for Director, voted 
for him in the regular way, and secured his elec- 
tion. Our subject filled out a certificate and 
notified him of his election, and he duly served 
and proved a most valuable addition to the Board. 
Mr. Wray is a stanch Democrat and has repres- 
ented his party as Delegate to various township and 
county conventions. He has been chosen many 
times when he has declined the honor, not de- 
siring to serve. Mrs. Wray has for long years 
been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Cnuiich, 
and, a woman of kind and generous heart, is a 
liberal giver, generously aiding in benevolent and 
social enterprise. Fraternally our subject affiliates 
with the Ancient Free & Accepted Masons and 
lives up to the requirements of that ancient order. 
When Mr. Wray first settled upon the old home- 
stead he had but eightj' acres of land, which are 
now increased to four hundred and twenty. He 
has been owner of eleven hundred acres, but has 
given his sons some and sold a portion. For 
many years engaging extensively in stock-raising, 
]Mr. Wrav has iiandled some of the finest-bred 



322 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



"Mcambrino" horses in the State and has some especi- 
ally excellent animals now in his barns. For thirty 
years continuously our subject engaged in shijj- 
ping stock, making Chicago his market, and has 
during this time gained a comfortable competence. 
He began life with less than $100, but, hard-work- 
ing and industrious, has steadily won his way up- 
ward to assured success. To his wife he gener- 
ously attributes much of his prosperity in life, and 
that she has been a helpmate indeed is a well- 
known fact. During the Civil War the exceeding 
kindness and broad libeiality of Mr. Wray to the 
families of the soldiers who were far away en- 
deared him and his family to many grateful hearts. 
The years are flying fast, and in the approaching 
evening of their age Mr. and Mrs. Wray will yet 
more fully realize the firm hold they have upon 
the esteem and confidence of their fellow-citizens, 
by whom they are beloved and appreciated for 
their sterling qualities of mind and heart. 



KTVAl DELESCAILLE, the subject of this 
sketch, is the oldest and best-known jew- 
eler in Poweshiek County, Iowa. He was 
born in Belgium, eight miles east of the 
battlefield of Waterloo, April 3, 1825. His father, 
was Nicholas, also born there, who entered the 
Belgian armj-, taking ])ait in the battle of Water- 
loo, being under Wellington and Blucher,and tak- 
ing his honor with the rest when victory was won. 
The occupation of his father was that of farming, 
and his last days were passed in Belgium. The 
maiden name of the mother of our subject was 
Jane J. Roman, and she was born in the same place. 
Both were of French descent and Roman Catholics. 
Our subject was the eldest of the family of six 
children and the only one who is in America. He 
was reared in Belgium and educated in the French 
language, and when sixteen years of age left 
school to learn the jeweler's and fine cabinet-mak- 
ing trade, the latter including fine clocks. The 
delicate workmansiiip required m these occupa- 



tions always had great attraction for him, and in 
after years this knowledge served to while away 
the long hours of a prisoner's life. In 1856 our 
subject came to America, landing in New York 
April 26, having left Antwerp in the sailing craft 
"Frances B. Cutting." They were fort3'-seven days 
on the journey, having a severe time and encoun- 
tering storms on the way. Reaching New York, 
he proceeded to Iowa City, where he worked at his 
trade until 1857, when he went to Brooklyn, re- 
mained one and one-half years, and in the fall of 
1858 located in Montezuma, built a shop and began 
to manufacture clocks and do repair work. 

Nothing was too difficult for our subject to do. 
and every kind of uteusil and machine was 
given him for restoration. Among the many 
things he did was the invention and patenting of 
an invalid wagon. Our subject, August 13, 1862, 
enlisted in Company C, Twenty-eighth Iowa In- 
fantry, and was mustered in at Iowa City and took 
part in the battles of Port Gibson, Chain|)ion Hill 
and Vicksburg; was transferred to the Gulf, and 
in the battle of Sabine Cross Roads fought hard 
all day and was the last to leave the field, and if 
every one had fought as bravely as he, victory 
would have perched on the Union banners. He 
was captured immediately' after being wounded in 
the right arm, the ball passing through that mem- 
ber. His undaunted spirit led him to def^' his 
captors, who in wrath procured a rope, which they 
placed about his neck, when a boy of sixteen in- 
formed the commander, who came out and made 
them desist. Taken to Talty, Tex., he was made 
to walk all the way and was repeatedly stoned on 
the passage. While in prison he employed him- 
self in the manufacture of horn pipes with a 
pocket knife during the thirteeu months of his 
imprisonment. It may be said that when he went 
to the war he took with him a kit of tools, which 
was often found useful. He was released at the 
close of the war and returned home poor in purse, 
but went manfully to work and has been able to 
acquire property since. 

Mr. Delescaille has a full line of jewelry and 
does more repairing and better work than anyone 
else in the citj'. He has been here longer than 
any other jeweler and is by far the best known in 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



323 



the county. Me is constantly surprising his friends 
with ingenious worlimanship, his cabinet-organ 
clocks being especially praised. The kit of tools 
which he bore witii him through his loyal service 
in the army has been restored to him by the officers 
of his regiment. 

Our subject was married in Belgium to Miss 
Mary T. Daegwitt, who was born there, and died 
in Montezuma on the 19lh of December, 1879. 
She was the mother of four children, namely: 
Julius, in the lumber business in Minnesota; An- 
nie, Mrs. Fish, living in Minnesota; Mary, living 
in Kansas City; and Frank, living in Marshall- 
town. Mr. Delescaille was married a second time 
at Montezuma, in 1881, to Mrs. Sarah Morietj', of 
New Jersey, and an early settler of Iowa. Our 
subject was at one time quite active in the Inde- 
pendent Order of Odd Fellows and is an honored 
member of Wisner Post, G. A. R. The doctrines 
of the Christian Church are in harmony with his 
views and his name is upon its books. Politically, 
he is a Republican, straight and unqualified, giv- 
ing hearty support to the candidates of that party. 



^: 



'*****^s 



'OHN H. MYERS, living retired from act- 
ive business, in the town of Miuitezuma, 
Iowa, is one of the old settlers and most es- 
teemed residents of the place. Although 
of foreign birth, he became one of the bravest and 
most patriotic defenders of the Stars and Stripes 
in the late war, and possesses a fund of reminis- 
cences of those days. He was born in Bavaria, 
Germany, near the old city of Wunsiedel, Decem- 
ber 30, 1830. His father was John Myers also, 
and was one of the architects and builders in his 
native place, continuing in that occupation until 
his death. He had earl} embraced the Lutheran 
faith and died as he had lived, a good man. The 
name of the mother was Elizabeth Myers, a name 
common in (Germany, she being in no way related 
to her husband before marriage. Her father was 
a merchant in Wunsiedel. Mr. and Mrs. Myers 



became the parents of ten children, all of whom 
grew to maturity, and there are but four now liv- 
ing. 

Our subject is the only member of the family in 
America. He was reared in the ancient city of 
Wunsiedel, where he was given school advantages 
botli in the common and higher branches, leaving 
at the age of fourteen years to enter a tin- 
mill to learn the tinner's trade. The first tinmill 
and the first tinware manufactory were built in 
this old city. Here our subject continued until he 
was eighteen years old, at wliich time he carried 
out his long cherished i)lan of emigrating to 
America, in furtherance of which he left Bremen 
on the sailing-vessel " Fanna " in the spring of 
1848, and after a voyage of forty-nine days 
reached New York, June 1, 1848. Proceeding to 
Rochester he engaged in working at his trade for 
several years and also did some clerking in a 
grocery store, but 1852 found him located in Keo- 
kuk, Iowa, after :i, short intermediate residence 
in Wisconsin. 

In July, 185i), our subject located in Monte- 
zuma, Iowa, in the hardware business, building a 
store on the northwest corner of tiie square. When 
the Civil War came on our subject became very 
much interested and this interest culmin.'iled in 
July, 1862, in his enlistment in the Union nrniN. 
Packing his hardware goods, he located his wife 
on a forty-acre farm which he owned, and started 
off to the assistance of his adopted country. En- 
listing in Company C, Twentieth Iowa Infantiy, 
he was mustered in at Davenport and soon was in 
the thickest of t'.ie conflict, from which he did not 
escape unharmed. His bravery will be remem- 
bered b}' his comrades at many points, in the 
White River expedition. Port Gibson, Champion 
Hill (where he was shot in the left leg), at Vicks- 
burg, on the Red River expedition, at Sabine 
Cross Roads and back to the river, then on to 
Washington, by way of New Orleans, on the 
steamer "Arago," landing at Alexandria, and from 
there on to Washington. 

One of the pleasant reminiscences of this time, 
and a memory which our subject would not will- 
ingly part with, was the kind attention that Presi- 
dent Lincoln paid his l)i'ave soldiers, as he passed 



324 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



down the line shaking hands with them and giving 
words of cheer. After tliis the command to which 
our subject was attaciied proceeded to Transylva- 
nia, thence to Virginia, Leesburg and Snicker Ga]). 
Here they crossed tiie Shenandoah River in the mid- 
dle of the night, when the water was as cold as ice, 
and then went down the valley to Harper's Ferry, 
skirmishing with Gen. Early; later they went to 
Ballwood Heights, where they joined Sheridan 
and advanced upon Perryville, and in September, 
18()4-, fought the memorable battle of Winchester. 
From this time all service by our subject was pre- 
vented, as he had received a wound in his elbow, 
which confined him to the hospital in Philadelphia. 
Here he remained until late in the fall of 1864, 
when all Iowa soldiers in the hospitals were sent to 
Davenport, Iowa, and mustered out in May, 1865. 
By strategy while in Baltimore he had saved his 
arm from amputation and when he reached Phila- 
delphia the surgeons set it. 

When our subject entered the army he weighed 
some two hundred and fifteen pounds, but he was 
reduced to one hundred and forty-seven wlien he 
returned home. He had narrowly escaped ca|)ture 
many times and on the retreat from Sabine Cross 
Roads he had a serious time reaching Pleasant 
Hill and Cane River. In 1865 he unpacked liis 
stock of hardware and started into business with a 
partner, continuing until 1872, when he was bank- 
rupted by his partner and was compelled to again 
engage in working at his trade. He continued 
thus engaged until he retired from business alto- 
gether. He has a fine brick residence in this city 
and lives in great comfort, with the exception of 
occasional twinges of rheumatism. In 1866 he 
took a trip back to his old Bavarian home, spend- 
ing three months very enjoyably theie, but came 
back to America better satisfied than ever. 

In Rochester, N. Y., our subject married, in 
1851, Miss Mary Rockdochel, a native of his own 
city, who had accompanied her parents to Amer- 
ica some time before. Seven children were born 
to our subject and wife: George M., now a hard- 
ware merchant in South Bend, Wash.; John, a 
druggist at South Bend, Wash.; Theodore, a grad- 
uate of Iowa College, and an attorney at Audu- 
bon, Iowa; Fred, a policeman in Chicago,Ill.; Ma- 



tilda, Mrs. Wilsej, residing here; Kate, Mrs. Ander- 
son, residing in Grundy County, Iowa; and Ann, 
Mrs. Glass, residing in Malcom. Mr. Mj-ers is a 
member of the Ancient Free & Accepted Masons 
and of the Encam(mient of the Independent Order 
of Odd Fellows, and has taken an active part in 
Wisner Post, G. A. R. At one time he was a Re- 
publican, but now votes with the Democrats, al- 
though he is very radical. 



LBERP H. BROWNING, an intelligentand 
progressive agriculturist, and for a score 
of years an honored resident of section 15, 
(^ Cedar Township, Johnson County, Iowa, 

has since 1872 been numbered among the leading 
and prosperous citizens of this part of the State. 
Born in Exeter, R. I., January 27, 1842, our sub- 
ject was the grandson of John Browning, a native 
of Rhode Island, whose father, emigrating to 
America from England, located in Rhode Island. 
John Browning was an extensive manufacturer, and 
was well known as the proprietor of the Brown- 
ing Cotton Mills. He was a soldier in the War of 
1812, and after a career of courage, resolution and 
enterprise departed this life at four-score years of 
age. The father of our subject, Jeremiah II. 
Browning, was a natural mechanic and excelled in 
the handling of tools. In 1844 he made his home 
in Connecticut, where he farmed, carried on a 
blacksmith shop, and also engaged extensively in 
the manufacture of wagons and carriages. In 
1857 he removed to Ohio, and with his family lo- 
cated in Trumbull County, where he owned a farm, 
and conducted a shop as before, giving his personal 
attention to the latter business, while his sons de- 
voted themselves to the duties of agriculture. 

Father Browning died in 1880, at sixty-six 
years of age. He had been a Captain of a com- 
pany of militia in the days when training was 
common, and held a Captain's commission from 
the Governor of Rhode Island. An upright man, 






^?7^-u^<yvAy 



POETRAIT AND BIOGRAPmCAL RECORD. 



327 



of sterling integrity of character, he was cheerful in 
disposition and of a sunshiny nature, beloved by all 
who knew him, and was financially successful. He 
w.as a religious man and a devout member of 
the Baptist Cliurch. His good wife, Hannah 
(Reynolds) Browning, was a native of Rhode Is- 
land, and a descendant of the best New England 
stock. She was a Christian woman of strong reli- 
gious convictions and also a member of the Baptist 
Church, and passed aw.iy at fifty-nine years of age. 
Father Browning married a second time and by 
that union had one son, his family then compris- 
ing six manly boys, of whom Albert H. was the 
eldest. Reared upon a farm and thoroughly 
trained in the culture of the soil, our subject also 
attended the district schools, but i)Ossessing liter- 
ary tastes and desiring more extended instruction, 
afterward enjoyed the benefit of a few terms of 
study — when about eighteen years old — in the 
Western Reserve Academy, Farmington, Ohio. 

Upon June 20, 1863, Mr. Browning left home 
.and enlisted in Company G, Eighty-sixth Ohio In- 
fantry, and served eight months, being mustered 
out with his company February 10, 1864. While 
our subject was never engaged in any of the deci- 
sive battles of the Civil AVar, he participated in 
many hand-to-hand skirmishes, and returned home 
with greatly impaired health, due to constant ex- 
posure and privations. After recuperating he 
went into the oil district of Penns3ivauia, and for 
nearly three years was vaiiously engaged as em- 
ploye and contractor. Successful in his ventures 
in that part of the Quaker State, Mr. Browning ac- 
quired money enough to give him a good start in 
life. In 1867 our subject journeyed to Johnson 
Countj', Iowa, where he was engaged in farming, 
buying, feeding and shipping st<jck for his uncle, 
William H. Reynolds, who was an extensive stock- 
dealer ill Johnson and Benton Counties. Mr. 
Browning remained with his uncle until 1872, and 
in the fall of that j'ear commenced in life on his 
own account and purchased his present homestead 
of one hundred and sixty acres, which he has since 
brought up to a high state of cultivation, and im- 
proved with substantial buildings, recently erect- 
ing thereon a handsome and commodious residence, 
modern in design and finish. 

15 



Albert H. Browning and Miss Mary R. Sutliff, a 
native of Johnson County, Iowa, were united in 
marriage January 27, 1872. The parents of Mrs. 
Browning were TuUy and Ascnath (Spurrier) Sut- 
liff. The father died in 1854, but the mother, sur- 
viving, is now a resident of Cedar Rapids, Iowa. 
She was the daughter of Hon. Warnei Spurrier, a 
pioneer settler of Big Grove Township, Johnson 
Count}'. lie held various official positions with 
distinction, and ably represented his constituents 
in the Legislature. The estimable wife of our 
subject was the youngest of three children, and 
after a preparatory schooling in her home dis- 
trict, attended the Iowa Agricultural College, 
and there completed her education, afterwaid 
teaching, in which occupation she was very suc- 
cessful. Seven children, EffleandElfie (twins), Er- 
nest, Mabel, Flora, Gertrude, and Maude, a bright 
and interesting family, have blessed the home of 
Mr. and Mrs. Browning. Politically, our subject 
is an ardent Republican and fraternally is as- 
sociated with the Grand Arm}' of the Republic, 
and within and without this patriotic order pos- 
sesses the confidence and esteem of a host of 
sincere friends. 



'V I OIIN E. SMITH, a prosperous and enterpris- 
I ing farmer and native of Iowa, is one of the 
— v^ i earliest settlers of Johnson County now 
l^^/ living, and was born near Iowa City Janu- 
ary 14, 1841. His father was among the very first 
pioneers who made this portion of the United 
States their home, while it was j'et under the juris- 
diction of Wisconsin and had not yet become a 
Territory. Patrick and Mary (Clark) Smith were 
natives of County Down, Ireland, and having 
long before emigrated to America, came from 
Elkhart County, Ind., in 1837, and located about 
two miles south of Iowa City, there remaining 
for two years. During their residence in this lo- 
cality their son John E., our subject, was born, 



328 



POKTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



almost six years before the admission of Iowa into 
Statehood. Their next move was made to a point 
northeast of Iowa Cit}' about one mile. 

Mr. Smith was but an infant when his father 
and mother settled upon the old homestead in 
Newport Township, now owned bj' our subject, 
and which continued to be the home of the par- 
ents until their death. The father died in 1873, 
and the mother, surviving about six j'ears, passed 
away January 10, 1879. They were the parents of 
three children, two daughters and one son. John 
E. was the youngest of the small family, and the 
second eldest male child born in the county. 

Our subject was reared and educated in the dis- 
trict schools of Johnson County, and throughout 
the changing scenes of the last half-century has 
continued to remain in his native county, and 
for the most of this period of time has been a con- 
stant resident of the old homestead, whose two 
hundred and twentj--six fertile acres he now owns 
and cultivates. The farm under his excellent 
management has been materially improved by the 
erection of substantial and commodious barns and 
outbuildings, and the family dwelling is an attrac- 
tive country residence. 

Mr. Smith was married in Iowa City December 
27, 1864, to Miss Hannah Greulich, daughter of 
F'rancis and Mary (Yonker) Greulich. The father 
of Mrs. Smith was a native of Germany, but her 
mother was born in France. Mr. and Mrs. Greu- 
lich came to Johnson Count3', Iowa, about -1853, 
from Tillin, Ohio, and settled in Iowa City, where 
they resided for some time, then removing to Ten- 
nessee. Their next location was in Chicago, and 
after a sojourn in this metropolis tiiey made their 
home in Independence, Iowa, where the father 
died in October, 1885, and the mother, surviving 
until July 8, 1892, there passed away. Mrs. Smitli, 
who was the second child of her parents' large 
family, was born in Tiffin, Ohio, April 6, 1844. 
Eight sons and daughters clustered together in the 
happy home of our subject and his estimable wife. 
Otto, the eldest-born, married Miss Mollie Hand; 
Iowa, Henry and Frances have passed away; Oscar, 
Ida, Mary and William are yet sjiared to brighten 
the home of their father and mother. The parents 
and their family are widely' known and higiily re- 



spected by the entire community among whom 
their useful lives are passed, and enjoy the society 
and esteem of a large circle of friends and acquain- 
tances. 

Mr. Smith has taken an active part in local af- 
fairs and has filled with ability various township 
offices. As Assessor his services were most satis- 
factory, and as Township Trustee he efficiently 
aided in the promotion of local improvement and 
enterprise. Although j'et in middle life and with 
man}' years to come before our honored subject 
shall have neared the three-score years and ten, 
the allotted span of man, he has been an eye-witness 
of the rapid growth and upward progress of his 
native Territory from earliest infancy to its pres- 
ent matured and proud position among the elder 
Statehood of our great American nation. An en- 
ergetic, industrious and enteri)rising citizen of 
sterling integrity of character, he has ever been a 
material factor in advancing the best interests of 
his home locality', and is justly numbered among 
the substantial men of our country, to whose early 
efforts is mainl}' due the local and national pros- 
perity of to-day. 



^^^AVIN LANG, a prominent and respected 
'11 ^— , farmer of Deer Creek Township, Powe- 
^^M shiek Count}-, has been extensively en- 
gaged in agriculture since 1870. In December, 
1892, he removed to the village of Brooklyn, and 
has there erected a residence which he intends to 
make his home during his remaining years. He 
accumulated five hundred and twenty acres, be- 
ginning with only one hundred and sixty. He 
has increased it greatly in value and has given 
a portion of his properly to his sons, though still 
retaining three hundred and sixty acres. His ef- 
forts have been blessed with an abundant success, 
as he started out with little capital besides willing 
hands and a strong determination to rise. 

Mr. Lang was born in Leunoxsliire, Scotland, 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



329 



April 22, 1833, and is a sou of Gavin and Mar- 
garet (Brownlie) Lang, both natives of the same 
communit3-. Our subject's grandfather, Jolin Lang, 
' was a member of an old Scotch family, and was 
one who commanded the esteem of everybody. 
Our subject is one of two sons and received a 
common-school education. His mother died when 
he was only eight years of age, and iiis father de- 
parted this life four years later, since whicli time 
he has been obliged to make his own way in the 
world. In 1845 his brother John crossed the briny 
deep, settling in Penns^'lvania. In the spring of 
1849 Gavin Lang also determined to try his for- 
tune in the United States and joined his brother. 
He landed in Pennsylvania with only $10, and 
commenced working at the carpenter's trade in 
Venango County. In the spring Of 1850, with 
his brother, he came to Iowa, settling in Scott 
Count}', where he purchased a farm and devoted 
himself to its improvement and development for 
twenty years. In 1870 he became a resident of 
this count}', living near Brooklyn. 

In March, 1856, Miss .Jane Thompson, a native 
of Liverpool, England, became the wife of our 
subject. She is the daughter of Hugh M. and 
Jane (Robertson) Thompson. The father came to 
the United States in 1845, locating on eighty acres 
of laud which he entered in Scott Counly, and 
there engaged in farming, success crowning his 
efforts. For three years he was Superintendent 
of the American Agricultural College farm. He 
died in Scott County in 1887, aged seventy- 
six years, and his wife, who is 3'et living, has now 
attained the good old age of seventy-eight years. 
Mrs. Lang is one of nine children who grew to 
maturity, the others being Mark L., John R., Eliz- 
abeth, Agnes (Mrs. Herman Fiecke), Isaac A., 
Hughenia B., Hugh M. and .Tames R. Two of the 
brothers served in the army, and Mark L. was 
wounded at the battle of Ft. Donelson. Being 
sent home on a furlough, he raised a company, 
of which he was made Captain, serving until the 
close of the war. Mrs. Lang's father was a mem- 
ber of the Legislature, and both he and his wife 
were devoted members of the Presbyterian Church. 
To Mr. and Mrs. Lang seven children were 
born. Genie is the wife of Thomas A. Graham; 



Margaret became the wife of I.J. Ormiston; Hugh 
is the next in order of birth; Mary is now Mrs. 
N. M. Wilson; John A., Jr., and Elizabeth com- 
plete the family. John A., Sr., died when two 
years of age. Mr. Lang is a member in good 
standing of the Presbyterian Church, and is active 
in all good works. He is well worthy of the honor 
and respect in which he is held, for he has made 
the best of what opportunities he had, and has 
steadily pushed to the front in spite of all dis- 
couragements. He is possessed of just those qual- 
ities essential to success, and is an example of the 
self-made man, to whom parents may point their 
children as well worthy of emulation. The first 
land purchased by Mr. Lang in Scott County, 
Iowa, he obtained for |i8 an acre, and since com- 
ing to this county he has often paid from 120 
to $30 an acre. 



l>^^<i 



eARR IIARTMAN. The sketch here given 
is a tribute to the memory of a man whose 
noble and honorable life was an example 
to all, and, although marked by hard and unde- 
viatiug labor, illustrated the sterling qualities 
that characterized his career. He was born in Co- 
lumbia County, Pa., September 12, 1816, a sou of 
Caspar Hartman, also a Pennsylvanian, whose 
birth occurred June 13, 1777. Grandfather Will- 
iam Hartman was born in Germany, and came to 
this country previous to the War for Indepen- 
dence, aud the remainder of his days were passed 
in the Keystone State. Caspar Hartman tilled the 
soil in his native count}' until his death. May 4, 
1841. He was a (Quaker in his religious belief the 
greater part of his life, but a short time previous 
to his death he united with the Methodist Church. 
His wife was Deborah Carr, a native of Penn- 
sylvania, born March 26, 1778, whose parents were 
both born in England. She and her husband reared 
a family of eight sons and two daughters to ma- 
turity. She was a ( Juaker in religious belief, in 
which faith she died, February 4, 1843. 



330 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Carr Hartman was the ninth of his parents' 
eliildren, was reared on a farm and, like the ma- 
jority of farmers' boys, was educated in the dis- 
trict schools, which at that time were held in 
primitive log structures. He began life on his 
own account at the age of twenty-two years, and 
in 1839 settled in Knox County, Ohio, where he 
spent two years in working on a farm which be- 
longed to his brother. He was married there to 
Miss Elizabeth Kepler, who was born in Hunting- 
don County, Pa., January 18, 1814, and to this 
union two children were given: Albert, who served 
four years in the War of the Rebellion in Com- 
pany E, Tenth Iowa Regiment; and Harriet. In 
the spring of 1841 he came with his family to 
Iowa, the journey hithei' being made by wagon, 
the old-time "prairie schooner" being brought into 
requisition. Soon after his arrival he entered 
eighty acres of land from the Government, on 
which he built a log cabin, and into which he at 
once moved, and there his wife died on the 20th 
of .January, 1848. June 22, 1848, he married Mrs. 
Susan (Kepler) Bowden, widow of Edward Bow- 
den and sister of his first wife. I\Irs. Hartman 
came to this section with her parents in the fall 
of 1841, their names being Jacob and Sarah (Snare) 
Kepler, both of whom were born in the State of 
Pennsylvania. Mr. Kepler entered one hundred 
and sixty acres of Government land on section 27, 
Sharon Township, developed the place, and here 
died at the age of seventy-six years, his widow 
surviving him until she attained her eighty-fifth 
year. 

Mr. Hartman first did his marketing at Musca- 
tine and had his milling done on English River, 
but he often ground cornmeal with a hand-mill. 
The first few years of his residence here Indians 
were numerous, and often came to his cabin to 
beg or trade. Although game was also plentiful 
lie never hunted. His last marriage resulted in 
the birth of seven children: Lucy, who died Sep- 
tember 28, 1868, at the age of eighteen years; 
Chester; Jeaniiette, now Mrs. Epluaim Dawson; 
Porter; Malinda, who died February 7, 1879, in 
her seventeenth year; IMahala, now Mrs. Alva 
Strickler; and Creaton A. 

At the time of liis death, February 28, 1884, 



Mr. Hartman was the owner of two hundred and 
eight acres of land, which hy earnest and persis- 
tent efforts he had improved. He was a hard 
worker, possessed a great deal of energy and 
push, and as these were coupled with discrimi- 
nating judgment, he could not fail to succeed. 
He began at the foot of the ladder, received but 
little financial help from any source, and the 
prosperous condition to which he attained is greatly 
to his credit. His land was improved by a large 
frame residence and two large frame bai'ns, and 
much of his time was given to raising stock, par- 
ticularly sbeep. (le was first a member of the 
Methodist Church, in which he took an active in- 
terest, and was Class-leader and Superintendent 
of the Sunday-school for many years, but a few 
years before his death he joined the Evangelical 
Church. He always supported the measures of the 
Republican party, and for a number of years was 
Trustee of Sharon Township. He was a leader 
in the public affairs of his section, and his death 
was deplored by numerous people outride of his 
own immediate family circle. His widow, an in- 
telligent, industrious and amiable woman, still re- 
sides on the home farm, and is an earnest member 
of the Evangelical Church. 



/,,■; LONZO STEELE, Vice-president of the in- 
lU\\ corporated firm of the Cra ver ifc Steele Man- 
ufacturing Company, at Harvey, III., is 
^ the subject of this sketch. He was born 

in Wyoming County, N. Y., August 1,5, 1816, be- 
ing the son of James Steele, whose birthplace was 
Londonderry, N. II. The grandfather, David Steele, 
was a native of New Hampshire, having been born 
of Scotch-Irish parents, and there spent his life in 
agricultural pursuits. The father was an early 
settler of Wyoming County, where he bought land 
in the Holland Purchase, near Arcade, there en- 
gaging in farming and stock-dealing. At the age 
of sixty-six years he passed away, having long 
proclaimed his adherence to the Baptist Church. 
In politics, like many thoughtful men of his time. 




dj^^^^ 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



333 



he was an ardent "Whig. The mother of our sub- 
ject was named Miranda (Parker) Steele, a. daugh- 
ter of Ellas Parker, who removed from Vermont 
to Wyoming County, N. Y. Four children were 
born to Mr. and Mrs. Steele, Sr., three of whom 
grew up and are now living. 

Our subject, who was the eldest of tlie family, was 
reared on a farm at Arcade, and later entered an 
academy at Springville, Erie County'. Until he 
was twent\'-one years of age he continued under 
his father's care. At Arcade, N. Y., he engaged in 
the manufacture of woolen goods, having a fine 
water-power, and also here engaged in the raising 
of cattle and sheep, dealing in the same. In the 
spring of 1857 he made his first trip to Iowa, 
bringing with him some lambs, and now has farm- 
ing interests here and also near Huron, S. Dak. 
In 1866 he closed out his woolen business in the 
East and located here in 1868, beginning in the 
lumber business, and gradually drifting into a man- 
ufacturing business, at the same time opening 
up a farm of three hundred and twenty acres, 
which he improved with good buildings and miles 
of tiling and all modern improvements. In 1881 
or 1882 he began the manufacture of headers, 
baying the patented Randolph Header and taking 
tlie present business site of the Spaulding Shops. 
They now manufacture the Craver-Steele Header 
very extensively in connection with wagons and 
buggies. 

Our subject was induced to remove his manu- 
facturing business to Harvej' by Mr. Harvey, the 
owner of the land. Here the plant occupies seven 
acres, two and a-half miles south of Chicago limits. 
The capital stock of the company is 1400,000 and 
the buildings occupj' three and one-half acres of 
land. When -Air. Steele inquired in Grinnell for 
an honest young man, whom he could trust and 
take into his confidence in the business he saw 
opening up before him in 1868, Charles F. Graver 
was so well reccommended to liim that an acquaint- 
ance resulted in his appointment as manager and 
later in his acceptance as a partner in the companj'. 
He was born in this count}', a brave soldier who 
fought for the Union cause and later served in the 
State Legislature. Now the management of the 
vast business falls to his care, and some idea maj- 



be formed of the industry, when last year fourteen 
hundred and twenty-four machines were sent to 
the Argentine Republic, South America, and in 
1893 their sales there exceeded sixteen hundred. 

Our subject was married in Arcade in 1841, to 
Miss Ann D. Tracy, who was born in Granville, 
Washington County, N. Y. She died in Arcade, 
leaving three children. Of these. Miss Louisa C, 
a graduate of Oberlin College, died here; Elmira 
T. attended college here, and died in her twentieth 
year; and Mary S., educated at Oberlin, is now 
Mrs. Lucius S. Sanders, of this city. Outside of 
his manufacturing business, which gives employ- 
ment to an army of men, Mr. Steele was one of 
the organizers of the First National Bank, and 
filled the office of President until he resigned. 
To his religious denomination, the Congrega- 
tional, he has contributed liberally ever since his 
residence here, and has given of his means to all 
religious and educational enterprises. The resi- 
dence of our subject is located on the corner of 
High Street and Third Avenue, a most delightful 
home. In politics Mr. Steele is a very ardent 
Republican, taking the deepest interest in all that 
concerns his party. He has had an unusually 
successful business career, but wealth has not made 
him grasping or penurious, in fact, just the oppo- 
site, and he possesses the esteem of the public and 
the affection of his employes. 



-.^ c=1. 



^+^[ 



eAPT. CHARLES ALEXANDER LUCAS, 
a prominent agriculturist residing upon 
section 23, Graham Township, ■lohnson 
County, Iowa, is one of the most able, energetic, 
intelligent and earnest workers in behalf of public 
reform in the State of Iowa. A man of compre- 
hensive ideas, liberal in his views, and suggestive 
in thought, he has accomplished much of good and 
been a most important factor in the promotion of 
the best interests of Johnson County. Capt. Lucas, 
who wears the button of the Grand Arm} of the 
Republic, and who gained proud distinction for 
his gallant bearing upon the field of war, is a na- 



334 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



tive of Belgium, where he was born March 6, 
1836. He was reared in his native land, and care- 
fully trained in hal)its of thrifty industry by 
his excellent [larents, .John Baptiste and Mary 
Therese (Jurion) Lucas, who were both natives of 
Belgium, where the father died in 1847, but the 
mother, surviving, lived to make her home in Gra- 
ham Township, and there passed away .Tune IC, 
1864. 

Capt. Lucas served with faithful fidelit3- in the 
Belgian army for five years, enlisting April 25, 
1 854. Entering upon duty as a private, he was rap- 
idl3' promoted, and was successively Corporal, Ser- 
geant, Sergeant-Fourrier and Sergeant- Major, and 
received his honorable discharge May 4, 1859. 
Again a civilian, our subject made rapid prepara- 
tion for his departure for America, which country 
he had from early 3'outh determined to make his 
future home. Sailing from Antwerp May 27, 
1859, he arrived in New York after a safe and 
speedy passage July 11, 1859, and reaching Iowa 
City July 19, settled upon his farm of one hundred 
and fifty-six acres August 1 of the same j'ear, And 
was in a brief time busily engaged in the duties of 
agriculture, which now demanded his attention. 
The land upon which Capt. Lucas settled was 
partly improved prairie, and it required much hard 
work, intelligent knowledge and pr.actical experi- 
ence to bring the homestead up to its present fine 
state of cultivation. The farm, to-da}- one of the 
best in this part of the country, is substantially im- 
proved with a commodious and attractive resi- 
dence, good barns and outbuildings, whose size 
and general appointments denote the wise and 
thrifty management of the owner of the broad 
acres. 

The peaceful pursuit of agriculture was rudely 
interrupted by the clamor of war, and August 16, 
1862, Capt. Lucas patriotically engaged in the 
service of his adopted country, and enlisted in 
Company 1), Twent3'-fourtli Infantry, as a private. 
Soon receiving deserved promotion, he became 
Sergeant, and Dccemlier 16, 1862, was promoted 
Second Lieutenant, which position he held until 
September 5, 1864, when he was made First Lien- 
tenant. November 2, 1864, he w.as |)ronH)ted again, 
then being commissioned Captain, and serving at 



the head of his company until July 17, 1865, when 
the troops were disbanded, and Capt. Lucas, hav- 
ing bravely done his duty in behalf of the na- 
tional existence of this land of freedom, was mus- 
tered out of service and returned once more to his 
vocation as a peaceful tiller of the soil. Our sub- 
ject was present in many of the most decisive bat- 
tles of the long campaign, and actively participated 
in the engagements of Port CTibson, Champion 
Hill, siege of Vicksburg, siege of Jackson, and 
was in the thickest of the fights at Winchester, 
Fisher's Hill and Cedar Creek. Capt. Lucas also 
engaged in the Red River campaign, and met the 
enemy in skirmishes and hand-to-hand encounters 
too numerous to mention; was also under Gen. W. 
T. Sherman through Georgia and the Carolinas, 
from January 20, 1865, to the close of the war. 
Although surrounded constantly bj' dangers and 
privations, our subject, whose health was much 
impaired by constant exposure, and who was reall\' 
very ill at times, never was on the sick list, nor 
ever asked to be excused from active duty. He 
was present in all the engagements in which his 
regiment took part, and the rigid performance of 
duty as exemplified by him has been manifest in 
his entire career as a civilian, soldier, friend and 
citizen. 

Capt. Charles Alexander Lucas was on Julj' 23, 
1867, in Iowa City, united in marriage with Mrs. 
Mar}' E. P. (Rouyer) Lucas, widow of Heniy J. 
Lucas, who died in Graham Township, in January, 
1866. Mrs. Lucas was born in France, June 19, 1842, 
and bore her second husband four children. Charles 
F. was the eldest son; then follow in order of 
birth Louis H.; Martha C, who died at eighteen 
years of age, January 23, 1891; and Clara T., the 
youngest of the family. Not man}' days, after the 
death of the beloved daughter, Mrs. Mary Lucas 
passed away deeply mourned, February 15, 1891. 

Capt. Lucas and the various members of his 
family occupy positions C)f usefulness and honor, 
and no man in the country holds in a higher de- 
gree the confidence and esteem of his fellow-citi- 
zens than our subject. As evidence of this fact a 
circumstance which occurred at a regimental re- 
union held in Marion, Linn County, in September, 
1891, is especially interesting, the more so as it 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



335 



clearly demonstrates that in matters of patriotic 
sentiment and genuine regard all nationalities and 
creeds may meet on the common platform of mu- 
tual appreciation and esteem. At this regimental 
reunion, whose members (noticeably those of Capt. 
Lucas' old compan y) were nearly all American born 
and of the Protestant faith, our subject was pre- 
sented — unexpectedly to him — with a magnificent 
gold-headed cane, which is doubly precious as a 
memento of the ties of the past and present. Sergt. 
John E. .layne made the presentation speech, and 
altiiought Capt. Lucas was for a moment overcome 
by this expression of kindly feeling and high re- 
gard, he responded in his usual iiappy manner. 

Politically, our subject was for many years an 
ardent Republican, casting his first Presidential 
vote for Lincoln, while in the army under Sheri- 
dan in the Shenandoah Yalle}'. Capt. Lucas was 
also a great admirer of the lamented Garfield, and 
it was not until the canvass of 1884 that his politi- 
cal convictions began to undergo a change. Op- 
posed to high tariff, and earnestly believing that 
the Democratic party is the party of the laboring 
people, and especially of the farmers, Capt. Lucas 
is now as strong a Democrat as was ever the im- 
mortal Thomas Jefferson. In religious affiliation, 
our subject is a Catholic, but he has no prejudice 
against those of otlier faith, and in his friendships 
no question of creed enters. In the conduct of 
the township offices he has displayed conscientious 
faithfulness to the best interests of tiie community, 
and, a friend to educational advancement, has la- 
bored to promote the upward progress of the 
schools and m the matter of local improvements 
has given most efficient service. A genuine soldier, 
he tights the wrongs of to-day as valiantly with 
word and pen as so man}' years ago he met the 
enemy on the field of war with deadlier weapon. 

Capt. Lucas wields a facile and logical pen, and 
has handled with vigor the subjects of Good 
Roads, Prohibition in Iowa, Tariff, Fraternity be- 
tween the Federals and Confederates, and has flung 
hot-shot at the members of the Farmers' Alliance, 
who sell their goods at home and make their pur- 
chases elsewhere. Our subject believes prohibi- 
tion wrong, and high license the only thing allow- 
able in a free country. As to the question of 



right of way and the best roads attainable, the 
Captain has made scores of friends by the stand 
he has taken in the matter. As a man earnest and 
upright, as a soldier brave and fearless, and as a 
citizen progressive and public-spirited, Capt. Lucas 
has well earned the right to demand the full, free 
and liberal interpretation of the Constitution of 
the United States, and a host of friends bid him 
God-speed and victorious results in his' crusade in 
behalf of right and justice. 






<* IjfolLLIAM H. FRY. This gentleman is an 
\^// excellent type of the progressive, enter- 
^^ prising and energetic American farmer 
for he has been successful in following this call- 
ing, is decidedl}' intelligent in the conduct of his 
affairs, and is public-spirited and law-abiding. 
In his case the observation, '-There is no royal 
road to fortune," is fully verified, for upon start- 
ing out to make his own way in life he was with- 
out means, but is now in independent circum- 
stances, owing to the fact that he was energetic 
and always retained his good health. 

Our subject was born in Licking Count}', Ohio, 
February 6, 1813, and there on the home farm he 
learned to make himself useful and to be help- 
ful in many ways, his education being acquired in 
the district schools, he receiving such advantages as 
one could from that source, the buildings in which 
his knowledge of the "three R's" was obtained be- 
ing of the must primitive description. In addition 
to becoming familiar with the duties of farming, 
he learned the carpenter's trade, which he found 
to be of great use to him after his removal to 
Iowa, in the fall of 1839, at which time there was 
not a white settler within many miles, although 
the face of the red man was a familiar sight. In 
those days Mr. Fry did considerable hunting, for 
deer were very plentiful, and turkey was by no 
means a luxurj'. Iowa City consisted of -a few 
log cabins, the nearest markets being Davenport 
and Muscatine, where they would dispose of their 



336 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



grain in exchange for provisions. In 1842 a mill 
was built on Clear Creek by David Swisher, which 
the}' found a great convenience. February 20, 
1843, Ml-. Fry was married to Miss Betsey Harris, 
who was born in Indiana, and who had come to 
Johnson County with her parents in 1837, their 
settlement being made on the Iowa River. In 
1846 Mrs. Fry died, leaving two children: Ellen, 
Mrs. Hughes; and Marshall, who was killed at the 
siege of Vicksburg, May 22, 1863, at which time 
he w.as serving his country as a member of Com- 
pany I, Twenty-second Iowa Infantry'. 

On the 12th of January, 1847, Mr. Fry took a 
second wife in the person of Miss Harriet Cole, 
whose birth occurred in Scioto County, Ohio, 
on the 16th of August, 1826. She was reared in 
Franklin County, of her native State, but came 
to Iowa in June, 1843, the trip by wagon to 
this State taking one month. In time the fol- 
lowing children gathered about their hearthstone, 
Matilda, Mrs. Williams; Eudora, Mrs. McCr.ay; 
Lucelia and Clarissa, deceased; Charlotte, Mrs. 
Dunlap; James, William, Sylvester, Clinton, Al- 
bert, and one who died in infancy. As a land- 
holder Mr. Fry first became possessed of two hun- 
dred and eighty acres of Government land, on 
which he erected, as soon as quick hands and an 
eager heart could accomplish it, a rude log cabin, 
duly chinked and daubed, in which he proudly 
settled with his young wife. He at once began 
tlie laborious work of improving his farm, and, al- 
though this was necessarily carried on verj' slowly, 
it was none the less sure, and in time the place 
took on an appearance of thrift, which was in 
strict accordance with every trait of Mr. Fry's 
character. Here he laid the foundations of his 
present prosperity, and has always been considered 
one of the substantial men of the county. 

At the time of our subject's settlement here 
there wei'e but two log cabins between his father's 
house and Iowa City. In 1852 the village called 
Frytown for many years (but which is now known 
as Frank Pierce) w.as laid out and named in honor 
of our subject. He has disposed of a consider- 
able amount of his land, but is still possessed of a 
fine tract, comprising one hundred and fifty-nine 
acres, which his advancing jears compel him to 



rent. From the ver}- time of his settlement here 
he applied himself to .agricultural pursuits, with 
the above-mentioned results, and he has the un- 
bounded satisfaction of knowing that what he 
has in the way of worldly goods has been .ac- 
quired through his own efforts. 

Although by no means a politician, Mr. Fry 
has always earnestly supported the men and meas- 
ures of the Democratic party, and has held various 
township offices. He was Postmaster at Frank 
Pierce (at first known as Frytown) from 18.53 to 
1873, notwithstanding his political proclivities, 
being the first Postm.aster of the place. lie and 
his worthy wife have long been members of the 
Christian Church, and among their friends and 
acquaintances the respect and regard shown them 
are in full keeping with their well-established repu- 
tation for hospitality and true and sincere cordi- 
ality. 



RS. EMELINK FORBES, a very highly 
esteemed resident of Grinnell, Iowa, is 
the widow of Hon. Darwin Forbes, now 
deceased, who during life was more promi- 
nently connected with both public and local affairs 
concerning Grinnell than almost any other man of 
his day. Mrs. Forbes was born in Alexandria, 
N. H., February 21, 1810, which was also the birth- 
place of her father, Joseph, and her gr.andfather, 
Nason Cass. She was the eldest of the eight chil- 
dren, was reared in her own pleasant home in New 
Hampshire and there attended the common schools 
and at the .age of eighteen went out as a teacher. 
For four years she followed that profession, but in 
March, 1833, married Mr. Darwin Forbes, and 
from that time her life was merged into his. As 
years passed on she was his heaitj' supporter in 
every good work, and when honors were accorded 
him, with the dignity of true womanhood she w.as 
prepared to take her proper place at his side. 

Darwin Forbes was born in New Chester, now 
Hill, N. II., May 21), 1806, a son of Dr. Sethus B. 




'If 




-^xc, ///-: ^-^-cUUyu 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



339 



Forbes, a native of Connecticut, and a graduate of 
Dartmouth College. He practiced medicine in 
New Hampshire for many years and finally died 
tlierc at the age of eighty 3'ears. The mother 
of Mr. Forbes was Ruth (Wells) Forbes, also a na- 
tive of New Chester, now Hill, N. H. David was 
the second child of the famil}' and was reared in iiis 
native State, where for seven years he successfully 
engaged in scliool teaching. In 1833, he engaged in 
tiie mercantile business in Alexandria, removing 
from there to Grafton, Hill and other places as the 
demands of trade seemed to warrant. For two 
terms he served as Representative to the New Hamp- 
shire Legislature, but in 1868 he removed to this 
State and bought a farm in Grinnell Township, con- 
sisting of one hundred and seventy acres of im- 
proved land, which he farmed for five years. Dur- 
ing his residence in this city he became a very 
prominent man, being President of the Grin- 
nell Savings Bank for some years, and a Director 
of the Merchants' Bank, and in 1884 was honored 
bj' the citizens of Grinnell by being elected to the 
otHce of Mayor. 

Before leaving the East his sturd}' qualities, com- 
mon-sense and absolute integrit}' had gained for 
our subject many positions of trust, among them 
being that of Postmaster of both Grafton and 
Alexandria. He is also County Road Commis- 
sioner of Grafton County, and was soon after 
made an Alderman, which office he long held. 
For some years before his demise he engaged 
in the loan and real-estate business, connect- 
ing it, .as he did all the enterprises of life, with 
a strict honesty that in these d.ays is some- 
times called old-fashioned. All of his life he 
was a strong temperance advocate and anti-slavery 
man, although a Democrat in politics. Both he 
and wife were members of the Uuiversalist faith, 
lie being a man of most liberal feeling, but despis- 
ing hypocricy and ceremonials of all kinds. Ilis 
death occurred April 26, 1892, and then p.assed 
away one of the kindest and most sympathetic men 
that this city has ever seen. Many homes in Iowa 
and elsewhere owe to him their present peace and 
happiness, .as he was a sincere friend, with broad 
benevolence and unbounded charity. However, 
as he was honest himself, he exacted integrity from 



all around him, without being narrow, harsh or 
unreasonable. In business matters his standing 
and integrity were such that where others would 
have been required to give a bond, his word was suf- 
ficient. His bereaved wife was left alone, their two 
children having botli been called away. Proctor in 
1 874, at the age of forty years and Mar3' Jane at 
the age of twenty-one, before coming West. Our 
subject is a lady most favorably known for her be- 
nevolence and charity, and is regarded by the peo- 
ple of Grinnell with the greatest affection. 



EORGE W. DODDER is a well-known .Jus- 
tice of the Peace of Iowa City, in discharg- 
ing the duties of which position he has 
shown himself impartial, just .and intelligent. He 
was born in Stillwater Township, Sussex County, N. 
J., May 11, 1 8 1 5, a son of Abraham Dodder, a native 
of that State, a farmer by occupation and a soldier 
m the War of 1812. He w.as a son of J.acob Dodder, 
a native of German j' and a patriotic soldier of the 
Revolution. The wife of Abraham Dodder was 
Margaret Wintermute, whose birth occurred in 
New Jerse}' also, her father, Peter Wintermute, 
having been born in New .Jersey. An ancestor of 
Mrs. Dodder, .John George Wintermute, a native 
of Germany, came to the United States in 1734. 
Abraham Dodder spent his life on a farm in Sussex 
Cou7ity, N. J., and there he reared a family of 
nine children to honorable manhood and woman- 
hood, of wliom George W. was the youngest, and 
is now the only survivor, a brother of his dying 
about two years ago at the age of ninetj'-two 
years. 

George W. Dodder, as soon as he had attained a 
suitable .age, was pl.aced in the district schools of 
Stillwater Township, where he w.as fitted for a 
higher course of instruction, afterward entering 
Lafayette C'ollcge, at Easton, Pa., in which institu- 
tion he pursued the paths of learning for about 
two years. Ui)on finishing his studies he began 
clerking in a store, but at the end of a few years 



340 



POKTRAIT AND BIO(^RAPHICAL RECORD 



married Miss Ettio Predmore, of Sussex County, 
N. J., after wliicli lie turned his attention to other 
modes of obtaining a living. Upon his I'cmoval 
to Port Jervis, N. Y., he kept tlie Parle House, and 
under his capaljle management it became known as 
a first-class hostelry. He became a citizen of Iowa 
City, Iowa, in July, 18.55, and in 1861, being rightl}' 
considered an excellent man for the position, he was 
electe<l to the olfice of Justice of the Peace, which 
oHice he has held continuously up to the present 
time, with the exception of two years, and is now 
elected to the office for two ^-ears to come. This 
long public service illustrates Mr. Dodder's popu- 
larity and the fact that his intelligence and impar- 
tiality are recognized. Mr. Dodder has married 
more couples than any other man in his section of 
the State, the number often reaching as high a 
figure as seven couples in one dsiy. It is a matter 
of history' that the first colored jury ever impan- 
eled in the United States was by Mr. Dodder, the 
case being Agnes Hascet, plaintiff, vs. Josephine 
Bell, defendant, and it was tried in Iowa City, 
Iowa, Maj' 24, 1869. On that date, an original 
notice was issued and made returnable on the 
29th of May, 1869, at 2 o'clock r. m., claiming 
from the defendant $10. The notice was returned 
duly served by Hiram Toms, constable, and on the 
above-mentioned date the case was tried with Cor- 
nell ife Bro. attorneys for the plaintiff, and L. P. 
Frost attorney for the defendant, and b}' agree- 
ment of the parties the case was continued till 
June 8, 1869, at 2 o'clock v. m. and a jury de- 
manded by the defendant. The following juiT 
was subptenaed by II. Toms, constable, and ap- 
peared in answer to their summons: James How- 
ard, Cyrus Winston, Lary Stephens, Nelson Hill, 
Lemuel II. Boon and Charles Morgan, all colored. 
There being no objection to these jurors on account 
of color, they were sworn and took their seats. The 
following were witnesses examined on the part of 
plaintilT: Agnes Hascet, Norris Powell and Susan 
Newser. The following witnesses were for the de- 
fendant: Josephine Bell, Fred Brown and Elizabeth 
Bell. Afier hearing the testimony the jury retired 
to deliberate and returned with a verdict in favor 
of the plaintiff for $2.50 damages, bearing 6 per 
cent, interest, and costs of suit taxed at $16.90. 



To the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Dodder live 
children were born: Melissa, wife of James Eckert; 
Margaret E., wife of A. G. Tucker; Ellie A., wife of 
J. Patton; Meckie,at home; and Amelia, wife of J. 
D. Sperrj', Superintendent of the glassworks, Rock 
Island, III. Mr. Dodder has alwaj's been a Demo- 
crat, and for the past thirty years has been a mem- 
ber of the Iowa City Lodge No. 4, A. F. it A. M., 
in which he is a Knight Templar. Mr. Dodder 
was curator of the State Historical Society for a 
number of years. His residence at No. 323 Clinton 
Street is comfortable and pleasant. He has always 
been a man of untarnished reputation and is de- 
servedly classed among the best residents of Iowa 
City, in which place he numbers his friends by the 
score. 

On the 18th of March, 1893, occurred the reun- 
ion of the fiftj'-sixth anniversaiy of Mr. and Mrs. 
Dodder's marriage, in which every member of the 
family was present, they having never lost a child 
in that great length of time. 



WILLIAM II. MILLER, a prominent citizen 
and successful general agriculturist and 
stock-raiser, resides upon section 11, Big 
Grove Township, Johnson Count}-, Iowa, and has 
long owned the valuable homestead, one of the 
most highly improved pieces of farming property in 
this part of the State. The one hundred and sixty 
acres are all under high cultivation, and the sub- 
stantial buildings, residence and barns are modem 
in design and commodious in construction. For 
the past score of years intimately associated with 
the growth and advancement of this locality, our 
subject is widely known and highly respected. 
Mr. Miller is a native of Dauphin County, Pa., and 
was born February 24, 1842. The Millers were of 
German descent, but the immediate ancestors emi- 
grated to this country many years ago. The fa- 
ther, Philip Miller, was a Pennsylvanian by birlh, 
and one of the pioneer settlers 'of Iowa, entering 
land in Cedar Township, Johnson County, in 1845, 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



341 



aud was one of the (irst farmers of the township. 
He and his fainil\' occupied a log cabin surrounded 
by Indians, and were in the midst of wild game, 
deer being j-et abundant. Father Miller survives 
and continues to reside u|)on the old farm, en- 
deared to him by many associations of the past. 

John Miller, the paternal grandfather, was a 
farmer of Pennsylvania, and served bravely in the 
War of 1812. His wife was in maidenhood Miss 
Jane Anderson; she sur,vived to a good old age, 
and Grandfather Miller passed away at three-score 
3'ears and ten. Father Philip Miller was burn 
June 14, 1814, and is the only one of the ten sis- 
ters and brothers now living. He was reared upon 
the home farm, and, enjoying but few advantages, 
worked for his father until about twenty-seven 
years of age, when he began life for himself. Ar- 
riving by boat in 1845, as before stated, he landed 
in Muscatine, and soon after located land where 
he now resides, and building a small house of 
logs, 12x14 feet, entered at once upon the jiriva- 
tions and experiences of the pioneer settlers of 
those early days. He liroke his acres with ox- 
teams, and slowly but surely the land yielded to 
the plough, the native prairie giving |)lace to wav- 
ing fields of ripening corn and grain. Father 
Miller was politically a Henry Clay AVhig, but in 
1856 became an ardent Republican, always exer- 
cising his right of franciiise until tlie fall of 1892, 
when, on account of illness, he was unable to go 
to the polls. In 1840, Philip Miller was united 
in marriage with Miss Sarah Gaymon, a noble 
woman universall}' respected and esteemed, and 
who passed away deeply mourned in 1884. 

William H. was the eldest of four children, all 
living, and the third in order of birth. Reared 
amid the primitive life of the early settlers, our 
subject grew up to a vigorous and self-reliant man- 
hood. In his early youth he enjoyed tiie privilege 
of attending school during the three winter months 
and at other times assisted in clearing and improv- 
ing the land of the old homestead, and was his fa- 
ther's main stay in the daily toil. In 1866 Mr. 
Miller purchased his properly on section 11, then 
all wild prairie land. He was a single man, and 
for a number of 3'ears lived alone in a small shanty 
aud devoted himself diligently to tilling the soil. 



which now yields him an abundant harvest. In 
1871 our suljject was united in marriage with Miss 
Rebecca Jolly, of Dearborn County, Ind., and a 
daughter of Charles and Martha (Southard) Jolly. 
The father was a native of New Jersey, and the 
mother was born on Long Island, N. Y. The 
JoUys were of New England stock, energetic, ear- 
nest and patriotic citizens. Grandfather Jolly 
fought bravely in the Revolutionary War, and 
having been captured, died in a sugar house in 
New York City, where he was held prisoner. 

The father of Mrs. Miller emigrated to Indiana 
from New Jersey in a very earl^' day, and settled 
in the southern part of the Hoosier State about 
1831. He was a stone and brick-mason by occupa- 
tion, and followed this trade all his life. He 
was a stanch Union man during the war, and 
served as enrolling clerk on two occasions. He 
held township olTices with marked ability, and, an 
upright and sincere Christian man, was highly re- 
spected. He was a member of the Methodist Elpis- 
copal Church, and passing away in 1873, was 
deeply regretted by all who knew him. The ma- 
ternal grandfather emigrated from Long Isl- 
and to southern Indiana in the year 1816, and 
crossing the mountains with his family, came by 
water from Pittsburgh to his destination. Indiana 
had but sliortl3' before been admitted into the 
Union when Mr. Southard made his home within 
its borders. Tiie country was new, and Indians 
and wild game surrounded the incoming settlers. 
Mr. Southard was a wagon-maker by trade, but af- 
ter settling in the West, devoted himself to agri- 
cultural pursuits. Tiie mother of Mrs. Miller re- 
sides with her, and although eighty years of age, 
is hale and hearty and remarkably well preserved. 
Seven of her nine children still survive. One son 
died while bravely serving in the Civil AVar, three 
daughters live in Iowa City, two in Kansas and one 
in South Dakota. Mrs. Southard is a most estim- 
able lad3', and a life-long member of the Method- 
ist Episcopal Church. 

Mrs. Miller received her early education in the 
district schools, and arriving in Iowa in 1864, en- 
tered the State Universit3- and enjoyed a special 
course of instruction, afterward teaching for some 
time. Our subject and his excellent wife have one 



342 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



son, Harlcy, their only child. Mrs. Miller is a 
valued member of the Christian Church, and with 
her family is foremost in the promotion of good 
work. Politically, Mr. Miller is a stanch Repub- 
lican, and an earnest advocate of the party of re- 
form. Never an officer-seeker, he takes a deep in- 
terest in local and national issues, and is highly 
esteemed as a progressive and public-spirited citi- 
zen. 



\!^ETER ANDERSON, a prominent general ag- 
I JjP riculturist and stock-raiser, who has for the 
\r^ past quarter of a century been among the 
i\ leading and prosperous citizens of Honey 
Creek Township, Iowa County, Iowa, owns a mag- 
nificent farm of four hundred and thirty-seven 
acres, attractively located in the fertile valley of 
the Iowa River. The homestead, under a high 
state of cultivation, is well improved witli substan- 
tial and commodious barns and outbuildings and 
contains one of the best country residences, erected 
in 1887, in this part of the State. Our subject 
was born in Sweden, January 21, 1836, and was 
the son of Peter and Annie (Svvenson) Anderson, 
also natives of Sweden and descendants of a long 
line of ancestry, residents of that portion of ICur- 
ope. Peter Anderson was bred a farmer and with 
his wife and family emigrated to America, where 
he hoped to obtain land and more successfully 
follow his vocation of a tiller of the soil. 

The first home of the family was in Chau- 
tauqua Count)', N. Y., from where after a time they 
removed to Illinois, and settled in Peoria. They 
then located in Knoxville, Knox County, where, in 
1854, the mother passed away. Many years 
after the father died in Jasper Countj', Iowa, 
at sixt3'-five years of age. The parents were hon- 
est, hard-working and industrious citizens, and 
were blessed with a family of six sturdy children, 
of whom but three are now living. One daughter 
resides in Newton, Iowa; one son makes his home 
in Belle Plaine, Benton County, Iowa. Our bub- 



ject, who completes the list of the surviving fam- 
ily, received a good common-school education in 
Sweden. He was about sixteen years of age when 
with his parents he crossed the broad Atlantic, and 
for a long six weeks and a-half was tossed upon 
the foaming billows before their eyes were glad- 
dened with tiie sight of tlie long-looked-for port 
of New York. 

Mr. Anderson attended school but a very brief 
time in America, and soon after his parents' 
arrival in Illinois he hired out to work upon a 
farm. Until the year 1858 he faithfully worked 
for others and theii he located on a farm in 
Peoria Count}'-, Medina Township, and began life 
for himself. In the year 1868, our subject re- 
moved to Honey Creek Township, which has since 
been his constant home. When Mr. Anderson 
first located ujjon section 8, he owned but two 
iiundred and forty-one acres of land, but slightly 
improved, and having brought this acreage into 
line cultivation has since twice added to the ex- 
tent of his homestead. He first purchased the ad- 
joining one hundred and forty-two acres and then 
bought fifty-two more, and has 'now one of the 
best and most profitable farms in the county. In 
1855, while in Peoria, Mr. Anderson learned the 
jiainter's trade, and followed that business for 
three years, but since he came to Iowa has devoted 
himself entirely to agricultural duties, and raises 
all kinds of stock extensively, except sheep. A 
fine artesian well furnishes the stock with water 
and is also used for other purposes. 

Our subject was in 1864 united in marriage 
with Miss Louise Dickinson, a native of Peoria 
County, III., and a daughter of James and Jane 
(Stearns) Dickinson. The father was a native of 
Indiana, and the mother was born in Ohio. They 
were very early settlers of Peoria County, where 
the maternal grandparents of Mrs. Anderson set- 
tled when there was only a log cabin on the place, 
and they were obliged to seek shelter from the 
Indians in the fort for a time. The father of Mrs. 
Anderson died in 1856, leaving four children, all 
of whom yetsurvive. The mother lived until 1885, 
and then peacefully passed away. 

Our subject and his highly esteemed wife are 
the parents of eight children. James W. is the eld- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



343 



estboin; then follow Nellie, Mary, Annie, Daisy, 
Bertha, Effle, and Florence, deceased. The son 
and daughters, the eldest of whom have attained to 
early manhood and womanhood, are fitting them- 
selves to occupy positions of usefulness, and will 
in the coming j-ears worthilj' represent the family 
name. Mr. and Mrs. Anderson are Seventh Day 
Adventists and sincere Cluistian people, active 
in good work and liberally aid in the extension 
of religious influence. Mr. Anderson is politically 
a strong Democrat, and lias held with honor and 
ability several of the local offices, and for many 
years lias been one of the prominent factors in the 
promotion of enterprise in the township. He is 
widely known and respected for his energetic in- 
dustry, intcgrit}^ of character and his patriotic 
spirit. 



D 



ATHANIEL BOWERS, the venerable sub- 
ject of this sketch, is nicely located upon 
section 34, Clear Creek Township, John- 
son County. Iowa, where he lives surrounded by 
friends who esteem him for his many good quali- 
ties. He was born in Ohio, .lune 29, 1824, the son 
of John Bowers, a native of Maryland, who was a 
farmer of German descent. He settled in Ohio when 
a boy, and died at the age of about seventy years. 
The mother of our subject, Margaret (Swinhart) 
Bowers, a native of Pennsylvania, of German de- 
scent, died at about the age of seventy 3'ears. She 
was the mother of ten children, our subject being 
the fourth. 

Nathaniel Bowers, our subject, grew up on the 
farm, working in the busy season, and attending 
school at every opportunity, remaining there un- 
til he was twenty-four years old. He was mar- 
ried to Esther Wood, a native of Ohio, who bore 
him two children: Benjamin W., of Coralville, 
Iowa; and Joseph W., of Nebraska; and then the 
mother died. Our subject married a second time, 
the maiden name of this wife being Rebecca Dut- 



ton, a native of Tuscarawas County. Ohio, who 
was born September 10, 1834. Her father, Jere- 
miah Dutton, was a native of Ohio, and her 
mother, Sarah (Ripper) Dutton, a native of the 
same State. 

Mr. and Mrs. Bowers were the parents of ten 
children, namely: Sarah M., wife of Peter Jip.sen, 
of Cass County, Iowa; Millie A., wife of Fred 
Charbon, of Johnson County; Nancy Jane, de- 
ceased; Emma L., wife of Charles K. Colony, of 
Clear Creek; Charles D.,at home; John II., at home; 
Mary E.. wife of W. B. Brown, of Clear Creek; 
Martha M., deceased; Ellen E., at home; and Frank 
W., deceased. Our subject came to Johnson 
County in 18(54, and located upon the farm where 
he now resides and which he had bought in 185.5. 
There was a small log cabin upon it and about 
thirty acres were broken; now a fine farm residence 
stands on the place, which has increased to two 
hundred and forty acres, all well improved, upon 
which he carries on general farming and stock- 
raising. Mr. Bowers votes the Democratic ticket 
in Presidential elections, but in local elections sup- 
ports the best man. He has been a School Direc- 
tor, and was Township Trustee for seven years, 
and has held the office of Road Supervisor. Our 
subject and wife are consistent members of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church at Titlin. 






I I^RIGHT CHAIMBEKLAIN, the subject of 
\/\l// ^'''* *'*'^''^l^i ^ citizen of Grinnell, Iowa, is 
^^^ associated with C. E. Schoff in the owner- 
ship of the Independent Snjnal of that city, of 
which each is an equal partner. Our subject was 
born in Newbury, Orange County, Vt., August 27, 
1843; his father, Johnson Chamberlain, being also 
a native of the same place. His grandfather. Col. 
Moody Chamberlain, a native of M.assacluisetts, 
was a Colonel in the War of 1812, and a farmer 
and hotel-keeper. The father was a farmer b}' oc- 



344 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



cupation and a Democrat from sincere conviction. 
Like liis father before him lie fiied in tiie (Jreen 
Mountain State. 

Tlie niotiier of our subject, Olive (Ilazeltine) 
Chamberlain, was born at Stanstead, Province of 
Quebec, the daughter of David Hazeltine, a farmer 
and a native of Vermont. Our subject is the eld- 
est of three children, two of whom are living. 
Mr. Chamberlain lived at Newbury and graduated 
from the M. E. Seminary of that place. He be- 
gan teaching at the age of sixteen at varying in- 
tervals, until lie had completed his seminary 
course, after which, at the age of twenty-one, he 
was elected Suiieriutendent of County .Schools on 
tlie Democratic ticket, althougli liis party was 
considerably in the minority. After four years 
he resigned and engaged in stock-farming on a 
good farm in Vermont. Ills next movement was 
made in 1878, when he became a merchant in 
Lancaster, N. II., remaining there until 1885, when 
he settled at Davenport, Iowa, in charge of the 
ofKce of Smith & Brothers, wholesale grocers. He 
located in Grinnell in February, 1888, and here 
he was in the meat business for three years, and 
then in the grocery trade until June, 1892. He 
later bought a one-half interest in the Democratic 
paper and has been connected with it ever since. 
December 1, 1892, Mr. Chamberlain rented his in- 
terest to Mr. Mendenhall, with Mr. Schoff. Our sub- 
ject was married in Vermont, in the year 1868, to 
Miss Abby F. Smith, a native of Corinth, Vt., who 
has boine him three children, only one now living, 
Alice, a graduate of St. Catharine's Seminary, of 
Daven port. 

The joint partner of our subject, Charles E. 
Schoff, editor of the Independent Signal, was born 
near Portland, Ionia County, Mich., .Tune 10, 
1838. His father, Abijah, a native of Vermont, 
was an otlicer in the company of "Green Mountain 
Boys," in the War of 1812. The father settled in 
Washington County, Mich., in 1828, and two 
years later blazed his way through the great woods 
of the (irand River Valley and located on a large 
tract near Portland, farming there successfully 
until 1845, when he removed to Portland and pur- 
ch.ased a large flour and saw mill. He died in the 
following year. The grandfather of Mr. Schoff was 



in the War of the Revolution and was one of the 
early settlers of Vermont. Mr. Schoff's mother, 
Augusta (Pratt) Schoff, was a native of New York 
and a niece of Chief-Justice Storv. She ended her 
days in Michigan in 1838. Mr. Schoff resided on 
the farm until 1845, but soon after this date lived 
with a brother at Ann Arbor, Mich., where he at- 
tended the University for a time, his two brothers 
being graduates of the same. In the year 1852 he 
entered the office of the Washington WJiig, at Ann 
Arbor, of which his brother, Savillian S., was the 
editor and proprietor, the latter now being ein- 
l)loyed on the Cincinnati Commercial-Gazette. To 
him belongs the credit of establishing the first 
two-cent paper in Chicago, the Evening Mail, 
which was swept away by the great fire. Subse- 
quently Charles E. Schoff worked on the Kenosha 
(Wis.) Tfefef/rop/i as local editor. He was in Chicago 
several years, working as a printer, and later owned 
the Champaign (111.) Union from 1869 to 1882. 
During the years named Mr. Schoff was the editor 
of the Union, the success of which is ascribed to 
his energy and ability as a writer. While living 
at Champaign he represented his ward in the Cit}' 
Council for two years. He located in Grinnell, 
Iowa, in February, 1882, just in time to be finan- 
cially injured by the June cyclone. His family 
escaped fatal injuries b}' being in the cellar, al- 
though all received more or less injury. In the 
month and year above named he established the 
Signal, and later bought the Independent, consoli- 
dating the two into the Independent Signal, a 
weekly eight-column folio, Democratic in politics. 
A good job-printing office is connected with the 
newspaper, the latter being said to have the largest 
circulation in the county. 

Mr. Schoff was married at St. Jose|)h, Mich., in 
October, 1866, to Miss Gertie E.Stephens, a native 
of that place, who has borne him three children: 
Charles E., a printer, living near Eagle Grove; 
Llewellyn H. and Ernest, both on the Independent 
Signal. C. M. C. Mendenhall became a partner 
December 1, 18'.)2, he being a native of Powesiiiek 
County and a graduate of Pleasant Plains Acad- 
emy. He was at different times editor of the Jaspier 
County Banner, the Kellogg Post and the Linnville 
Truth, and is a vigorous editorial writer and a live 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



345 



news-gatherer. Mr. Chamberlain, the gentleman 
whose name appears at the opening of this sketch, 
is a member of tlie Odd Fellows and of the Masonic 
lodge. He is a Democrat in politics and an active 
worker in that part}'. 



i>^^<m 



i«)EORGE L. SANDERS, a member of the firm 
of Sanders Bros., who conduct most suc- 
V\^^! cessfuUy a large farm near the city of 
Grinnell, Iowa, is the subject of this sketch. He 
was born in New Ipswich, Hillsboro County, 
N. H., June 18, 1838, a son of Nathan Sanders, 
who was born in the same place. Grandfather 
Sanderson was born in New Hampshire, and after 
his day tiie name was changed to Sanders for brev- 
ity. The father first engaged in the hardware and 
tinware business at Blason, and later at New Ips- 
wich, where he took a jjromiueut part in the man- 
agement of public affairs, being a Selectman for 
several years. He was a Free Soiler and a Repub- 
lican, and possessed all the energy and spirit that 
make excellent men of a combination of Scotch 
and Irish blood. In 18()7, he came West and 
resided with his sons until his death, in 1887, at 
the age of eighty -seven. 

The mother of our subject was Betsey (Shedd) 
Sanders, born in Mason, N. II., a daughter of Silas 
Shedd, who was a native of HoUis, N. H., of Eng- 
lish descent. Silas Shedd was a farmer and a 
Captain iu the State militia, and among the moun- 
tains of his home his last days were passed. Mrs. 
Sanders passed away in 1887, at the home of her 
sons, only surviving her husband a few days and 
both being buried in one grave. They had been 
married over sixty years. The children of this 
devoted couple were Edwin, Elizabeth, Ellen, 
Preston, S. Luman and William, all deceased, and 
Elmira,of this county; J. H. and George L., on the 
farm; and D. A., in Arkansas. J. H. Sanders 
married Betsie Taylor, of Manchester, Vt., in 1866. 
They have a son and daugliter, nf)w in Iowa College. 
He now runs the farm in Chester Townsliii). 



D. A. Sanders, in 1879, married Hester Clifford, of 
Oneida, III., and they have three daughters. In 
1891 he moved to Ben ton villa. Ark. 

Our subject was reared in New Ipswich, N. H., 
and was educated in the common school and at 
Appleton Academy until he was eighteen years of 
age. At this time he engaged as a clerk in a 
clothing store in Fitchburg, Mass., and continued 
there for a few years, following which he spent 
two years with his brother in-law. Dr. George Jew- 
ett, in the South. Returning to Fitchburg iu 1863, 
he, with his three brothers, J. H., D. A. and S. L., 
came West, S. L. and our subject coming first to 
locate the land, and the others following in 1865. 
They bought a tract of six hundred and forty 
acres of wild land on section 31, three miles north- 
west of Grinnell, in Chester Township, and at the 
same time bought the old Reed House. After liv- 
ing in it one year they removed it to the railroad, 
and soon after to its present site, where they made 
additions to it and christened it the Sanders House. 

This inn was conducted by our subject and his 
brothers until 1870 and then it was sold, and is 
now known as the Grinnell House. Aside from 
the hotel business the brothers improved the farm, 
broke it up and worked hard, but for all their 
labor they have a reward in the beautiful farm 
they now possess. Twelve hundred acres of line 
rolling Iowa land is charged up to them on the 
tax-rolls of the count\-, and upon this tract tliey 
have one complete set of buildings, several large 
barns, tliree windmills, a geared mill and one four- 
horse power engine. The farm has all kinds of 
modern impioyements and the cultivation is of 
the best. The Sanders brothers have ground their 
feed and for twent}' years have bought and fed 
about two hundred head of cattle, besides those 
they raise. They have run a fine dairy for the i>ast 
ten 3'ears, of one hundred cows, this being tiie larg- 
est dairyin this portion of the State, tliey making 
butter for the Colorado market. This was profit- 
able, but the firm is now retiring from that branch 
of the business. Many hogs are raised on the farm, 
some fifty head of horses, principally Clydesdale 
and Norman, and Shorthorn cattle. The farm is 
well suited to grazing, as it is watered by a branch 
of Sugar Creek and also by some line springs on 



346 



POETRAir AND BIOGRATHICAL RECORD. 



the farm. The land is drained by tiling and is 
beautifully situated. Although there are so many 
acres of pasture lands, the firm buys some lifteen 
thousand bushels of corn per year. They have 
been slightly interested in siieep-raising. 

At the time of the terrific cyclone of 1882 ten 
persons were at the home of our subject in Grin- 
nell, but all took refuge in the cellar. Not a rem- 
nant of the house was left, but no one was injured. 
The next year our subject rebuilt his house, and 
his handsome residence is situated on the corner 
of Park and Seventh Avenues. Although the 
brothers have had many ups and downs they have 
in the main been unusually successful. Our sub- 
ject was married in Arcade, Wyoming County, 
N. Y., December 12, 1871, to Miss Mary A. Steele, 
who was born in Arcade, a daughter of Alonzo 
Steele (see his sketch). Three children have been 
liorn to Mr. and Mrs. Sanders: AVill S., now in the 
Sopliomore Class in Iowa College; Charles L., now 
attending the city High School; and Frank T., 
deceased. Mr. Sanders was for one term a City 
Alderman, and is an ardent Republican. lie is a 
member of the Congregational Church, of which 
he has been a Trustee. 






TEPHEN JEROME UTLEY, for many 
an honored resident and successful 
less man of Grinnell Township, Powe- 
shiek County, Iowa, and intimately asso- 
ciated with the best interests of this part of the 
State, passed away in 1890, universally mourned 
by all who knew him. A hard-working, intelli- 
gent man, his integrity of character and genuine 
enterprise won him the sincere respect and high 
regard of a large acquaintance. He was a native 
of Dutchess County, N. Y., where he passed the 
greater part of his useful life. Mr. Utley had 
been quite a traveler before he came to Iowa, 
being acquainted with a large portion of the 
United States. He had accumulated very little 
property previous to his arrival in Poweshiek 




County, but, an ingenious man of a mechanical 
turn of mind and handy with the carpenter's 
tools, he built his own houses and made the various 
improvements upon the land which he acquired 
in his Western home. 

Our subject was married in the Empire State to 
Miss Louisa Ann Sutherland, a lady of worth, and 
to the husband and wife were born four children, 
three of whom lived to reach years of maturity-. 
George, the eldest of their family, is now a pros- 
perous resident of Grinnell Township; Marj', de- 
ceased, lived to become the wife of William Wind- 
hurst and left three children; Edwin E. is num- 
bered among the business men and representative 
citizens of Grinnell Township. The loving mo- 
ther of these sons and daughter died in New York, 
and before emigrating to Iowa our subject had 
married Mrs. Mary Ann Herring, his second wife 
surviving his death. The youngest son of Stephen 
and Louise (Sutherland) Utley, Edwin E., was 
born in the State of New York in 1853, and jour- 
neyed with his father to the West when but nine 
3ears of age. In Poweshiek County he grew up 
to a self-reliant manhood, meantime receiving a 
common-school education. In 1876 Edwin E. 
LTtley and Miss Emily Noah were united in mar- 
riage. Mrs. Utley, an accomplished lady, was the 
daughter of Peter Noah, who, removing from 
Pennsylvania, became one of the early settlers 
of Hock Island County, 111., and later, in 1867, lo- 
cated with his family in Poweshiek County, Iowa, 
Mr. and Mrs. Noah were the parents of four chil- 
dren. Emil}', now Mrs. Utley, was the eldest; 
Milton M. resides in Laurens, Iowa; John S. was 
the third child; Edwin W. is a well-known citi- 
zen of Poweshiek County. 

Mr. and Mrs. Edwin E. Utley, with their fam- 
il}^ reside upon a farm of one hundred and 
twenty acres just outside the corporate limits of 
Grinnell and have a beautiful and valuable home, 
the well-tilled acres yielding annually a handsome 
revenue. Three children have blessed the attrac- 
tive homestead with their bright presence, two 
daughters and one son. James A. is the eldest- 
born; Mar}- E. is just budding into early woman- 
hood; and Stephen N. is the youngest child. In 
political afflliation Edwin E. Utley is, as was his 




n 



^Jr^^^^ (!lhA.^^All^ 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHTCAL RECORD. 



349 



father, our subject, before him, a stalwart Re- 
publican, antl is ever deeply interested in both local 
and national issues of the daj'. A prominent agri- 
culturist, and from his early youth associated 
with the growth and progressive interests of Powe- 
shiek Count}', Mr. Utley is widely known and 
numbered among the substantial citizens who may 
ever be found foremost in the promotion and 
advancement of all matters appertaining to the 
public welfare, and who, liberal in sentiment, are 
yet the firm advocates of right and justice. 



l^-^l 



I'MAN BARTLETT, whose home is on sec- 
tion 21, Cedar Township, .lohnson County, 
is a pioneer farmer, a soldier and a repre- 
sentative man. He came to this county with just 
enough means to pay for one hundred and twenty 
acres of land at $2.25 per acre. When the war 
broke out he left his wife and family of small chil- 
dren and came nobly to the defense of the Old 
Flag. Entering the army in 1862, he saw nearly 
three years of hard service, and was for five 
months a prisoner in the hands of the rebels. Af- 
ter coming to this county, he was very fond of 
hunting, as game was so i)lentiful, and he became 
an expert marksman witii the rifle. He kept 
hounds, and was very fond of the chase. So good 
was he in this direction that he was assigned duty 
with the Sharp-Shooters in the Shenandoah Valley. 
He became a member of Company D, Twenty- 
fourth Iowa Infantry, which was known as the 
Temperance Regiment, and with them was in the 
battles of Champion Hills, and the siege of Vicks- 
burg, whence they proceeded to New Orleans, 
where they were sent under Gen. Banks on the 
Red River expedition. Going to Washington, 
they next proceeded up the Shenandoah Valley, 
where they took part in the battles at AVinchester 
and Cedar Creek, where Phil Sheridan made his 
fan ous ride. He was taken prison at the latter 
engagement and confined in Libby Prison, after- 
ward being transferred to the prison at Salisbury, 

16 



N. C, and on February 22, 1865, was released. 
Altogether he was in the hands of the enemy for 
nearly five months, and was almost starved to 
death. Normally, a man of about one hundred 
and sixty-five pounds, he weighed only ninety 
when released. After suffering almost everything 
he was finally set free, and reached liis home in 
the spring of 1865. 

Seth Bartlett, the father of our subject, was a 
native of Massachusetts, and was born September 
1, 1782. His ancestors originally came from 
France, locating in New I^ngland in the early part 
of the eighteenth century. The father, who was 
a carpenter by occupation, emigrated to Ohio with 
an ox-team when there were only a few houses 
where the beautiful city of Cleveland now stands. 
He purchased and improved a farm near that city, 
and in 1854 came to Iowa. He located in .Johnson 
County, wiiere he became the owner of one hun- 
dred and sixty acres, on which he lived until Au- 
gust 26, 1868, when he was called to the home be- 
j'ond. He was a prominent and influential citi- 
zen and a devoted member of the Presbyterian 
Church. His vvife bore the maiden name of Re- 
becca Nichols, and by her marriage became the 
mother of eleven children, of whom five are de- 
ceased. She was born January 9, 1809, in Massa- 
chusetts, and departed this life October 2, 1871. 

Lyman Bartlett, the subject of this sketch, was 
born in Cuyahoga Count}-, Ohio, January 27, 1826. 
He is the youngest son of his father's family, and 
passed his boyhood days in the usual manner of 
farmer lads. He attended a log schoolhouse of 
the most primitive description, and would not 
have received a very good education had he not 
been of an exceptionally intelligent and studious 
disposition. In 1854 he came to Johnson County, 
purchasing his present farm on section 21, a tract 
of one hundred and twenty acres, for which he 
paid $2.25 per acre. It was all wild prairie land, 
and on this he erected a small frame house. He 
had his farm but partly cultivated when the war 
broke out, and his eldest child was only eleven 
years of age. His wife with rare courage and en- 
ergy carried on the place and managed things with 
remarkable ability during his absences. 

On the 2;3d of October, 1849, Mr. Bartlett mar- 



350 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



ried Frances A. Clark, a native of Northampton, 
Mass. To them were born four children: William 
and Siegel (deceased), Lyman and Edwin. Mr. 
Bartlett's farm now consists of one hundred and 
eighty-five acres, which he has entirely improved 
himself. It is under good cultivation, and is lo- 
cated in an arable and thoroughly fertile portion 
of the county. He also owns over one hundred 
acres in Greene County, Iowa. Though in his 
youth he learned the carpenter's trade with liis fa- 
ther, he has never followed that occupation to any 
extent, but lias devoted himself entirely to general 
farming. He is a Republican in politics, and per- 
sonally is a well-informed and whole-souled man, 
who makes friends of all with whom he is thrown 
in contact. In manner he is modest and unas- 
suming, and his many friends hold him in the 
highest respect for his qualities of merit, which 
cannot be disguised. 



-^^^ ^ l@^^ ^ ,is=^^ 



(T^ ^ ENRY SINKS, deceased. This gentleman, 

ITjI who was noted for his thrift, progressive 
l^^;^ spirit, success iu his undertakings and for 
^^ his unblemished reputation, though no 
longer upon earth, still holds a firm position in 
the memory and affection of his family and friends. 
He was born in Montgomery County-, Ohio, ten 
miles north of Dayton, November 22, 1817, but 
his father, Andrew Sinks, was a Pennsylvanian, so 
far as known, although his father was a native of 
Germany. He was a kindly, true-hearted man, 
whose principles were strong and pure, and tlie 
honorable and useful calling of a farmer occupied 
his attention throughout his life. 

Henry Sinks lived upon iiis father's farm and 
there learned the duties common to a farmer lad 
during the spring, summer and autumn months, 
and attended the pioneer district scliools during 
the winter, where he absorbed what learning was 
necessary to an intelligent management of busi- 
ness affairs. He also learned the shoemaker's 
trade in his youth and worked industriously at 



this trade for about two years, meeting witii fair 
success from a financial standpoint. On the 11th 
of October, 1837, he married Miss Ursula Hol- 
lingsworth, who now survives him. She was born 
in Miami County, Ohio, in 1821, and prior to her 
marriage she and a brother had inherited a farm 
of one hundred and sixty acres, and after her 
marriage with Mr. Sinks she bought out her 
brother's interest and she and her husband settled 
on this farm, where they labored industriouslj^and 
successfully until 1854. At that time corn was 
worth twelve cents a bushel and other farm prod- 
ucts were equally low in price, consequently it 
took a great deal of hard and unremitting labor to 
accumulate any means. After pursuing the labor- 
ious duties of the farm througliout the da}', his 
evenings were devoted to shoe-making, and in this 
way he laid the foundations of his success. In 
1854 he sold the farm in Ohio and came to Iowa 
County, lovva, the entire journey being made in a 
"prairie schooner," they camping out nights. He 
purchased three hundred acres of the fine farm on 
which his widow is now living, five miles north- 
west of Marengo, at which time only twenty acres 
were broken, the farm buildings consisting of a 
rude log cabin. This farm he developed and on it 
erected the present large frame farmhouse and 
barns which adorn it. It is one of the richest 
tracts of land in tlie county, for it lies along the 
Iowa River bottom, and all of it is exceedingly 
well fenced. Many other valuable improvements 
were made and with marked intelligence he car- 
ried on general farming. He always manifested 
the best of judgment in conducting liis business 
and was recognized as the soul of honor in his 
business transactions, as well as one of the stand- 
ard business men of the count}'. 

He and his wife were members of the Christian 
Churcli in their religious connection and were 
very liberal in their contributions to charitable 
and Cliristian enterprises. Their union was 
blessed by the advent of the following children: 
Caroline R. (Mrs. Brown), Emily (Mrs. Yount), 
Mary (Mrs. Simmons), Rosana (Mrs. Owens), Ce- 
celia (Mrs. Johnson), Eldora, Amanda J. and 
Louis R. Mr. Sinks was a strong Republican in his 
political proclivities, held most of the otfices of his 



POETKAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



351 



township, and for many years efficiently discharged 
the <luties of Township Trustee. He was an excep- 
tionally well-posted man and made it a point to 
be well informed on all of the current topics of 
the day, and could discuss them with ease, fluency 
and force. He had an excellent library of well- 
selected books, and in their love of reading, as 
well as in many other worthy particulars, the 
children follow in the footsteps of the worthy sire. 
At the time of his death, on the 14th of September, 
1891, he left a ver^' valuable estate of four hun- 
dred acres, which is now being successfull}' man- 
aged by Mrs. Sinks and her children. 



N#-?- -* ^Pl ' 



D. BURTON. The prominent gentleman 
Ij who is the subject of this sketch has been 
called upon to perform a number of busi- 
ness and official trusts, and in no one in- 
stance has he ever been found lacking in the ful- 
fillment oftheir requirements. This fact, with his 
hearty, honest, upright and generous nature, ex- 
plains the general high esteem in which he is held. 
Mr. Burton is Vice-president of the Grinnell Sav- 
ings Bank, a stockholder and Director in the 
grange store, and ex-Clerk of the Courts. He was 
born in Piketon, Pike County, Oiiio, September 
27, 1840, being the son of William Burton, a na- 
tive of Vermont, who was the son of Asa Burton, 
a native of England, and had served in the British 
navy. When the latter came to America he settled 
in Vermont, where he engaged in farming and 
where he lived until his death. 

The father of our subject formed one of the 
heroic band of Green Mountain boys in the War 
of 1812. He was afterward graduated from Dart- 
mouth College and became a minister in the Presby- 
terian Church. He received a call to Piketon, Ohio, 
and then was in the Presb^'terian University at 
Circleville. Later he went to Piketon, and finally 
to Austinburgh, Ashtabula County, where he died 
March 12, 1858, aged sixty -eight years. The mother 
of our subject, Elizabeth (Grant) Burton, born at 



Colebrook, Conn., was the daughter of Elijah Grant, 
of Connecticut, a farmer who ended his days in 
Colebrook. The mother came to Grinnell with her 
son, where she died April 1, 1886. The fatiier of 
our subject was married twice, having by his first 
wife two daughters, both deceased, and by his sec- 
ond wife, the mother of our subject, four sons and 
one daughter, all living, namely: Mary B., the 
wife of Prof. Shurtlefif, Treasurer of Oberlin Col- 
lege; Philander D., our subject; Edward, a mer- 
chant in Lincoln; William, who was a soldier in the 
Fifteenth Ohio Battery throughout the entire war 
and now resides in Garden Valley, Cal.; and Theo- 
dore, who resides at Cleveland, Ohio, a gradu- 
ate of Oberlin and a practicing attorney. 

Our subject was reared at Piketon until nine 
j'ears old; he then lived in Ashtabula County, 
where he attended the common schools until 
he was seventeen j'^ears of age, after which he 
was a student in Grand River Institute for three 
years, and then enlisted, August 20, 1861, in the 
Fourteenth Ohio Battery, being mustered in at 
Cleveland and sent South, where he took part in 
the battles of Ft. Donelson and Shiloh. On the 
way to Vicksburg the regiment was captured in 
the battle of Holly Springs, was paroled and sent 
to Columbus, Ohio, where later our subject was 
taken sick, and September 14, 1863, was discharged 
on account of phj'sical disability. He returned to 
his Ohio home, and in the spring of 1864 he and 
his brother Ed cameto Grinnell, Iowa, with a lot of 
sheep, but Ed did not like the country and went to 
Illinois, while our subject remained, settling on a 
section of land bought by his father in 1854, situ- 
ated six miles northeast of Grinnell, bringing out 
the family and proceeding to improve two hundred 
and forty acres of the tract, his brothers Will and 
Theodore coming out presently to assist him. He 
continued upon the farm until 1876, when he was 
elected Clerk of tiie District and Circuit Courts. 
He removed to Montezuma in January, 1877, was 
re-elected in 1878 and served until .January, 1881. 

Mr. Burton then settled at Grinnell and engaged 
in the drug and medicine, stationery and book 
business with J. G. Johnson, under the firm name 
of Johnson ife Burton. He sold out in the year 
1886 on account of his health and went to 



352 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



South Dakota, where he bought a faun of three 
hundred and twenty acres, improved it and 
raised grain for four years, after which he rented 
it two years, and in 1892 sold it. Returning 
to Grinnell in the year 1890, he bought the place 
at which he now lives and has remained here ever 
since. He still owns the old home of one hundred 
and eight acres in Grinnell Township, two miles 
east. The residence at the corner of Elm and Sixth 
Avenue is an elegant building, having all modern 
improvements and a fine conservatory. An orig- 
inal stockholder of the Savings Bank, he is its 
Vice-president. 

Our subject was married at Madison, Lake 
County, Ohio, February 8, 1868, to Miss Ruby, 
daughter of Dr. Andrus Merriman, a practicing 
physician of that place. They are the parents of 
four children, viz: Frank, Arthur, Kate and Grace, 
all at home. Mr. Burton is a charter member of 
Gordon Granger Post, G. A. R. He is an active Re- 
publican and has been a member of the County 
Central Committee of that party. 



WILLIAM EDDY, an extensive general agri- 
culturist and successful stock-raiser of Ox- 
ford Township, Johnson County, has a 
fine homestead of three hundred acres upon sec- 
tion 19, where he resides, and also owns a farm of 
one hundred and five .acres in Marengo Township, 
Iowa Count}', and is the possessor of a valuable 
tract of two hundred and forty acres in Jasper 
Countv, Neb. Some of the finest stock of the State 
are bred upon the home farm, our subject making 
a specialty of standard-bred horses, but also giv- 
ing his attention to the different varieties of fine 
graded stock. There are at present housed upon 
the homestead twenty-one head of horses, two of 
which are standard-bred, fift}- head of graded cat- 
tle, one hundred sheep of a choice variety, and 
fifty-five hogs of a superior breed. Beginning life 
with limited means, but possessing a valuable cap- 
ital of self-reliance and jiersevering industry, Mr. 



Eddy has attained financial prosperity, and has also 
occupied with honor various local offices of the 
township, and, a man of genuine worth and ster- 
ling integrity, enjoys the esteem and confidence of 
a wide circle of friends. 

Our subject was born in Lake County, Ohio, 
July 2, 1836. His father, Benjamin Edd}', a n.a- 
tive of Vermont, was born in the Green JNIoun- 
tains, but removed to Lake County, Ohio, when a 
boy. The paternal grandfather, also a native of 
Vermont, served with gallantry in the AVar of the 
Revolution, and was a brave and patriotic man. 
The mother of our subject, Irene (Jewell) Eddy, 
was born in the Empire State, and was reared 
partly in New York and partly in Vermont. The 
maternal grandfather was also born in New York. 
Soon after his marriage, Benjamin Edd}' removed 
to Ohio and located upon a farm, but later, in 
the year 1852, made his home in Princeton, 111. 
From Illinois the family journe3-ed to Johnson 
County, Iowa, and located upon a homestead, then 
in the woods, where our subject now resides. Here 
upon the farm which he had cultivated from the 
unbroken prairie the father passed away in his 
fifty-eighth year. The good mother died at sixty- 
eight 3'ears of age. The home of the parents had 
been blessed by the birth of six children, but Mrs. 
Benjamin Eddy was the mother of two children by 
her first marriage, with George Richards: Orvilla, 
who is the wife of Henry Cook, of Princeton, III.; 
and Orpha, deceased. XJur subject was the eld- 
est child of the second marriage; Allen lives in 
Adams County, III.; Mary is deceased; Ilattie is the 
widow of John Wagner, of AVilton, Iowa; and 
John and Anna passed away in Ohio. 

Mr. Eddy was about seventeen years old when he 
came to Johnson County. He had received the ad- 
vantage of instruction in his birthplace, and after 
his arrival in his new home, entered actively upon 
the earnest work of life, and followed staging, 
driving between Marengo and Iowa City. In 
1855 he profitably teamed between Rock Island, 
Marshalltown and Muscatine, continuing in this 
line of business for one and a-half years. He also 
took care of the stock on the stage line between 
Marengo and Iowa City. Until the war broke out, 
Mr. Eddy variously engaged in breaking and 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



353 



teaming, but at the first call of the Government 
he enlisted, August 2, 1861, joining Company' G, 
Eighth Iowa Infantry, as a private, and was hon- 
orably discharged at tlie expiration of his term of 
service, in September, 1863. He aetivel}' partici- 
pated in many decisive battles of the campaign, 
and engaged in the raids in pursuit of Price. He 
was wounded at Vicksburg with apiece of shell in 
the right side, and was removed to the rear, and 
afterward taken to the general hospital. Mr. Eddy 
shared tlie perils of Shiloh and Corinth, was pres- 
ent at the fights of luka, Jackson (Tenn.) and 
Grand Gulf, and, constantly at the front and in 
daily peril, escaped the prison pen, and after dan- 
ger and privations heroically borne, was once 
more a civilian. He returned to .Johnson Count}' 
a mere shadow of the strong man who, when he 
went into the struggle of the battlefield, weighed 
one iuindred and fifty-five pounds, and when he 
came back could scarcely tip the beam at ninety 
pounds. 

June 27, 1868, William Eddy and Miss Emiline 
Brant were united in marriage. Mrs. Eddy was 
tlie daughter of Samuel and Harriet Brant, and 
was a native of Bedford County, Pa. Imme- 
diately following his marriage, our subject and his 
estimable wife made their home upon the old farm, 
where the nine children, two daughters and seven 
sons, have gathered about the lamilj- hearth: Allen 
J., Rosetta, Benjamin F., Orville, William (de- 
ceased), Clayton, Myrtle, Herbert and Walter 
Blaine. Mr. Eddy is a stanch Republican, and is 
deeply interested in local and national issues. As 
a School Director he has aided in educational ad- 
vancement, and fraternally is an honored member 
of the G. A. Rumley Post, G. A. R. 

Financially prospered, our subject now owns 
about six hundred and forty-five acres of fine 
land. His acreage in Nebraska is adjacent to El- 
wood, the county seat, and promises to increase 
rapidly in value. Mrs. Eddy is a devoted member 
of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and with lier 
husband is foremost in the promotion of good 
work. The bright family growing up about the 
parents give promise of noble manhood and 
womanhood, and will all undoubtedly in the near 
future occupy positions of usefulness and honor. 



Amply able to provide for these dear ones an ex- 
cellent education and sufficient of this world's 
goods to give all a good start in life, our subject 
may also leave another and far more valuable be- 
quest to his children, who in the years to come 
will esteem as priceless the record of their father's 
life, which, free from shadow of dishonor, has been 
illuminated with the heroic and faithful patriotism 
of a true American citizen. 






'\f| OIIN J. MILLER. Among the enterprising 

d' I young farmers of Johnson County our sub- 
' ject takes rank with the best. He was born 
_! ' in Cedar Township, on the 19th of October, 
1849, and was reared and early inured to the hard- 
ships of life in the far West. A log cabin fourteen 
feet square was his birthplace, and when he arrived 
at the proper years he attended a rude log school- 
house, which was situated quite a distance from 
his home. He has two brothers and one sister, 
who are all still living and are respected citizens 
of the community in which they make their home. 
Our subject remained witli his parents, helping 
his father in clearing and improving his new farm, 
until he was past his majority. In the fall of 1874 
he commenced farming for himself, buying a tr.ict 
of one hundred and two acres on section 26, Big 
Grove Township, since which time he has con- 
stantly devoted his best strength and most intelli- 
gent efforts to make it one of the model farms of 
the township. He now possesses one hundred 
and twenty-seven acres, where he carries on gen- 
eral farming and stock-raising, feeding a large num- 
ber of cattle during the winter. Starting with a 
very limited capital, he has steadily progressed till 
he is now in possession of a good competency and 
a comfortable home. 

The parents of our subject were Philip and 
Sarah (Gayman) Miller, both of the Keystone 
State. They emigrated to Iowa in 1845. making 
a settlement in Cedar Township, where the fatiier 
entered eight}' acres of land, which he thougiit 



354 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



would be all he would ever need to supply his 
family's wants. However, he afterward purchased 
additional land, and has been for many years a 
successful farmer. On his first coming to Johnson 
County it was almost a wilderness, deer and other 
wild game being very plentiful. Mr. Miller is still 
living and in the enjoyment of fair health, though 
he has reached a ripe old age. His name is justly 
mentioned among the records of the honored pio- 
neers who have accomplished so much toward 
making the wilderness "blossom as the rose." 

On the last day of December, 1877, John J. Mil- 
ler and Miss Martha Eason were united in mar- 
riage. Mrs. Miller was born in Wayne County, 
Ohio, and is a daughter of Alexander and Mary 
Eason, who were natives of Pennsylvania and the 
Buckeye State, respectively. They emigrated to 
Johnson County, Iowa, with a wagon in the early 
daj's of its history. Both parents, who are long 
since deceased, were held in the greatest respect by 
their fellow-citizens, and their family was among 
the leading and influential ones of the county. 
Mrs. Miller was well educated in her native State 
and with her husband holds an enviable position 
in the best social circles of the township. Our sub- 
ject deposits his ballot in favor of the Republican 
nominees and principles, and is activel3' interested 
in all measures whose object is the betterment of 
mankind and the progress of civilization. 



c:r 



O. WILLARD, the successful fruit-grower 
and extensive nurseryman, located upon a 
beautiful farm of one hundred and fifteen 
acres about half a mile from the corporate limits 
of Grinnell, Poweshiek County, Iowa, has for 
about a quarter of a century been closely iden- 
tified with the business interests and public 
welfare of his present home. Born in Henry 
Count3-, 111., he was the second child of the family 
of sons and daugliters who gathered about the 
fireside of John F. Willard, a prominent pioneer 



settler of Henry County, 111., who removed there 
in 1836, and in about the year 1852 engaged in 
the nursery business. The Willards date their 
ancestry back to the Colonial settlement of New 
England, three brothers Willard having emigrated 
from England in a ver3' earl}' day, and, locating in 
the United States, made their homes in Connecti- 
cut and Massachusetts. In religious belief the 
Willards are almost universally of the Congrega- 
tional faith. I n Henry County, 111., our subject re- 
ceived a good common-school education, and there 
attained to manhood, having been thoroughly' 
trained into a knowledge of the work and require- 
ments of his present business in the well-known 
nursery conducted by his father. 

When the Civil AVar broke out, Mr. AVillard 
enlisted in Compan}' F, One Hundred and 
Twenty-fourth Illinois Infantry, and in the year 
1862, entering the service of the Government, 
was directly under Gen. Grant until after the 
siege of Vicksburg, and remained in the army 
until the close of the war. Our subject was pres- 
ent at the decisive engagements of Champion Hill 
and Vicksburg, and bravely participated in the 
numerous and hotly-contested battles of the long 
campaign, being honorably mustered out of the 
service in Chicago, in September, 1865. While in 
Alabama he was out foraging and was taken pris- 
oner and was held two days by the guerrillas, who 
captured him. Escaping from the manj' perils 
which surrounded him, Mr. Willard returned to 
h'is former home unwounded and again resumed 
the business of life. January 1, 1867, our subject 
was united in marriage with Miss Emma E. Shaw, 
of New York, and the succeeding year, 1868, re- 
moved with his wife to Poweshiek County, immed- 
iately engaging in fruit-growing and the nurserj' 
business, in which occupation he has profitably re- 
mained. Mr. and Mrs. Willard have been blessed 
with a family of promising sons and daughters, 
five of whom yet survive. 

Frank E., the eldest-born, now occupies the re- 
sponsible position of Superintendent of the pub- 
lic schools of Spencer, Iowa. He graduated from 
the Iowa College, at Grinnell, in the Class of '89. 
W^illiam A., the second son, is attending college; 
Harry G. is also attending college; and Rutli and 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



355 



Faith are at home with their parents. The father, 
motlier and the elder chihiren are members of the 
Congregational Church, and arc active in social 
and benevolent enterprises. A life-long Republi- 
can, Mr. Willard has from his earliest manhood 
given a faithful observance to the duties of true 
American citizenship, and, ever generous in the 
promotion of progressive interests, is rightl^y num- 
bered among the influential and public-spirited 
residents of Poweshiek County. 



\ll^ ON. A. J. MORRISON. The city of Ma- 
Jljll rengo, Iowa, is to be congratulated upon 
/^^^ the high standard of enterprise and abilit}' 
(^) displa^'cd by its leading insurance agents, 
prominent among whom is A. J. Morrison, who is 
acknowledged to be one of the most reliable au- 
thorities on all matters pertaining to insurance, 
and stands in the very foremost rank. He is a 
member of the firm of Stover & Morrison, and in 
addition to insurance they are quite extensively 
engaged in the real-estate business. He was born 
in Columbiana County, Ohio, on the 31st of July, 
1831, his father, John Morrison, having been 
born in Lancaster County, Pa., and the grand- 
father, Andrew Morrison, was also born there. 
The parents of Andrew came from Bonnie Scot- 
land and took up their residence in Penns^ivania, 
where they tilled the soil, and were earnest mem- 
bers of the Presbyterian Church. 

John Morrison was married, in Pennsylvania, to 
Miss Mary Manifold, a native of York County, of 
that State, and soon after removed to Ohio, resid- 
ing first in Columbiana and afterward in Morgan 
County. He followed farming in both counties, 
and in the latter held the position of County Su- 
pervisor and Justice of the Peace. He came by 
team to Iowa in 1855, and located near Millers- 
burg, where he purchased and improved a tract of 
land and resided on tiie same until his death, in 
October, 1888, at the age of eighty-three years. 



He was a member in good standing of the Presby- 
terian Church, and, politically, was a Democrat. 
He was a member of the Board of Supervisors here 
for some years. The maternal grandfather, Benja- 
min Manifold, was of Scotch-Irish descent, a farmer 
by occupation, and died on his farm in Pennsyl- 
vania. His daughter, Mrs. Morrison, died at the 
home of a brother in North Elnglish, in 1891, at 
the age of eighty-three j'ears. She bore her hus- 
band three children, two sons and one daughter, 
two of whom are living, A. J., and George W., 
who is a merchant of North English, Iowa. 

A. J. Morrison was reared on a farm in Morgan 
County, Ohio, and for about three months out of 
the year, during the winter season, he pursued his 
studies in the old-time log schoolhouse of that 
period, but afterward finished his education in a 
select school in Sharon. At the early age of sev- 
enteen years he began teaching school, continuing 
at this occupation for three winters and one sum- 
mer, during which time he won the reputation of 
being a thorough, practical and successful educa- 
tor. In 1852 he removed to Beverly, AVashington 
County, Ohio, where he was engaged in the drug 
business for about one year, and made that place 
his home until 1856, when he came to Iowa and 
established himself in the drug business in Millers- 
burg, which was the first and only one in the place 
until the fall of 1858. He was then elected Clerk 
of the District Courts, on the Democratic ticket, en- 
tering on the duties of the office January 1, 1859, 
and serving by re-election until January 1, 1864, 
a portion of the time also doing duty as County 
Auditor. 

After completing his term of office Mr. Morri- 
son gave his attention to the hotel business for 
about three years, and in company with a Mr. I'ao-c 
fitted up the Clifton House, but at the end of the 
three j^ears he was appointed Deputy Auditor un- 
der S. Sherman, which position he held for two 
years. In 1870 he was elected County Auditor, 
filling the position from January 1, 1871, to Jan- 
uary 1, 1873. At the end of that time he began 
speculating in land as a member of the firm of 
Stover <fe Morrison, but has also devoted a great 
deal of time to the insurance business, and repre- 
sents ten of the veiy best companies. In 1890 he 



356 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



became special agent for a fire insurance company 
of Philadelphia, and for about three weeks out of 
every month he is on the road. He has a pretty 
and comfortable residence on Court Avenue, in 
Marengo, over which his amiable and intelligent 
wife presides in a graceful and hospitable way. 
He was married in Beverly, Ohio, in 1855, to Miss 
Temperance W. Jackson, a daughter of John Jack- 
son, who was an extensive dealer in horses, and 
was also well known as a successful hotel man. 

Socially, Mr. Morrison is a member of the Ma- 
rengo Lodge, A. F. & A. M., a Royal Arch Mason 
and is a Knight Templar in Iowa City Command- 
ery. He has been a member of Beverly Lodge 
No. 84, L O. O. F., since 1853, in which he was 
Worthy Grand. He is a charter member of Hebron 
Lodge No. 148, h.as been Past Chancellor several 
times, was Grand Master of Iowa in 1878, and 
has been and is Treasurer of the Grand Lodge of 
Iowa. Politically, he has alwa3's given his sup- 
port to the Democratic party, has been one of the 
County Commissioners for several terms, and was 
Alternate to the Democratic National Convention 
at Chicago in 1884. Mr. Morrison is an experi- 
enced business m.an, is an accurate appraiser, and 
his customers place the greatest confidence in him. 



V 



i-^* A 



R. S. A. CRAVATII, our subject, is a 
highly respected citizen and an experi- 
enced and successful journalist of Grin- 
nell, Poweshiek County, Iowa. He is 
senior Editor of the Grinnell Herald, Postmaster, 
a Trustee of Iowa College, and Vice-president of 
the First National Bank. Dr. Cravath was born 
in Crawford Count}', Pa., September 26, 1836, the 
son of James Cravath, a native of New York State, 
and the grandson of Ezekiel Cravath, a native of 
Connecticut. The last-named, who was a farmer, 
removed to New York and married a Miss Bingham, 
whose father was a Colonel in the Revolutionary 
War. The latter located in New York and en- 



joyed the distinction of having the city of Bing- 
hamton named for him. The Cravath family pro- 
bably originated in Central Europe, the earlier 
members being exiled for their anti-Catholic faith, 
first settling in France and then coming to Amer- 
ica. The father of our subject was a farmer in 
Pennsylvania, where he died at an e.arly age, when 
the son was but two years old. 

The mother of our subject was Emily (Davis) Cra- 
vath, who was born in Connecticut, the daughter 
of Joel Davis, a native of Connecticut. She died 
when Dr. Cravath was only eight years of age and 
of her three children, he, the youngest, is the only 
survivor. Orphaned thus early, he was reared at 
the home of his grandfather, at Gainesville, Wy- 
oming County, N. Y. Here he grew up upon the 
farm, receiving common-school instruction until 
1852, when he entered Oberlin College, from which 
he graduated in 1858. He then became Principal 
of the Madison Seminary, Lake County, Ohio, 
holding the position three years, when he became 
Superintendent of Public Schools of Marion, Ohio, 
at the same time pursuing the study of medicine. 
Entering the Starling Medical College at Columbus, 
Ohio, he completed a course of lectures, and then 
became a student in Cincinnati Medical College, 
from which he graduated in 1864. He began 
the practice of medicine in the city of Spring- 
field, Ohio, where he resided three years. Then 
he moved to Mitchell County, Iowa, where he 
practiced medicine about six years, and was 
publisher and editor of the Mitchell County News 
for two years, until 1872, when he sold out and 
came to Grinnell and purchased an interest in the 
Hei-ald, since which time he has devoted himself 
exclusively to journalism. Under his manage- 
ment the paper has prospered greatly, a fact due 
to good business mangement and to dignified and 
fair treatment of everybody, as well as to the enter- 
prise displayed in securing reliable and fresh news. 
The Herald is an eight-column folio, semi-weekl}-. 
Republican in politics and the official organ of the 
county. The Herald Company also publishes the 
Congregational Iowa, a monthl}', and the Unit, a 
weekly college paper. Dr. Cravath was married 
at Philadelphia, July 11, 1860, to Miss Mary Raley, 
by whom he has had three children, viz.: a daugh- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



359 



ter, who died in infancy; Rose M. and James R. 
Ex-Superintendent of Schools, W. G. Ray, a grad- 
uate of Iowa College, bought an interest in the 
Herald, since which time the firm name has been 
Cravath & Ray. Dr. Cravath was commissioned 
Postmaster at Grinnell in June, 1890, a position 
he has filled with the same scrupulous care that he 
exercises in the discharge of his personal affairs. 



i>^^<^ 



W;IL 



jf/ILLIAM WOLFE, the subject of thissketch, 
jrain and stock-shipper and farmer 
of TifHn, Clear Creek Township, Johnson 
County, is an old settler of this section and widely 
and favorably known for his skill in farming and 
for his square dealing in business. He was born in 
Knox County, Ohio, March 18, 1827, the son of 
Christopher Wolfe, a native of New Jersej', born 
July 11, 1791, and who died in 1888, in the ninety- 
seventh year of his age. The father was reared in 
his native State, following the occupation of a 
farmer, was married there, and then removed to 
Knox County, where he located upon a farm. He 
was a Democrat and served as County Commis- 
sioner and Justice of the Peace. His ancestors 
were German and the finer characteristics of that 
race were indicated in his active nature. 

The mother of our subject lived to be seventy- 
three years of age and was the mother of eight chil- 
dren, six sons and two daughters, all of whom grew 
to maturity, all married and all are living but two. 
They were as follows: John, Mary Ann, George, 
Lewis R., William, Thomas J. (deceased), Eliza, 
and Samuel C. (deceased). Our subject, the fifth 
child and fourth son, grew to manhood in his na- 
tive place, and received a common-school educa- 
tion, making his home with his parents until he was 
of age, when he started out for himself, working 
on a farm bj' the month for three years. He was 
married in Knox County, Ohio, September 8, 1850, 
to Hannah Colony, a native of Knox County, the 
only daughter of John and Lucy Colony. Our 
subject located after his marriage upon a little 



farm in Knox County given to him by his father, 
but sold it two years later, in 1853, and came di- 
rect to Johnson County, locating upon the farm 
where he now lives October 16, of that year. 

This farm, located on section 27, had very few 
improvements, and he set promptly at work put- 
ting up fences, building barn, outhouses, etc., 
giving himself no rest until he had put the prop- 
erty in first-class shape. His first purchase was 
two hundred and three acres, to which he added 
from time to time, until he now has six hundred 
and eighty acres, all under cultivation. Not many 
years after coming to Johnson County he began 
to buy and ship stock and grain, his place of busi- 
ness being at Tiffin, and he makes shipment to 
Eastern points. Mr. and Mrs. Wolfe are the parents 
of six children, two daughters and four sons, 
namely: Alice E., John C, Milton L., Mary Au- 
gusta, William B. and Charles. Mr. Wolfe is a 
Democrat and held the position of Supervisor at 
the organization of the county; he served one year 
and was re-elected for two years; since that time 
the organization has been changed and he was 
elected two terms of three years each, making a 
total of nine years. He was also Trustee of the 
township, and School Director and Treasurer. 






^,'OHN S. BEELER, one of the shrewdest 
business men and wealthiest citizens of 
Washington Township, Poweshiek County, 
is one of the largest farmers and stock- 
raisers of the district. He is a native son of Iowa, 
born in Linn County, September 13, 1845, and a 
son of Fred Beeler, a native of Virginia, whose 
birth occurred February 28, 1811. In Colonial 
da^'s three brothers of the family emigrated from 
Germany and made a settlement in Pennsylvania, 
from which State their descendants scattered to 
various parts of the Union. Our subject's pa- 
ternal grandfather was born and reared to man- 
hood in Virginia, where h» had an extensive 



360 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



plantation. In 1823 lie removed to a place near 
Indianapolis, Ind., making the journey with teams. 
The reason for his deserting his native State was 
partly on account of being so frequently' molested 
by the Indians. He developed a good farm and 
was a successful business man. During the War of 
1812, he was in active service and rose to the rank 
of an officer. He was a Democrat and a member 
of the Baptist Church, in the faith of which he 
died at a ripe old age. 

In 1834 our subject's father removed to Iowa 
and settled in Muscatine County, working for two 
years on the river. He then settled in Linn 
County on Government land, helped to organize 
the county, and assisted in building the first house, 
which was made of logs, in Cedar Rapids. He was 
among the first settlers, and for many years his 
nearest white neighbor lived a distance of six miles 
from his home. Indians were very numerous and 
kept the families of the pioneers in a state of terror 
for fear of treachery and a general uprising among 
them. Mr. Beeler owned twelve hundred acres at 
one time, but afterward disposed of a considerable 
portion. He is still living on the same farm on 
which he originally located in Linn County. 

Our subject's mother, who before her marriage 
was Nancy Dollarhide, was born in Indiana in 
1821, and of her sixteen children who grew to 
mature years fourteen are now living, namel}': 
Sarah, Eliza, Melissa, Fred, John, Mary, Lewis, 
Ellen, Nancy, Jones, George, Emma, Alice, Dou- 
glas, Charles and AVilliam, eight sons and eight 
daughters. Both parents are members of the Meth- 
odist Church and are passing their declining 
years in peace and in the enjo3'ment of an abund- 
ant competency. 

On the old homestead which was his birthplace 
John S. Beeler was reared to manhood. He at- 
tended the typical pioneer log schoolhouse of those 
early days, which was run on the subscription i)lan. 
On reaching his majority he oame to this township, 
where he engaged in fanning. On January 22, 
1871, he married Ellen Beeler. They have ten 
children, all of whom are living: Ira, Ora, George, 
May, Nancy, Mary, Cleveland, Clark, Janie and 
Clara. 

On the farm where our subject settled no im- 



provements had been made, but he has steadily 
year by year brought his land under cultivation 
and increased the boundaries of his farm, which 
now comprises seven hundred and eighty-nine 
acres. He did not have money enough to paj' for 
a night's lodging when he came here in 1866, and 
since then lias worked his way steadily upward to 
the high position he holds in the community. He 
feeds and raises numbers of cattle, hogs and horses, 
particularly Normans and Clydesdales. He is a 
member of the Friends' Church and in politics is 
a Democrat. He has served his township as Trus- 
tee for four terms, and for a number of years has 
been Treasurer of the School Board. He is a good 
business man and has been very wise in his invest- 
ments. For a great many years he has annually 
sold and shipi)ed several carloads of cattle. 



=^^+^1 



HILO COLONY. One must travel far to 
find a settlement of people surrounded 
with evidences of thrift excelling those 
of Johnson County, and those of Clear 
Creek Township are in no sense behind the inhab- 
itants of other portions of the county. Our sub- 
ject keeps fully apace with his neighbors in indus- 
try and has a farm and improvements that will 
yield to none in appearance and actual comfort 
and productiveness. His life is not without in- 
terest, in that it shows that honest and upright 
living brings sure reward. He was born in Knox 
County, Ohio, on the 4th of May, 1829, being 
the son of John Colony, a native of Ohio, who 
died when Philo was but seven years old, after 
following the occupation of a farmer for a number 
of years. The mother of our subject, tucy (Ilig- 
gins) Colony, a native of Vermont died in John- 
son County, Iowa, at the age of seventj'-six. She 
was the mother of four children, one daughter 
and three sons, all living, married and residents 
of Clear Creek Township, Johnson County, Iowa. 
Our subject is the eldest child; he w.as reared in 
his native place, where he received a common-school 



m 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



361 



education, remaining upon the farm and assisting 
in farm work. He was married December 12, 
1852, to Hannah Dennej', a native of Greene 
County, Pa., born August 7, 182S), her father, 
William Denney, being a native of Pennsylvania, 
of English descent, as also was his wife, Rebecca 
(Litzenburg) Denney, who was of German de- 
scent. Mrs. Colony is the fourth child of ten chil- 
dren and remained at home until she was sixteen, 
when she had the misfortune to lose both her par- 
ents. After marriage our subject located upon a 
farm in Liberty Township, Knox County, Ohio, 
where he remained until 1854, when he came to 
Johnson County, Iowa, settling upon a farm in 
Clear Creek Township that had very few improve- 
ments, among which was a little log cabin, 14x12, 
into which he moved October 17, later adding a 
little frame shanty to it, this further on giving 
way to a handsome frame structure, two stories 
high, which now stands upon the place. Mr. and 
Mrs. Colon}' are the parents of three children, viz: 
Luc}- Alma, wife of Mahlon Drake, living with 
our subject; Josephine L., wife of George Alt, of 
Clear Creek; and Mar}', wife of Ebenezer F. Ham- 
ilton, of Oxford Township, Johnson County. 

Mr. Colony began in Johnson County, on sec- 
tion 27, his present home, with eighty acres, for 
which he paid $1,000, and has added to it from 
time to time, until he now owns four hundred and 
sixty-five acres, all of which he has improved him- 
self, and where he carries on a business of general 
farming and stock-raising. Our subject is a Dem- 
ocrat and has held a number of offices, being now 
a School Director. Mr. and Mrs. Colony are 
members of the Christian Church, in which he has 
held the office of Deacon and is now a Trustee. 



I p @ ii I 



\IjU~^^ON. J. P. LYMAN, A. B., A. M., LL. B., 
lljll the distinguished subject of this sketch, 
■^)^ enjoys a personal popularity that is co-ex- 
(^) tensive with the county of Poweshiek, the 
citizens of which have chosen him for the impor- 
tant position of Prosecuting Attorney. Previously 



he had served as Mayor of Grinnell, and the abil- 
ity and fairness he then displayed were urged as 
cogent reason for naming him for the important 
otJice he now fills with such efficiency. One of the 
oldest and most prominent firms in the city is that 
of Haynes & Lyman, whose legal practice extends 
overall the counties of the Congressional District. 
Mr. Lyman is a law^'er of keen perception and 
astute knowledge and a public prosecutor of ener- 
getic mould, whom evil-doers hold in decided fear. 

Our subject was born at Arcade, Wyoming 
County, N. Y., February 14, 1844, being the son of 
R. W. Lyman, a merchant, who was the son of the 
Rev. William Lyman, a Congregational minister, 
and both were natives of Connecticut. The greater 
part of the pastoral work of the grandfather was 
done in his native State, although he was an early 
settler of Wyoming County. The father, R. W. 
Lyman, was quite a young man when he settled 
at Arcade, where he became a prominent merchant, 
continuing in that business until his retirement 
from active work. Strong in his convictions, he 
had never anj' compromise to make with what he 
esteemed to be wrong. In politics he followed in 
the footsteps of Gerritt Smith, whom he knew 
personally and admired greatly for his fearless 
exposure of what he deemed evil. Originally a 
Congregationalist, his views modified, he now be- 
ing an active worker in the Christian Union Church. 

The mother of our subject, Harriet N. (Tracy) 
Lyman, was the granddaughter of Royal Tracy, a 
farmer living at Arcade. This most worthy woman 
died at Arcadc,where she had spent most of her days, 
leaving three sons, our subject being the youngest. 
His father married again and one child has been 
the result of that union. The childhood and 
j'outh of our subject were spent at Arcade or in 
the vicinit}' upon the farm of an uncle, during 
which time his schooling was had from district 
teachers until he was fourteen, when, during the 
next two years, he attended select schools. Ac- 
companied by his brother Robert R. he came 
West in September, 1860, coming by team to Buf- 
falo, by steamer to Cleveland and by team to 
Grinnell, then a mere hamlet started six years be- 
fore. 

Mr. Lyman's purpose was to settle permanently 



362 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



upon a farm near Grinnell owned by his uncle and 
he assisted his brotlier in the fall work, but as soon 
as that was completed he entered Iowa College, 
wliich had just been removed from Davenport to 
Grinnell, and pursued the classical course there 
until 1864, when he enlisted in the Forty-sixth 
Iowa Infantry, a hundred-day regiment. He was 
a Corporal in Company B, his service beginning 
in June and terminating in October, the regiment 
being stationed at Collierville, guarding the Mem- 
phis & Charleston Railroad. Returning home, he 
resumed his college life, being graduated in 1867 
with the degree of A. B. and receiving later the 
degree of A. M. The vacations of the college were 
during the winter months, and at such times he 
taught school at various points in Poweshiek 
County. After his graduation he was a teacher 
for two years in the schools of Davenport, Iowa; 
then he returned here and became a tutor in the 
Iowa College for one year, at the end of which 
time he entered the department of law of the 
University of Iowa, from which he was graduated 
in 1871 with the degree of LL. B. 

Immediately after he was graduated he formed 
a law partnership with Mr. Ilaynes, which has con- 
tinued since, it being the oldest legal firm in the 
county. He is a Director in the Savings Bank 
and in the First National Bank, and was one of the 
incorporators as well as Vice-President of the 
former, and for a time was President of the latter. 
Mr. Lyman was married at Grinnell, in 1872, to 
Lizzie H. Little, born at Kewanee, 111., a daugh- 
ter of Henry G. Little, a real-estate dealer, who 
came to Grinnell in 1867, and has been Mayor of 
this city two terms, four continuous years from 
1868, and during his incumbency laid out and 
beautified Hazelwood Cemeterj'. Mr. Little was 
born at Hollis, N. H., removed to Kewanee, 111., 
and while there was elected to the Legislature 
from Henry County, and later was made Sheriff. 

Mrs. Lyman is a graduate of Iowa College and 
a lady of superior attainments, greatly admired in 
Grinnell social circles. She is the mother of one 
child, Henry G., and she and Mr. Lyman have 
reared a child of his brother, Miss Myrta A., a 
graduate of Iowa College of the Class of '92. 
Mr. Lyman rendered valuable assistance in the 



work of incorporation of Grinnell into a city. He 
has served four or more terms as member of the 
Citj' Council, was Mayor of Grinnell, served as 
City Attorney one term, and in 1890 was elected 
County Attorney of Poweshiek on the Republican 
ticket, and was re-elected in 1892 on the same 
ticket. His association with the Republican party 
began in his boyhood, in 1856, when he was an 
enthusiastic member of "Fremont's camp." He has 
been a member and Chairman of the Republican 
County Central Committee and was an alternate 
to the Republican National Convention which 
met at Chicago in 1884. Mr. Lyman is an ardent 
member of Gordon Granger Post, G. A. R., and in 
January, 1893, became Commander of the i)0st. 
He is an active and most useful member of the 
Congregational Church, and a Trustee of that so- 
ciety in Grinnell. 



^^EORGE R. WILLIAMS, a representative 
III !_—, general agriculturist and extensive stock- 
5^jJll raiser, owning two hundred and forty acres 
of excellent land finel}' improved and located 
upon section 15, Cedar Township, Johnson Coun- 
ty, is an influential citizen of sterling integ- 
rity of character, and for a full score of 3'ears has 
constantly resided upon his present homestead 
and is favorably known among the entire commu- 
nities of his township and vicinity. A native of 
Chester County, Pa., our subject was born January 
17, 1836, and is the son of George Williams, also 
born in the Quaker State. The paternal grand- 
father, George Williams, was likewise a native of 
Pennsylvania, but his father, Lewis, came from 
Wales in an early day and settled not far from 
the "City of Brotherly Love" upon a farm, where 
he pursued the peacefuT avocation of a tiller of 
the soil. The paternal grandfather was also an 
agriculturist, and after a life of busy toil passe<l 
awaj- at a good old age. The father of our sub- 
ject had learned the trade of a blacksmith in 
Philadelphia, and began the active practice at the 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



363 



anvil in West Whiteland Township, Chester Coun- 
ty. He later labored in the iron furnaces, rloing 
smitli work, and at a more advanced period of liis 
life engaged in farming, sometimes combining 
both occupations, as often happened in the pioneer 
days of the West. 

Father Williams came to Johnson Count}' 
in 1855, and purchased eighty acres of land one 
mile south of Solon, which he later sold, and 
linally made his home in Cedar Township, where 
he died, January 11, 1884, in his eightieth year. 
He had been a long-time member of the Methodist 
Episcopal church and was a man of high princi- 
ples and correct life. His wife, Mary (McMinn) 
Williams, was a native of Chester County, Pa., 
and was born in the town of Easton February 9, 
1808. Her father, a native-born American citizen, 
was of Scotch descent, and by occupation a farmer. 
Her paternal grandfather, emigrating from Bonnie 
Scotland, took an active part in the Revolutionary 
War and was a brave and faithful soldier and pa- 
triot. The father died in his fifty-fourth year, 
but the mother survived to reach her eighty-sixth 
birthday. Mother Williams is the only one of 
seven children now living. She became the wife of 
George Williams in 1829, and they lived together 
fifty-five years. Father Williams was a man of 
uncommonly strong constitution, while his wife, 
who survives and makes her home with our sub- 
ject, was of delicate appearance and far from well 
for many years. She was the mother of four chil- 
dren, of whom two are living, but one died in 
infancy, and a daughter, arriving at mature age, 
married Samuel Edwards and died some years ago. 
Our subject is the eldest of the family; the 
younger brother, Enoch, was for many j'ears a well- 
known farmer of Cedar Township, but later re- 
moved to Mt. Vernon, Iowa. He served with dis- 
tinction in the Civil War, remaining three years 
in the service. George R. Williams was reared 
upon a farm, and assisted his father in the daily 
cares as soon as he was old enough to do the nu- 
merous chores. During the winter months, and 
when he could be spared, he attended the little 
log school ho use of the district, and well improved 
his limited time. When twenty years of age he 
was apprenticed to a millwright and learned the 



trade, afterward working in various places, but 
making his home principally in Midway, Pa. He 
received for the first year's work 17 per month, 
and the next year I>1 more each month, and the 
third year obtained the munificent sum of $9 per 
month. He farmed his father's place a year or so, 
and then removed to Solon, where he engaged in 
wagon and coach making for fifteen years. At 
the expiration of this time Mr. Williams purchased 
his present homestead upon section 5, Cedar 
Township, and has since made this locality his 
constant residence, prosperously engaging in the 
tilling of the soil and raising the best grades of 
stock. 

Our subject was married March 4, 1860, to Miss 
Susan F. Gobin, a native of Illinois. Twelve 
children, bright and promising, have clustered 
about the fireside, but four have passed away. 
George R., the eldest born, is deceased; Mary A., 
the first daughter, is also deceased; John survives; 
Burr is deceased; Enoch, Lewis, Herman, Harry, 
Susan, an infant deceased, Milly and George com- 
plete the list of sons and daughters who brought 
joy and sunshine into the home. Lewis is a teacher. 
The sisters and brothers have all received good 
common-school educations and are well fitted to 
worthily take part in the busy work of life. Mr. 
Williams is a Republican, but not an active poli- 
tician. He and his estimable wife are both raen;- 
bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and arc 
foremost in the promotion of the good work of 
that religious organization. Our subject and his 
family are prominent factors in social and benevo- 
lent enterprises of their home locality and enjoy 
the regard of a lara:e circle of old-time fiends. 



I* IfclLLIAM MEARDON, an extensive and 
\( /iJll P'"Osperous general agriculturist and a suc- 
W^ cessful stock-iaiser owning a fine farm of 
four hundred and forty acres, located upon sec- 
tions 23 and 2fi, Scott Township, Johnson County, 
Iowa, has been a resident of the State since 1859, 



364 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



and intimately associated with the growtli and 
progress of Johnson County for thirty-four years. 
Our suiiject was born in Devonshire, England, No- 
vember G, 1831, and was the son of William and 
lilizabetli (F"olland) Meardon, both nativesof Dev- 
onshire, where the3' were reared, educated and 
married, and having reared a family to useful- 
ness and intluence passed away within tlie borders 
of their early home. The paternal grandfather, 
Robert Meardon, was also a native Englishman, 
and a man of energy and ability. 

In 185() Mr. Meardon crossed the ocean to Up- 
per Canada, where he was engaged in various oc- 
cupations for three years. He had been well 
trained in agricultural pursuits in Merrie Eng- 
land, and farming has been the main avocation of 
his life. Upon June 29, 1856, our subject was 
united in marriage, in Upper Canada, with Miss 
Mary Hobbs, who was born in Devonshire, Eng- 
land, December 24, 183G, and was the daughter of 
John and Elizabeth (Hopper) Hobbs, botli natives 
of Devonshire, where the mother passed away. 
The maternal grandfather, Stephen Hopper, whose 
entire life was spent in Devonshire, was a most 
worthj' man of earnest purpose and upright ciiar- 
acter. The paternal grandfather, John Hobbs by 
name, was also from his birtii a constant resident 
of Devonshire, but his son, the father of Mrs. Mear- 
don, came to Canada in 1855, and the following 
year journeyed to the United States and located 
in Iowa City, and continued to live in Johnson 
County for several years, but finally settled in 
Cedar County, where he now resides. 

It was in tiie spring of 1859, that our subject 
and his wife arrived in Johnson County and made 
tlieir home in Iowa Cit}', where they remained for 
three years, then locating in Scott Township, 
which, with the exception of six years spent in 
Pleasant Valley Townsliip, has since been the per- 
manent abiding-place of the Meardon family. Af- 
ter leaving Iowa City Mr. Meardon devoted himself 
exclusivel}' and profitably to the vocation of farm- 
ing. Our subject and his estimable wife have been 
blessed by tlie birth of five children, two daugh- 
ters and three sous: Elizabeth, the eldest-born, is 
the wife of Henry Kniese; Fannie K. is married to 
George Bowen; Frederick M. married Miss Mary 



Ady; Albert E. and Charles S. are j'et unmarried. 
Mr. and Mrs. Meardon are valued members of the 
Presb3-terian Church, and are active in the good 
works of that religious body and ever read^' to 
extend a helping hand in belialf of social or be- 
nevolent enterprise. Their sons and daughters 
have enjoyed . the advantages of the excellent 
schools of the township, and, reared to habits of 
intelligent thrift and energetic industry, have 
steadily won their way upward, and commanding 
the esteem and confidence of a host of friends are 
occupying positions of usefulness and honor. To 
tiiese descendants, who will worthily transmit his 
name to posterity, our subject can bequeath as a 
rich inheritance the spotless record of an upright 
life. 






AVID M. LANG DON, of section 12, Big 
Grove Townshi}), is one of the successful 
and wealthy farmers of Johnson County. 
On both sides of the house he is descended 
from a long line of noted New England ancestors, 
who were originally from Wales. His great-grand- 
father, John Langdon, was a soldier in the War of 
the Revolution. His grandfather, Samuel, born 
February 6, 1772, in Connecticut, was a carpenter 
by trade, and died at a ripe old age. Luther 
Langdon, tiie father of our subject, who was one 
of seven children, was born June 1, 1807, in Litch- 
field County, Conn., and in his young days was 
employed in a foundry for smelting iron. About 
the year 1835 he emigrated to Trumbull County, 
Ohio, where he purchased laud and engaged in its 
cultivation. 

In the fall of 1854 he emigrated to Iowa with 
his family, making the journey by means of teams. 
He first located in Washington County, and in 
the following spring made a settlement in Johnson 
County, where he purchased one hundred and 
eight acres on section 12, Big Grove Township. 
Of this tract twenty-eight acres had been broken 
and fenced and on it was a log cabin. The sur- 
rounding country was little better than a wilder- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



365 



ness and wild game was ver}' plentiful. He was a 
leading man in tlie community and held a number 
of local offices in tlie township. Coming here 
witli but limited means, he was very successful and 
ranked high in the opinion of his fellow-citizens. 
He departed this life July 25, 1890, being then in 
his eighty-fourth year. 

The mother of our subject bore the maiden 
name of Sallie M. Leavenworth, her ancestors be- 
ing of New England stock, descendants of one 
Thomas Leavenworth, who was born in England 
and died in Connecticut in 1715. By her mar- 
riage she became the mother of six children, of 
whom the record is as follows: Caroline, wife of 
H. S. Sutliff, of Cedar Township, this county; 
Eliza E.; Hannah, who married George L. Griggs, 
of Cedar Township; Thomas E., who enlisted in 
1862 in the Twenty-fourth Iowa Regulars and 
was killed at the battle of Champion Hills; David 
M., our subject; and Ann, who married Perry S. 
Stream and resides in Greene County, Iowa. Mrs. 
Langdon, who was a member of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church, died May 7, 1881. 

AVhen he came to Iowa, David M. Langdon was 
onl3' ten years of age. He lived upon the old 
homestead with his father, and finally took entire 
charge of the farm, relieving him of all care and 
anxiety. His farm of one hundred and eighty- 
eight acres is loCated on section 12, and is well 
developed. He has in addition to this a small tract 
of timber-land. He has also a good farm house, 
barns and other necessary farm buildings, which arc 
kept in a thrifty manner, showing the atten- 
tion which are bestowed upon them by the owner. 
In addition to general farming he is largely en- 
gaged in raising all kinds ol live stock. He uses 
the best macliinery and progressive ideas in carry- 
ing on iiis farm, and is justly numbered among the 
leading agriculturists of this district. 

On the 29th of January, 1868, Mr. Langdon and 
Miss Mary A. Stream, a native of Licking County, 
Ohio, were united in marriage. Her parents emi- 
grated to Linn County, Iowa, in 1855. They 
were Elias and Mary A. Stream, natives of Virginia, 
and descendants from an old aristocratic family- of 
that State. They were both called from this life 
in Iowa, leaving ten children to mourn their loss. 



They were worthy citizens and left a wide circle 
of friends and acquaintances, who will ever hold 
their memory dear. Mrs. Langdon, who received 
a good education in her native State, numliers 
man3' friends who esteem her highly for her many 
amiable qualities and well-known worth. She has 
been truly a sharer of her husband's joys and sor- 
rows and has faithfully helped to lighten his anxi- 
eties and cares. 

Mr. Langdon is a firm believer in the i)rinciples 
of the Republican party, casting his votes in favor 
of the men nominated by that party. He has al- 
ways taken a leading part in pulMic affairs, doing 
all in his power to promote the best interests of 
his fellow-townsmen and the community in which 
he dwells. 



|, *?ILLIAM ANDREWS, senior partner in the 
\aj// enterprising and prosperous firm of An- 
^^^ drews, Ohl A Co., dealers in stock, grain, 
lumber, seeds, wagons, agricultural implements, 
buggies, harness, coal and rock salt, atMorse, Iowa, 
is one of the ablest, most energetic and thorough 
business men of the State, and is widely known as 
a progressive citizen of undoubted integrity' of 
character. For over thirt3'-two years a constant 
resident of Johnson County, our subject has been 
intimately associated with the promotion of the 
business interests of (Ti-aliara Township, and aside 
from his mercantile interests profitably conducts a 
valuable farm of one hundred and ninetj-'Seven 
acres, all under a high state of cultivation. Jlr. 
Andrews was born in Chester County, Pa., .luly 
28, 1849, and remained in his birthplace until he 
was eight years old, when his i)aients, .Joseph and 
Joanna (Garrett) Andrews, removed with their 
family to the State of Indiana, and there made 
their home for the next three jears. 

The father, Joseph Andrews, born in Allegheny 
County March 4, 1820, and the mother, Joanna 
Garrett, born January 10, 1817, in Chester County 



366 



POiJTEAIT AND BIOGRAPfflCAL RECORD. 



of the Quaker State, were not satisfied with their 
location in Indiana, and in 1860 came to Johnson 
County, and settled in Graham Township, where, 
with the exception of six j'ears which tliey spent 
in Madison County, Iowa, they were constant resi- 
dents until the death of their mother, August 1, 
1889. Mr. Andrews was but eleven 3'ears of age 
when his parents moved to Graham Township, 
and for some time he attended the district schools 
of the neighborhood, completing his studies in the 
State University, and receiving the benefit of an 
advanced course of instruction for one year and 
a-half. Our subject was the youngest of a family 
of three children, and early in life began to win 
his own way in the world. From the time of his 
arrival in Johnson County-, in 1860, up to the 
present date, he has been emplo3ed within the 
limits of Graham Township, except for a brief ex- 
perience of two years in Madison County, where 
he taught school for twelve months, and during 
the remainder of his stay in that part of Iowa en- 
gaged in the duties of agriculture. 

Early in the '70s, when the railroad was com- 
pleted between Cedar Rapids and Iowa City, Mr. 
Andrews engaged for four years in the service of 
a Burlington house, and with his headquarters at 
Morse bought and shipped grain. The four years 
having expired, our subject then formed a part- 
nership with the late E. K. Morse, and entered 
into a general stock and lumber business, which 
the firm profitably conducted for two 3'ears, the 
partnership then being dissolved. From this pe- 
riod until May, 1876, Mr. Andrews was alone in 
business, but at the latter date associated with him- 
self Alfred R. Ohl, tlie firm being known as An- 
drews & Ohl, until September 1, 1880, when Mr. 
S. II. Hemsted was admitted into partnership, and 
the title of the house became Andrews, Ohl & Co. 
The firm carry on an extensive and rapidly in- 
creasing business in the various departments of 
their line of trade, and are widely known through- 
out the State as a thoroughl3' reliable liouse, at- 
tending closel3' to details of business, and fair and 
square in all financial transactions. 

Our subject was united in marriage May 25, 
1876, with .Miss Charlotte L. Morse, a daughter of 
the late E. K. Morse, and a native of Graham 




Township. Mrs. Andrews was married in her 
native place. They have been blessed by the 
birth of seven children, of whom but fourarenow 
living: Alfred, Lewis, Frank rand Ruth. The 
three who passed away died in infancy or earl3' 
childhood. Our subject and his estimable wife 
occupy social positions of usefulness and influence 
in the township which has so long been their 
home, and are ever ready to lend a helping hand 
in behalf of worthy enterprise. Mr. Andrews de- 
votes his time unweariedly to business affairs, but 
he is also an important factor in the advancement 
of local improvement, and is an ardent advocate 
of educational progress. Fraternally, he is con- 
nected with the Ancient Free & Accepted Masons, ^, j- v*' 
and has long been a valued member of that an- -J J/ / 
cient and honorable order. Comparatively 3'Oimg^ -1^ ■ 
in years, and yet a pioneer settler of Grahani-'' ■ ' 
Township, with a valuable capital of many years 
of practical business experience, possessing an un- 
blemished reput-ation, and having already ac(iuii-ed 
a comfortable competence, Mr. Andrews is in every 
sense of the word a trul3' representative American 
citizen, earnest, energetic and self-reliant, winning 
his own way upward and commanding the respect 
t of all his business associates and the general public. 



^> _' 



DAM KNIESE, an energetic and prosper- 
l@'/L-lli ous general agriculturist located upon 
section 1, Scott Township, Jo!iuson County, 
Iowa, is one of the worthy and substan- 
tial citizens who have for the past score of 3'ears 
materially aided in the growth and progress of 
Johnson Count3'. Our subject is a native of the 
territory of Nassen-Erfurt, Hesse, Germany, hav- 
ing been born in the Fatherland October 30, 1830. 
He attended the schools of Germany and re- 
ceived excellent practical instructions and was 
also taught the performance of farming duties, 
from earliest boyhood being carefully trained in 
habits of industrious thrift and sturdy self-reliance. 







/f^^CU.^ .^-^r:^...^ 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



369 



One year after attaining liis majority, Mr. Kuiese 
decided to try iiis fortunes in the United States, 
and in 1853, forsaking the associations of his 
youth, crossed the broad Atlantic, and safely 
reached America. Lauding upon our shores in 
September, he went directly to Pennsylvania, and 
in the Quaker State received immediate employ- 
ment upon a farm. 

Continuing in his first position for one year and 
a-half, our subject at the expiration of this per- 
iod of time went to Philadelphia, and was there 
married to Miss Katherine Ileck, March 8, 1855. 
Mrs. Knicse, a most estimable lady, was a native 
of Nieter Urf, Hesse, Germany, and was born May 
3, 1829. She was reared in her native country 
and had reached twenty-four years of age before 
siie came to the United States. Immediately fol- 
lowing their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Kniese made 
their home adjacent to Philadelphia, the husband 
engaging in profitable employment in Pennsyl- 
vania until they finally determined to locate in 
the West. In the early winter of 1868, our sub- 
ject and his wife and family journeyed to Iowa, 
and Mr. Kniese purchased his present farm in 
Scott Township. Johnson County, where they have 
continued since to reside. Mr. and Mrs. Kniese 
are the parents of tliree living children: Henry, 
George and Annie. The second child died in in- 
fancy. 

About a quarter of a century has passed since 
our subject came from his far-off home in Penn- 
sylvania, and, buying two hundred and twelve 
acres of Iowa land, settled thereon with his family 
and entered upon the arduous life of a Western 
tiller of the soil. In these many years wliich have 
sped quickly by, Mr. Kniese has wrought a great 
and pleasing change in his now valuable acreage. 
The farm, brought up to a high state of cultiva- 
tion, annually yields an abundant harvest and re- 
pays with an excellent income tlie time and labor 
expended in its culture. A better class of im- 
provements, a good residence, substantial barns 
and outbuilding, plainly evidence the wise and 
thrifty management of the prosperous owner. Mr. 
and Mrs. Kniese and their sons and daughter re- 
ceive the esteem and high regard of the members 
of the community, among whom their useful lives 

17 



are passeii, and, strict in religious observance, ma- 
terially assist in the support of their church work 
and its various benevolent enterprises. Our sub- 
ject is not actively interested in political matters, 
but he neglects no duty devolving ui)on him as a 
true citizen of his adopted country, and casts his 
vote for the man he believes best fitted to dis- 
cliarge oflicial trusts and national obligations. 



I 015ERT A. McCHESNEY, the genial, popu- 
lar and elticient agent of the United 
States Express Company at Iowa City, 
^) Iowa, has been in the employ of this 
widely known corporation for a period of over 
thirtj'-four years, during which time he has been 
prompt, faithful and reliable in the discharge of all 
duties entrusted to his care and has given universal 
satisfaction to the general business public. Since 
1863, his permanent headquarters have been in 
Iowa City, where he has been intimately associated 
with matters of local enterprise and progress and, 
a public-spirited citizen, has gained a host of sin- 
cere friends. Our subject is a native of Butler 
County. Ohio, and was born near the village of 
Blue Ball, August 12, 1834. His father, William 
McChesuey, was a native of Pennsylvania, and, in 
early life a pioneer farmer of Butler County, later 
became a successful merchant. His wife, Mrs. 
Mary Ann (Irwin) McChesney, was born in Butler 
County and was the daughter of Col. Irwin, who 
served bravely in the War of 1812, and, a man of 
literary ability and excellent business methods, 
ablj' officiated as a member of the Board of lie- 
gents of Miami Universit}'. 

After his marriage, William McChesney resided 
for some length of time in Butler County, and 
then removed to Preble County, there engaging 
in 1844 in the mercantile business, which he pros- 
perously conducted for a number of years. Later 
in life, he came to Iowa and made his home with 
his children, and after a long and honorable career 
of busy usefulness died at Iowa Fulls, in 1882. 



370 



PORTRAIT AND B10(:!UAPH]CAL RECORD 



Born in 1800, he had survived to witness the 
clianging scenes of four-fifths of a century, life 
with exciting and momentous ei>ochs in our na- 
tional history, [lis beloved wife passed away in 
1885, having also lived to an advanced age. 
Robert A. was the fourth of their family of six 
ciiildren, and spent liis early j'ears in Butler 
County, there gaining a preparatory educalion, 
afterward taking a course in civil engineering in 
Miami University and completing his more ad- 
vanced studies. His scliool days ended, our sub- 
ject began railroading and engaged in Butler 
County with the Little Miami Railroad. In 185-1 
Mr. McChesney located in Iowa expressly to enter 
upon the duties of his profession. 

At this time his brother, AVilliam H. McChesney, 
was Superintendent of the Western Stage Com- 
pany, and our subject was appointed assistant at 
Iowa City and held the position until the comple- 
tion of the railway, when, in 1858, he entered the 
service of the United States Express Compan}- as 
messenger on the overland route from Omaha to 
the mountains. In 1863 he returned to Iowa City, 
having at this date been assigned to his present 
post of duty as the agent of the United States 
Express Company. 

Robert A. McChesne}', our subject, and Miss 
Amelia S. Chapman were united in marriage in 
Muscatine, Iowa, upon September 2, 1862, Mrs. 
McChesney being the daughter of Gardner S. 
Chapman, an early settler and highly respected 
citizen of Muscatine. Two sons have blessed the 
home of Mr. and^ Mrs. McChesney, both of whom 
occupy responsible positions and have before them 
the prospect of a bright future and honorable 
career. Charles C. is an assistant in the United 
States Express office at Kansas City, and William J. 
is a book-keeper in the First National Bank of 
Iowa City. Our subject lias long been a valued 
member of the Presbyterian Church, for the past 
fifteen years serving as an Elder of that religious 
denomination. He and his good wife are foremost 
in the promotion of social and benevolent enter- 
prises and are liberal givers, their pleasant home, 
No. 12 Bloomingtou Street, being known as the 
abode of hospitality. The McChesneys are of 
Scotch-Irish descent, the paternal great-grandpar- 



ents having emigrated to this country in a very 
early day. Grandfather William McChesney was 
an earnest and resolute man, inheriting the virtues 
of Ills mingled ancestry and transmitting to his de- 
scendants the self-reliant courage, iudomitable will 
and sterling integrity of character which have dis- 
tinguished the upriglit lives of his son and grand- 
son and descending to the fourth generation will 
richly endow tlic sons of our subject with all the 
noblest and most manly attributes of the true Am- 
erican citizen. 



'• ' ^z 



^^^ 



/^y^ ATTHEW COCHRAN, a prosperous and 
enterprising agriculturist, whf)se magnifi- 
cent farm of about five hundred acres is 
located upon section 28, Graham Town- 
ship, Johnson County, Iowa, is one of the pioneer 
settlers of the State, and was fifteen years of age 
when with his parents and their family lie arrived 
within the borders of the county, May 9, 1843. 
Our subject was born in Glasgow, Scotland, March 
6, 1828, and was but little more than a twelve- 
month old when his father and mother, Matthew 
and Margaret (Russell) Cochran, emigrated to the 
United States, making their first home in America 
in New Jersey. After several years' residence in 
New York City, they removed to the West, and 
after having spent one winter in St. Louis, came to 
Iowa, and locating in the spring of 1843 in Gra- 
ham Township, afterward made this locality their 
permanent home. The father, Matthew Cochran, 
born in Bonnie Scotland Se|)tember 23, 1793, was 
a man of unusual ability and enterprise, and, a 
liberal and public-spirited citizen, was deeply 
mourned when after twenty-one years of busy in- 
dustry in bis Iowa home he passed awaN', July 20, 
1864. 

The estimable wife and mother, Margaret (Rus- 
sell) Cochran, was also born in Scotland, September 
0, 1798. She preceded her husband in death a little 
more than two years, dyiug in Graham Town- 
shij) December 16, 1866. She was the mother of 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



371 



nine children, two daiigliters and seven sons, Mat- 
thew being the sixth child in order of birth. The 
youthful days of our subject were mostly passed 
by him in New York City, where he received a 
common-school education. His life has been 
mainly devoted to the pursuit of agriculture, but 
for a few years in early manhood he was engaged 
in ISt. Louis, employed by his brother-in-law, the 
late James R. Lake. Since then he has profitabl}'^ 
conducted farming and achieved a comfortable 
competence, being numbered among the leading 
and most successful agriculturists of Johnson 
Count3'. Mr. Cochran is not only thoroughly 
versed in the tilling of the soil, but is an exten- 
sive stock-raiser. The broad acreage of the home- 
stead is under line cultivation and well improved 
with commodious and substantial buildings, which 
testify to the thrift and wise management of the 
provident owner. 

Our subject was married in Scott Township, 
Johnson County, Iowa, January 22, 1867, to Miss 
Adaline Douglass, who was born in Butler County', 
Pa., April 3, 1835. Mrs. Cochran is the daughter 
of James and Mary (Brown) Douglass, and sister 
of William and Larimer Douglass and Mrs. Will- 
iam Cochran, well-known residents of Johnson 
County. Father Douglass was of Scotch ancestry, 
and, born April 1, 1803, was but fifty-six years of 
age when he died, November 9, 1859. His wife 
survived him many years, living until September 
14, 1891. She was a native Pennsylvanian and 
was born January 11, 1804. The home of Mr. 
and Mrs. Cochran has been blessed by the birth 
of nine children, some of whom have gone out into 
homes of their own. Mary C, the eldest, is the 
wife of B. W. Gardner; James A. married Miss Es- 
sie Spining; Lura A. is the second daughter; Ag- 
nes E. is the wife of Sydney Cozine; Charles D., 
Jessie, George L., Grace and Raymond complete 
the list of s<ms and daughters, widely known and 
liighl3- esteemed l)y a large circle of friends and 
acquaintances. Politically Mr. Cochran is a stal- 
wart Republican, and although never an office- 
seeker is an ardent advocate of his party, which he 
believes to be the party of progress and reform. 
Mrs. Cochran is a valued member of the Presby- 
terian Church, and with her familv is active in 



good works and benevolent enterprise. Promi- 
nently identified with the upward growth and 
best interests of the township, his continuous home 
for more than two-score years, Mr. Cocliran com- 
mands the siueere regard of his fellow-townsmen, 
many of whom have been his friends and associ 
ates from boyhood. 



^ynyiRUCE PATTERSON. Not without justice 
|L>^, is Mr. Patterson conceded to hold an en- 
(?®)Jj viable position among the prominent and 
%~^ successful men of Johnson County. Farm- 
ing has always been his chief occupation, and the 
energetic manner in which he has always taken 
advantage of methods and ideas tending to en- 
hance the value of his property has had a great 
deal to do with obtaining the competence he now 
enjoys. He was born in Licking County, Ohio, De- 
cember 8, 1 842, being a son of Ephraim Patterson, a 
Virginian, and a grandson of Adam Patterson, also 
a Virginian, but of h'ish descent. The latter re- 
moved to Licking County, Ohio, in a vevy early 
day, and settled on a heavy tract of woodland, 
where he and his sons found plenty to do in 
clearing the land and getting it in a desirable 
condition for tilling. There the grandfather was 
called from the scenes of his labors at the advanced 
age of eighty odd years. 

Ephraim Patterson obtained his education in 
the public schools of Ohio, and as^his youth and 
early manhood were devoted to the occupations 
of farming, it was but natural that he should turn 
his attention to that occupation when starling out 
to fight life's battle for himself, and he found that 
his earl}' labors were of practical benefit to him. 
In 1847 he came to the conclusion that the West 
was the proper field for a young man of ambition 
and energy, and he accordingly turned his face 
AVestward, and after an overland journey of four 
weeks he reached Iowa, which had been his objec- 
tive point from the first, and built the first house 
on this prairie, although there were a few strag- 



372 



PORTKAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



gliug settlers here and there. He entered eleven 
hundred acres of land, developed one hundred and 
sixt3% and gave a considerable portion of the re- 
mainder to his children. The legiou abounded in 
Indians at that time, and Mr. Patterson came to 
know their customs and habits well, and was on 
very friendly terms with them as long as they re- 
mained in the country. Many deer roamed in the 
prairies and forests, wild turkeys were very nu- 
merous, and the prairie wolf was very frequently 
seen. Iowa City at that time was a mere hamlet. 
Mr. Patterson w.as very public-spirited, knew 
the value of a good education and determined 
tliat his children should have better opportunities 
than he had had, and gladly assisted in building 
the first schoolhouse on the prairie, to which the 
younger members of his family were sent. He 
died in 1863, at the age of fifty-six years, an ear- 
nest and consistent member of the Christian Church, 
which he assisted in organizing in this township. 
I'olitically, he was in sympathy with the Demo- 
cratic party. 

While still a resident of Ohio he was united in 
marriage with Miss Eve Fry, a sister of John Fry, 
a sketch of whom is found in this work. She was 
born December 27, 1805, in Pennsylvania, and of 
the eight children she bore Mr. Patterson six 
reached maturity: Clarissa, Adam, Jacob, John, 
Smiley and P>ruce. Minerva and Lorain died 
young. The mother died in her eightieth year, a 
member of the Christian Church, in which she 
took an active interest and was an energetic 
worker. 

Although the subject of this sketch was but five 
years old at the time of his parents' removal to this 
section, he has a distinct recollection of the jour- 
ney. In the subscription schools, which were in 
votrue during his youth, he obtained a practical 
education, but outside of this his vigorous mind 
so grasped and eml)raced the opportunities that 
presented themselves that he is accounted among 
the most learned and intelligent men of his vi- 
cinity. Being from the very first taught every- 
thing connected with farming, he very naturally 
turned his attention to that occupation upon start- 
ing out in life for himself at the age of twenty- 
one years, and, although his means were quite lim- 



ited at first, he brought into play his excellent 
judgment and good business capacity, and by a 
liberal exercise of brain and brawn his efforts have 
been justly rewarded. 

December 25, 187(i, he was married to Miss 
Mary J. Van Meter, who was born in Berrien, 
Berrien County, Mich., March 12, 1848, but in 
1850 removed with her parents to Rock Island 
County, 111., in 1875 to Washington County, 
Iowa, and a few years later settled in Iowa City. 
Her parents, Jacob W. and Susan E. (Moore) Van- 
Meter, were natives of Greene County, Ohio. Mr. 
Patterson's union has resulted in the birth of 
three children, Ray, N^'e and Orr, who are bright 
and promising. He has an excellent and well- 
tilled farm of one hundred and si::ty-nine acres, 
one hundred and sixty acres of which are under 
cultivation and eight acres in timberland. lie 
has resided on this farm for many jears, aiul all 
the substantial improvements have been made 
through his own efforts. On the lOtli of Oc- 
tober, 1887, he had the misfortune to have a 
large frame residence burn to the ground, and a 
fine barn burned from lightning on the lOlh of 
August, 1891, together with about fifty tons of 
hay, two horses, considerable machinery, and some 
grain, which was partially insured. He has now 
a large and handsome frame residence and two 
large barns, one built in 1891 and the other in 
1892. His home is quite in accord with the way 
in which the farm in general is kept up, for every- 
thing about the place is neat and attractive, speak- 
ing well for the management of the owner, who 
looks well beyond the work of the moment and 
the gain of the moment to the future. He gives 
considerable attention to the raising of a good 
grade of stock. 

Mr. Patterson is a prominent Democrat, and 
has been active in supporting the measures of his 
part}', which has shown its appreciation of his ef- 
forts by electing him a member of the County 
Board of Supervisors, which position he filled six 
years, holding the position of Chairman one \ear. 
He has also been Township Clerk, and socially is 
a member of the Independent Order of -Odd Fel- 
lows, of Kalona. His wife is a woman of much 
intelligence and decision of character, is a model 







i.j/>,/ ' (fCr 7-rvS^. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



37i 



housekeeper, and has remarkable success in the 
culture of flowers, the windows of their residence 
being filled with beautiful flowering plants. Their 
home is considered one of the hospitable ones of 
the county, and they are very highly regarded in 
the social circles of their section. 



!)HOiVIAS COMBE, for many years one of 
the prominent citizens of Johnson County, 
' Iowa, and an energeti(! and enterprising 
man of sterling integrity of character, worthily 
occupied various responsible positions of trust in 
his home locality, and as County Supervisor for 
three terms, gave his earnest effort in behalf of 
public welfare and improvements, winning the 
high regard of his fellow-townsmen. Our sub- 
ject is a native of England, and was born in 
Cornwall, December 25, 1816. The family name 
was formerly spelled Coumbe, but Mr. Combe 
dropped the "u" upon coming to Iowa. He was 
partially reared and educated in his native land, 
but at fourteen years of age he emigrated to Amer- 
ica, and made his home in Mt. Vernon, Ohio. He 
had been early appreiiticed to the carpenter's 
trade, and worked on the CTambier College and 
other large buildings. When twenty-one years of 
age he began life for himself by journeying to the 
West, where he first visited Galena, III., hunting 
for his brothers, who were engaged in the lead 
mines. From Illinois Mr. Combe journeyed to 
Clinton County, Iowa, there remaining for two 
3'ears, and at the expiration of that length of time 
went to Iowa City, where the capital had a short 
time before been located, and worked at his trade, 
assisting in the erection of numerous buildings of 
the cit3-, among them being the First Baptist 
Church, he takmg a contract for the same. 

Our subject became a large contractor and builder, 
and invested extensively in property, rapidly ac- 
quiring through his own self-reliant efforts a com- 
fortable competence. In the spring of 1850 he 
joined the large emigration across the plains, and 



arriving safely in California continued there for 
three years. He engaged profitably in mining, 
and was one of the few men who remained in the 
mountains during the winter months. In 1853 
Mr. Combe left the Golden State, and returned to 
Iowa City. He made a visit to Wisconsin in 1855, 
and there met Mrs. Combe, then Miss Merritt, and 
they were united in marriage February 1, 1855, 
immediately returning to Iowa City, which they 
made their home until 1860. At this latter date 
Mr. and Mrs. Combe removed to the farm where 
the widow of our subject now resides, upon section 
16, Oxford Townshii), .Johnson Countj'. Mrs. 
Mary E. (Merritt) Combe was born in Burlington, 
Vt., November 26, 1837, and was the daughter of 
Chittenden Merritt, a native of Vermont and a 
prosperous contractor and builder of Burlington. 
He erected many of the best buildings in that cit}', 
and, a man of enterprise and native ability, was 
widely known and highly respected. The paternal 
grandfather, Nathaniel Merritt, was a native of 
France, and came to America with his father and 
mother when a child. 

The mother of Mrs. Combe, Lorinda (Hindman) 
Merritt, died when her daughter Mary was very 
young, and there is no record of her famil3' history 
now obtainable. The father was married a second 
time, to Sarah O. Ranney, and Mrs. Combe never 
knew .any other mother. She is the second child 
of the first marriage. She had twin half-brothers, 
Edward, who resides in Colorado, and Edgar, who 
grew up to a most promising young manhood, 
and died at the age of twenty-one. The pleasant 
home of Mr. and Mrs. Combe was blessed by the 
birth of four children, two sons and two daughters. 
Lizzie died in infant-^'; Robert is in the live-stock 
and commission business in Chicago, the firm be- 
ing known as R. M. Combe & Co.; Ella is tiic wife 
of Cleod Brown, of Esthcrville, Iowa; and Charles 
is the youngest of the family, and resides with 
his mother. Mr. Combe died on the 23d of July, 
1891. He was a man of upright character, a 
kind friend and devoted husband and father, 
and withal a liberal and public-spirited citizen, 
and his death w.as mourned as a public loss. Po- 
litically, he was a stalwart Republican, and his 
advice and excellent judgment had great weight 



37G 



PORTRAIT AND ElOGRAPIIICAL RECORD. 



ill the councils of the local party. Serving with 
ability as County Supervisor for three terms, and 
occupying with distinguished efficiency positions 
of the township, our subject was, in 1849, nomi- 
nated by his constituents as Representative to the 
General Assembly, and only missed the election to 
the oflice by a few votes, running ahead of his 
ticket. Faithful to each duty of his life, Thomas 
Combe will long live in the memory of his many 
friends, who honored his native ability and genu- 
ine worth of character. Since the death of her 
husband, Mrs. Comlje has managed the property 
with care and excellent judgment. Among other 
real estate was the fine farm upon which she 
now resides. The two hundred and forty acres 
are all under a high state of cultivation and 
well improved with a handsome country dwelling 
and substantial barns and outbuildings. Another 
piece of farming property of two hundred acres 
h.as been divided among the heirs. A lady of 
broad intelligence and practical experience, Mrs. 
Combe is an important factor in the social and 
benevolent enterprises of her locality and possesses 
a host of sincere friends, who appreciate heniuali- 
ties of mind and heart. 



i^i^itc^soii 



"jf' AMES E. NEELY, a well-known and exten- 
tive cheese manufacturer and successful 
agriculturist of Grinnell, Poweshiek County, 
^J Iowa, is one of the most energetic and en- 
terprising men of the State, and, straightforward 
in business dealings, numbers among his large pat- 
ronage of to-day many of his first customers. Our 
subject was born in Herkimer County, N. Y., .June 
19, 1846, and was the sixth in a farail3' of eight chil- 
dren who blessed the home of Jerome and Eliza- 
beth (Nellis) Neely. The paternal grandfather, 
Abraham Neely, was a native of New England and 
bravely served as a captain in the War of 1812. 
Ilis wife was a member of the old Payne family', 
well known in the p]ast, the vaiious branches of 
which have furnished some of the bravest citi- 



zens and most distinguished men and women of 
the United States. Mr. Neely spent the days of 
early manhood and youtli in his native State and 
county, where he was trained into habits of useful 
industry and received a good common-school edu- 
cation in the home locality, afterward completing 
a course of instruction at Fairfield, N. Y., being 
then well prepared to make his waj' in tiie world. 

At eighteen years of age our subject removed 
to Ohio and located in Lake County, and in his 
newliome devoted his time and attention to teach- 
ing. After a time he engaged in the produce 
business and, achieving profitable results, remained 
in that line of trade for several years. While in 
Ohio Mr. Neelj^ was united in marriage, December 
22, 1869, with Miss Lydia Wire, a most estimable 
lady. In 1870 our subject purchased the fine farm 
in Poweshiek County where he now resides, but 
it was not until 1871 that he permanentl}' located 
thereon with his wife and family. Mr. Neely at first 
began making cheese in Iowa in his residence, but in 
1882 built a part of liis present factory, to which 
he has since made required additions, and by an 
excellent arrangement the engine which runs the 
factory also through the long winter season fur- 
nishes abundant heat for the family residence. 
The business, which was from the start an assured 
success and is yet rapidly increasing, has afforded 
for a number of years an output of one hundred 
thousand pounds per annum. Our subject owns 
one hundred and sixty acres of valuable land, 
which he has brought to a high state of cultiva- 
tion and improved with substantial and commo- 
dious buildings, an attractive country residence, 
convenient barns and outbuildings, as well as the 
factory, which is now complete in its various 
appointments. The trade extends throughout 
the State of Iowa and also embraces a large 
outside territory, reaching into Colorado to the 
Westward, and year after year the product more 
firmly establishes the reputation of the manufac- 
turer and increases the volume of the business. 

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Neely have been born four 
bright and promising children: Walter, Earl, Ada 
P. and Ida E. (twin daughters). Our subject and 
his estimable wife liave long been identified with 
Christian Church and are valued aids in the good 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



377 



work, social and benevolent enterprises of that 
denomination, with which they first allied them- 
selves in the State of Ohio. Fraternally, Mr. Neely 
is a member of the Ancient Free & Accepted Masons 
and in political affiliation is a stanch Republican, 
taking an active interest in the vital questions of 
the day. Through his business relations he is 
widely known throughout the State and universalh^ 
esteemed for his probity of character and sterling 
worth as a citizen and respresentative business 
man. 



^j: LBION J. OLDAKER, Recorder of Iowa 
jp//j| | Count}', Iowa. The public services of 
/// lil Mr. Oldaker since January 1, 1889, have 
^jfl been characterized b}' a noticeable devo- 

ti(jn to t'lc welfare of this county, and his ability 
and fidelity in his present position have made a 
lasting impression upon this sphere of public dut}-. 
He has always been a stanch supporter of the 
principles of Democracy, and in his official capac- 
ity is courteous, obliging and capable, in fact, a 
beau ideal public officer, which attributes his con- 
stituents were not slow to recognize, and in 1890 
Le was re-elected to his present office. 

Mr. Oldaker was born near Iowa Cit}', in John- 
son County, Iowa, Januar}' 31, 18G2, a son of 
Henry Oldaker, who was born in Knox Count}', 
Iowa, in 1831, and is a grandson of Jacob G. 
Oldaker, whose native soil was Virginia. The 
pai'ents of the latter removed to Virginia from 
Maryland and devoted their attention to farm- 
ing, to which occupation Jacob G. Oldaker also 
applied himself when s'arting out to fight life's 
battles for himself. He improved a good farm 
near Mt. Vernon, Knox Countv, Ohio, but in 
1848 came to Iowa and settled on a farm in the 
vicinity of Iowa City, on which place he was 
called from life in 1886, at the advanced age of 
eighty years. He was of Scotch descent and a 
member of the Christian Church. Henry Oldaker 
came to Iowa when a stripling of eighteen years. 



but to one of his enterprising and ambitious na- 
ture the slow, if sure, way of making money by 
tilling the soil was not to be thought of, and in 
1852 he started for the gold fields of California, 
making the long and tedious journey across the 
plains with an ox-team. The company of which 
he was a member was commanded by Thom.as 
Rockhill, who is now a resident of California. 
On this journey they had several skirmishes and 
fights with the Indians, but at last reached the 
goal of their ambition without serious mishap. 
Mr. Oldaker was engaged in prospecting and min- 
ing for two years with fair success, after whicli 
several years were spent in the city of Sacra- 
mento. In the fall of 18,57 he returned across 
the plains on horseback and alone, and made the 
journey with little trouble and in safety. 

Mr. Oldaker invested his means in a farm in 
the vicinity of Frank Pierce, which he conducted 
in a successful manner until December, 1864, when 
he sold the place and came to Iowa County, locating 
on a two hundred acre farm in Green Township. 
This farm he at once set to work to improve and 
added to it from time to time as his means al- 
lowed, until he had in his possession a magnificent 
estate comprising five hundred and sixty acres. 
In addition to raising the usual grain products, 
he supplemented this with the raising of stock, 
which branch of his business he found to be both 
a profit and a pleasure. After an exceptionall}' 
useful and well-spent life his career was closed by 
death November 3, 1889, at which time he was in 
full communion with the Universalist Church, 
and politically was in sympathy with the Demo- 
cratic party. The lady that he mariied was Mari- 
amne Crosby, who was born near Granville, Lick- 
ing County, Ohio, her father being Eddy Crosb}-, 
a native of Exeter, N. H. He afterward became 
a lumberman of Oneida County, N. Y., and in 
1840 engaged in farming in Licking County, Ohio, 
an occupation he continued, to follow after his 
removal to Washington Count}', Iowa, in 1855. 
Later he opened up a farm in Johnson County, 
Iowa. The Crosbys trace their ancestiy back to 
the old historic ship, the "Mayflower." 

To Mr. Oldaker and his wife four sons and 
two daughters were born, the subject of this 



378 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



sketcli being the eldest of the familj-. He became 
a resident of Iowa County December 8, 1864, and 
began attending the district schools in the vicin- 
ity of his rural home. He applied iiimself with 
diligence to his books, and as he possessed a 
naturally fine mind, made rapid progress in his 
studies. For three winters he worked at the 
blacksmith trade, and then became a grain buj'er 
at Parnell for F. A. H. Greulich, and later en- 
gaged in teaciiing school in Iowa and AVashing- 
ton Counties, soon becoming known as a success- 
ful educator. His many worthy traits of character 
have won him numerous friends, and, being an 
.active worker for the success of his partj', his ef- 
forts were recognized by his election to his present 
responsible position. 

IVIr. Oldaker not only owns a good farm in 
Green Township, but also a comfortable and pleas- 
ant residence in Marengo, where he and his wife 
dispense a generous and true-hearted hospitality, 
lie was married in Green Township, in 1886, to 
Miss Eva Winslow, who was born in Washington 
County, Iowa, a daughter of George Winslow, a 
successful farmer of Iowa County. Their union 
has resulted in the birth of three interesting little 
chiklren: Lee, Lulu G. and Evelyn. Mr. Oldaker 
is Chancellor-Commander of Marengo Lodge No. 
.30, K. of P.; is P.ast Grand in Hebron Lodge No. 
148, and is a member of the Ancient Free & Ac- 
cepted Masons, in wliicli he has attained to the 
Royal Arch degree. 



\J( AMES D. EVANS. We take especial pleas- 
ure in chronicling tiie history of the brave 
veterans of the late war who have suffered 
so much and have so valiantly preserved to 
this and all coming gener.ations this glorious land 
of the free, and among those to whom all honor 
is due is numbered our subject. He is a leading 
farmer on section 35, Washington Township, 
Poweshiek County. 



William L. Evans, the father of our subject, was 
born in Virginia, as was also his father, George 
Evans, who was of Welsh descent, his ancestors 
having emigrated to America in the Colonial days. 
George Evans was one of the early settlers in 
Greene County, Ohio, where he engaged in farm- 
ing, and there died about sixty years of age. The 
father of our subject was a school teacher when a 
5'oung man and came to this (bounty in 1854 from 
Ohio, making the journey by wagons. He made a 
settlement at Forest Home, where he purchased 
land and developed a farm. He w.as called to the 
home beyond in .June, 1871. His wife was form- 
erly Miss Dollie Glass, whose birtii occurred in 
Virginia. After rearing a family of eight children, 
three being deceased, she died when about forty 
years of age. She was a faithful and consistent 
member of the Christian Church, and both she and 
iier husband were held in the higliest respect 
throughout the county. 

James D. Evans was born March 3, 1836, in 
Greene County, Ohio, and is the eldest child of 
his father's family. His education was such as 
could bo obtaiued in the old-fashioned log school- 
house, with its primitive methods of imp.arting 
knowledge. When only eighteen years of age he 
left his father's roof-tree and came to the then 
Far West of this State. He located in Poweshiek 
County and for a few years engaged in laboring 
by the month. On the 28th of July, 1862, he en- 
listed in the Twentj'-eightli Iowa Infantry, becom- 
ing a member of Company C. At different times 
he was stationed in Arkans.as, Mississippi and 
Texas, taking part in the engagement at Sabine 
Cross Roads, on the Red River campaign, and was 
there t.aken prisoner and sent to Tyler Prison in 
Texas, where he languished in confinement for 
thirteen months and nineteen days. For a part of 
the time he received very hard treatment at the 
hands of the rebels, and certainly no consideration 
would induce him to again pass through those 
trying times. He was mustered out of service at 
Davenport, Iowa, July 7, 1865. As a slight rec- 
ognition of his valued services the Government is 
now paying him a pension of 18 per month. 

On the 14th of November, 1867, Mr. Evans and 
Miss Anna Farmer, a native of Greene County, 




\ 





PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



381 



Ohio, were united in marriage. Mrs. Evans came 
with her parents to Iowa in 1850 and was reared 
to womanood in this State, receiving a good edu- 
cation. Seven children have graced the union of 
this worthy couple, six of wlioni are living, their 
names being as follows: Irvin L., Dollie V., Jesse 
A., Edward T., Frank and Ralph. 

Soon after his marriage our subject located on a 
tract of raw land, on which no improvements had 
been made. His farm now comprises two hundred 
and twenty-two acres, which yield an abundant 
revenue to the owner, who is engaged in raising 
grain and large numbers of cattle, horses and hogs. 
He erected his present comfortable residence in 
1875, and in 1889 put up a large barn. On every 
hand abundant proof is given of the carefulness 
and thrifty waj'S of the owner of this fertile and 
well-developed farm, for everything is kept in a 
creditable manner and tiie most approved methods 
of modern farming are used. 

Since becoming a voter Mr. Evans has used his 
right of franchise in favor of the Republican party 
and has served his fellow-townsmen in various 
otiicial positions, the duties of which he has dis- 
charged with fidelity. P'or several terms he has 
been Trustee of the township. He has been a wit- 
ness of great changes in this section of tiie coun- 
try since taking up his abode here. P.eginning 
empty-handed he has certainly achieved a remark- 
able success and is in the enjoyment of a goodly 
income. He is a member of Montezuma Post, G. 
A. R., and has an especially warm place in his 
heart for the •'boys in blue," the brave defenders 
of the Union. 



\f/ EMUEL HUNTER, an energetic and pros- 
I I©) porous general agriculturist and success- 
j lL^ ful stock-raiser, located in Scott Township, 
Johnson County', Iowa, was the youngest of the 
large family of the late pioneer settler, Adam 
Hunter, who was largely identified with the early 
histor}-, rapid growth and upward progress of this 



portion of his adopted State. Adam Hunter, a 
man of vigorous constitution and endowed with 
more than usual ability, was a native of Ireland, 
born in Ballamoney, Antrim County, Ulster Pro- 
vince. He emigrated to America when but seven- 
teen years of age, and through his own self-reliance 
steadily won his way up to assured success. He 
was married in York, Pa., to Elizabeth Morrison, 
and settled in Baltimore, Md., from which city 
they removed some years later to Trumbull County, 
Ohio, also living for a time in Mahoning County. 
Thence journeying to tiie far West in Iowa, he lo- 
cated in the spring of 1850 in the northwestern part 
of Scott Townshi]), passing away about twenty-six 
years after, upon December 18, 1876. 

The mother, Mrs. Elizabeth (Morrison) Hunter, 
a most estimable wife and devoted parent, sur- 
vived her husband many years and died surrounded 
by her children February 6, 1890. She was the 
mother of twelve children and lived to see them 
occupy positions of usefulness. Our subject was 
born in Mahoning County, Ohio, July 19, 1845, 
and was only five years old when his parents emi- 
grated to Iowa. Reared upon his father's home- 
stead in Scott Township, he also enjoyed the ben- 
efit of instruction in the district schools of the 
home neighborhood, and remaining with his par- 
ents until he had reached mature years, assisted 
them in the dail3' round of farming duties and 
was fully versed in the capable management of 
agricultural pursuits long before he began life for 
himself. Upon June 6, 1872, Lemuel Hunter and 
Miss Elizabeth A. McCrory were united in mar- 
riage in East Lucas, Johnson Count}', Iowa. Mrs. 
Hunter is the daughter of Hon. Samuel II. and 
Elizabeth P. (McCloud) McCrory, who were mar- 
ried in Iowa City, April 6, 1841, and settled in 
what is now East Lucas, in which part of Johnson 
Count}- they made their permanent home, their 
place being known as Virginia Grove. 

The Hon. Samuel H. McCrory was born in Rock- 
bridge County, Va., August 6, 1807, and was in 
the full vigor of ambitious and enterprising man- 
hood when he made his home in Johnson County. 
Able, intelligent and upright in character, he soon 
won the confidence and esteem of all with whom 
he came in contact, and was elected to the State 



382 



PORTRAIT ANT) BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD, 



Legislature for one term, also receiving the hon- 
ored position of Countj^ Commissioner. He was 
tlie first Postmaster of Iowa City, at the beginning 
of his appointment safely carrying tlie mail about 
in his hat. Although not connected by member- 
ship witii any denomination, he was active in re- 
ligious work and was a liberal supporter of the 
church organizations, and materially assisted in 
the extension of Christianitj'. Upon March Ih 
1878, after a residence of thirty-seven years upon 
the old homestead, this beloved and honored Iowa 
pioneer passed [leacefully away, mourned by a host 
of old-time friends and the general pnblic. 

The Hon. Samuel II. McCrory was for a number 
of years prior to his residence in Iowa a well- 
known and highly esteemed citizen of Peoria, 111., 
where he was proficably engaged in the mercantile 
business, and also founded the first newspaper, the 
Register. He came to Johnson County, Iowa, in 
the spring of 18.37, when this part of the United 
States was yet a Teii-itorj^, and as Register of the 
Claim Association drafted the first Code of Laws, 
which regulated the conductand secured the rights 
administered by the laws with impartiality. Tlie 
late .Judge Erwin appointed Mr. McCrory Clerk of 
Wisconsin Territory, but he never occupied the 
office, and he was the fii-st Postmaster also of Iowa 
Cit3-. He was elected to the convention which 
framed the first Constitution of the State of Iowa, 
and in 1855 took his seat in the Legislative halls 
of the State Assemblj'. He and his excellent wife, 
Elizabeth M. McCloud, born in Oiiio, near Colum- 
bus, were the parents of thirteen children, of wliom 
Mrs. Lemuel Hunter was llie eldest. To these 
many sons and daughters their father bequeathed 
as a priceless inheritance tlie spotless record of a 
life whose entire career, public and private, was 
distinguished by a high order of manliness and 
sterling integrity of character. 

Mr. and Mrs. Hunter are the parents of six chil- 
dren, the eldest now approaching an early and 
promising manhood. The sons and daughters, en- 
joying the best educational advantages obtainable 
in their home, have a bright future of usefulness 
and influence before them. Charles R., William 
H., Samuel A., Lemuel A., Bion P. and Kllzabeth 
A. comprise the groui) who gather around the 



family hearth. Mr. and Mrs. Hunter are promi- 
nently connected with the social and benevolent 
enterprises of their locality and are ever read^- to 
aid in all good work, being especially mindful of 
those less fortunate than themselves. Surrounded 
by old-time friends and aequaint.ances, the^' re- 
ceive the well-deserved reijard of a host of friends. 



GRAIN CLARK, a leading and successful 
general agriculturist and highly esteemed 
citizen, located upon section 3, Cedar 
Township, .Tohnson County, Iowa, has resided up- 
on his highly improved homestead of two hundred 
and eighteen acres only since 1889, but has for a 
score of years been identified with the progressive 
interests of the neighboring communities. Our 
subject is a native of Trumbull Count}', Ohio, and 
was born October 2, 1837. His immediate paternal 
ancestors were of English origin. Grandfather 
Isaac Clark, a millwright by trade, served bravely 
in the War of 1812. He made his home in Massa- 
chusetts, in which good old State his son Lorain, 
the father of our subject, was born. Emigrating 
in a vei\y earl_v day to Ohio, he built the first mill 
in Trumbull County, and after a life of more than 
ordinaiy usefulness, passed awa}' at eighty-seven 
j-ears of age. Father Clark removed from Ohio to 
Iowa in 1863, and settled in Cedar Township, 
.lohnson County, and there died November 15, 
1876, .aged seventy-two. The mother, P^miline 
IMcCammon, was a native of Penns3'lvania, and 
died in Ohio December 25, 1856, some j'ears before 
the removal of her husband and family to Iowa. 

Our subject is the second of a family of four 
children, and, with the exception of one sister, is 
the only survivor of the sons and daughters. He 
was reared ujion the farm, and during the winter 
months attended the district schools of the neigh- 
borhood. Attaining early manhood, he assisted 
in the tilling of the soil and aided his father in 
driving large herds of cattle to the New York 
market, both of them also giving their attention 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



383 



and care for some time to buying and feeding 
stock. In August, 1861, Mr. Clark enlisted in 
tlie Fourteenth Oiiio Battery, and, immediately 
sent to the front, activel\^ participated in the de- 
cisive engagements of Ft. Donelson and Sliiloli, 
and was honorably discliarged from the service in 
1862, on account of severe illne.ss. In 1863 he 
came with his father to Iowa, and resumed the 
duties of agriculture. In 1871 our subject re- 
moved to Black Hawk County, and there engaged 
in farming, but in 1874 returned to Johnson 
Count}', making liis home once more in Cedar 
Township. In 1883, lie located with his family in 
Pleasant Valley, near Iowa City, but after four 
3-ears of absence, came again to Cedar Township, 
and upon May 20, 188'.), settled upon his present 
valuable homestead. 

Lorain Clark and Miss Harriet McCune, of Cedar 
Townsliip, were united in marriage August 27, 
18C;j. Mrs. Clark, an attractive and accomplished 
lad}', was born December 15, 1845, and was the 
daughter of John P. McCune, a native of New 
York, and born November 28, 1819. The paternal 
grandfather, William McCune, was of Irish nativ- 
ity, but, emigrating to America, made his home 
in the Empire State, where he became a leading 
agriculturist and died at sixty-five years of age. 
His son, John P., also a farmer, came to Johnson 
County, Iowa, in 1840, and entered Land in Big 
(irove Township, there remaining for sometime, 
and finally locating in Cedar Township, where he 
improved a fine farm. He died of heart di.sease, 
September 23, in his sixty-sixth year. He had 
most etliciently discharged the duties of a Justice 
of the Peace for several years, and was at one 
time one of the largest stock raisers and shippers 
in Johnson County, and, a man of enterprise, had 
also in the year 1877 started a cheese factory on 
his farm. John P. McCune was widely known and 
liighly respected as one of the resolute and ener- 
getic pioneers, who untiringl}- gave their earnest 
efforts in behalf of upward progress and improve- 
ments, and rapidly advanced the best interests of 
their home communities. 

The mother of Mrs. Clark, Mrs. Electa R. (Sut- 
liff) McCune, was born October 3, 1826, and, a 
devoied member of the Christian Church, passed 



away February 4, 1892, in the assured hope of a 
blessed immortality. She was the mother of 
twelve children, seven of whom are yet living and 
numbered among the useful and influential resi- 
dents of their various localities. The pleasant 
home of Mr. and Mrs. Clark has been blessed b}' 
the birth of four children: John L., born August 
11, 1866; Gertrude J., born .January 13, 1868; 
Austin M., born Marcli 25, 1870; and Helen M.,born 
July 14, 1889. The elder children all enjoyed 
excellent educational advantages. Mrs. Clark is a 
member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and 
has ever been active in social and benevolent en- 
terprise. Our subject has, aside from the culture 
of grain and other products, prosperously engaged 
in stock-raising, handling profitabl}' both cattle and 
hogs. Politically, Mr. Clark is a stalwart Republi- 
can, and takes a deep interest in local and national 
issues. He is a worthy member of the Grand Army 
of the Republic, and within and without this order 
is widelj' known and regarded as a liberal-spirited 
and progressive citizen. 



HARLES CARTER is an extensive real-es- 
tate owner, and is the owner and manager 
of a large brick and tile manufactory one 
mile north of Marengo. He is a native of Athens 
Count}', Ohio, where he was born March 19, 1837, 
his father, Charles Carter, being a native of Penn- 
S3'lvania. He afterward settled in Athens Count}-, 
Ohio, where he lived for some years, then settled 
in Delaware County, Ind., where he still makes his 
home. He has been a grist and saw miller all his 
life, and is now in good circumstances, and in his 
old age enjoys a comfortable competency. He has 
now attained to the advanced age of eighty-three 
years, having been born February 26, 1810. He 
was united in marriage with Miss Mary Wiley, a 
native of the Buckeye State, who died at the age 
of fifty-five years, after presenting him with eight 
children. She was a member of the Baptist Church, 
a worthy woman in every resj^eel, and was a kind 



384 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



and faithful wife and mother. The fatlier has al- 
ways been a Democrat, and at every opportunity 
exercises his right of franchise in tlie interests of 
liis party. The paternal grandfather, George Car- 
ter, was of Scotch extraction, and b3' occupation 
was an iron worker and mechanic. 

Charles Carter, tlie suliject of this sketch, was 
the tiiird of his parents' children, and when eight 
3ears old removed with them to Indiana, his early 
life being spent there on a farm, and his education 
being obtained in the old-time log schoolhouse, 
of which the present generation know nothing. As 
was the rule in those da^'S the room was heated 
with the old-fashioned fireplace, with huge buck- 
eye back-logs, and for window lights greased paper 
was used. The school was conducted on the sub- 
scription plan, and the teacher "boarded 'round." 
At the .age of twelve years Charles entered his 
father's mill for the purpose of learning the trade, 
an occupation to which he gave his attention in 
the vicinity of Muncie until he was twenty-eight 
j'cars of age. December 10, 1862, he was married 
to Miss E. Titler, who was born in Seneca County, 
Ohio, and to their union three children were given: 
Mollie A. (Mrs. Dolson), Rosie O. .and Charles C. 
Shortly .after the celebration of his nuptials Mr. 
Carter came to Iowa County, and purchasing a 
tr.actof wild land engaged in farming, after erecting 
thereon a comfortable dwelling-liouse. In 1859 he 
had crossed the plains to California, wliere he was 
engaged in prospecting for one \'car, after which he 
returned to his home via the Isthmus of Panama. 
The years of 1879, 1880 and 1881 he spent in 
Leadville, Colo., engaged in mining and other 
pursuits, and still has mining interests there. He 
has an excellent farm of Ave iiundred and sixty- 
seven acres in the vicinity of Marengo, besides 
lands in other places, amounting to eight hundred 
and eiglity acres, all told, all of wiiich are under 
fence. He raises a considerable amount of stock 
each ye.ar, and rents some land, but generally su- 
perintends the farming himself, and this, in con- 
nection with his other interests, makes liini a very 
busy man. 

In 1867 he began the manufacture of brick on a 
small scale, and his business has slowly but surely 
increased, until he now has a very laige and valu- 



able plant, and manufactures on an average one 
million brick per year, and immense quantities of 
from two-inch to twelve-inch tile, the quality of 
which is excellent, and the demand for the same 
constantly increasing. In former years he was 
quite extensively engiiged in hu^-ing and shipping 
cattle and hogs to Chicago, but of late years has 
not given this enterprise so much of his attention, 
finding other occupations more profitable. His 
career has been one of well-merited success, for 
when starting out for himself he had but little 
means, but through hard work, prudence and good 
management he has .accumulated a propertj' of 
which anyone might be proud, and he has the sat- 
isfaction of knowing that it has been honorably 
olitained. He is a People's Party man in politics, 
has been a member of the County Board of Super- 
visors for a number of years, and in various other 
ways has manifested great interest in the affairs of 
his section. He is an honored member of Marengo 
Lodge, A. F. * A. M. 



^^,_^^^^^._,^ 



OIIN R. DUFFUS. Among the sturdy far- 
mers and stock-raisers of Poweshiek County 
is our subject, who has a fine farm of one 
hundred and eighty-five acres, situated on 
section 4, Scott Township. He was born in Alier- 
deenshire, Scotland, February 23, 1854, but was a 
little less than a year old when his parents removed 
to New York. After going to Ohio, where they 
resided for about six months, they came to this 
county, where the father bought land at $1.25 per 
acre of the Government. Until reaching his major- 
ity, our subject remained on the homestead witli his 
parents, obtaining a common-school education in 
the district. His father, Alexander Duff us, and his 
wife, whose maiden.^ name was Elizabeth Hender- 
son, were both natives of the same land, where the 
former eng.aged in farming. Of his eight children 
six were sons, they being Alexander, George, 
William, Gordon. Albert and John. The daughters 
were Elizabeth and Mary. The eldest, Alexander, 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPinCAL RECORD. 



385 



is married and a farmer in Warren Township; 
George, also married, is engaged in the hardware 
business at IMalcom; AV^illiam is now farming in 
Malcom Township; Gordon is engaged in agricul- 
tural pursuits in Pleasant Township, and Albert is 
a member of the firm of Uuffus it Son, grain and 
coal dealers at Malcom, the father being senior 
member of the firm. The daughters are unmarried 
and living with their parents. • 

December 24, 1876, our subject was joined in 
marriage with Jennie Shearer, to whom have been 
born three children, Gu^- E., Clifford D. and John 
T. Mrs. Duffus' father was James Shearer, a na- 
tive of Scotland, who came to this count}' in 1871, 
locating in Pleasant Township on a farm. His 
family comprises two sons and seven daughters: 
William, who lives in Wright County and is a 
farmer; James, a resident of Goldfield Township, 
Wright Count}', where he is engaged in the dry- 
goods business; and Eliza, Mary, Helen, Joanna, Iza 
and Margaret. 

When of age, Mr. Duffus of this sketch began 
for himself, buying a farm, for which he [)aid $30 
an acre and on which he still makes his home. He 
has made many improvements and greatly de- 
veloped the place, which is now considered worth 
about ^50 an acre. Mr. Duffus is a member of 
Poweshiek Lodge No. 198,K. P., of Brooklyn, and 
religiously, is a member of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church, to which his wife also belongs. In politics 
he is a Republican and for some time served as 
School Director. He is greath' respected and 
esteemed in this vicinity for his manly ([ualilies 
and upright life. 



^^ii-^-i^l 



f?F; C. McGlU>, our subject, is a man of 
111 great public s()irit. whose intelligence 
(a aptly qualities him to take a leading part 
.^f, in his communit}'. He is Cashier of the 

Savings Bank of Montezuma, Poveshiek County, 
Iowa, and his wide acquaintance, with his per- 
sonal popularity and his apt business niotliods, 



have combined to greatly advance the institution 
financially and in popular estimation. Mr. Mc- 
Gill was born in Carroll County, Ohio, near Car- 
rollton. May 21, 1854, being the son of Hugh Mc- 
Gill, a native of Washington County, Pa., and 
he being the son of John McGill, also a native of 
Pennsylvania, whose parents came from the North 
of Ireland and were United Presbyterians. John 
McGill was a cabinet-maker in Washington County, 
Pa., in which county he ended his d.ays. Hugh 
McGill, the father of our subject, was a physician 
and surgeon, being a graduate in medicine, who 
located in Stark County, Ohio, just after receiv- 
ing his diploma, but soon went to a point near 
Carrollton, where he settled upon a farm, and 
while practicing his profession opened a farm. He 
improved and cultivated it until 187.5, when he 
located at Wellsville, Ohio, where he now lives, 
having retired from practice about the year 1885. 
In politics he is a Republican, having given that 
party his fealty since its foundation. 

The mother of our subject, Rachel (Huston) 
McGill, was born in Washington Count}', I'a., 
being the daughter of John Huston, a farmer, a 
soldier in the War of 1812, ajid an early settler of 
Carroll County, Ohio, being of Scotch and Ger- 
man descent. She died in Carroll County in 
the 3ear 1856, having been the mother vi ten 
children, seven of. whom are now living, our 
subject being the 3'oungest. Two of the broth- 
ers were in the Civil War: Capt. John S. in 
the Fifteenth Regiment of West Virginia from 
the beginning to the close of the war , now a 
real-estate de.alor at Canton, Kan.; and William 
W., who was in the Eighteenth Ohio Regiment 
from 1861 to 1864, three full years. 

Our subject was reared upon a farm and re- 
ceived a training in the common schools, after- 
ward attending Ilopedale Academy, near Cadiz, 
Ohio. He then was a student for two and a-half 
3'ears at Harlem Springs College, alwa3S standing at 
the head of his class in mathematics, after which he 
taught three winter terms of school and spent the 
summers in the stock business. He made a num- 
ber of trips across the Alleghany Mountains with 
cattle, driving all the wa3-, but not being satisfied 
witli the business and alwavs desirous of irainini; a 



386 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRArHICAL RECORD. 



more thorough education, lie again dropped busi- 
ness for the time being and attended Duff's Busi- 
ness College, of Pittsburgh, I'a., and graduated 
from this institution in 1880. 

Our subject came to Iowa in 1881 and settled 
in Montezuma in February, where he formed a 
partnership and entered the mercantile business 
with E. C. Lee, under the firm name of McGill 
it Lee. Remaining in this business but. eight- 
een months, he sold his interest and then pur- 
chased the abstract books of Robison & McKee, in 
partnership with John McCandless. About the 
same time he erected a brick store and office 
building, a two-story structure, in which he car- 
ried on the abstract, loan and insurance business, 
all of the interests doing very well, but his chief 
interests being in loaning and real estate. After 
remaining in this business for ten years, in the 
fall of 1891 he disposed of his interest to his 
jjartner, and at the same time assisted in the or- 
ganization of the Montezuma Savings Bank, and 
was elected its Cashier. The building was erected 
and the bank organized iu February, 1892, with 
a cai)ital stock of ^15,000, while now (December, 
1892) the deposits amount to about %75,<)00. A 
regular banking business is conducted, and Mr. 
McGill's previous exerience with similar institu- 
tions serves him in good stead. Its President is 
Capt. J. W. Carr; Vice-president, Dr. W. E. West; 
and Cashier, A. C. McGill, our subject. Mr. Mc- 
Gill has an interest in the post-office building ad- 
joining the bank, and still carries on the real- 
estate business. He owns four hundred and eighty 
acres of improved land three or four miles outside 
the city, and also owns land in Buena Vista County, 
Iowa. 

Our subject was married in Allegheny County, 
Pa., in May, 1881, to Miss Margaret E. McCand- 
less, a native of that county. Mr. and Mrs. Mc- 
Gill arc the parents of three children, viz: Arthur 
C, Helen M. and Mary T. Mr. McGill is a mem- 
ber of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and 
of Lodge No. 274, K. of P. During the past four 
years he has been the Superintendent of the Sun- 
day-school of the Presln'terian Church, of which 
latter body he holds the office of Ruling Elder, 
and is an active and useful member. His prom- 



inence in the Re|)ublican party is an earnest of 
his influence and usefulness in that organization, 
lie was Secretary and Treasuier of the Republican 
Central Committee during the past two 3'ears. 
Mr. McGill was Justice of the Peace eight years, 
resigning that office when he became Cashier of 
the bank. 



~°?j) ■ 



Vf / OIIN MOLER, our subject, is a very gener- 
ous and public-spirited citizen of Monte- 
j^ I zuma, Iowa, who is engaged in the lumber 
^^f' and grain business in this place. His pleas- 
ant and agreeable manners and accommodating 
spirit, with his upright dealings and thorough 
knowledge of business, have combined to bring 
him in a very profitable trade and to make for 
him hosts of friends. He was born in Adams 
County, Ohio, November 17, 1847, a son of Rev. 
Andrew Moler, born in Highland County, Ohio, 
June 13, 1824. The latter's father, the grandfather 
of our subject. Rev. John Moler, was born in Nicho- 
las County, Ky.. April 8, 1796, and removed from 
there with his parents to Highland County, Ohio. 
His entire life was devoted to the ministry' of the 
German Baptist Church, in which he was very- 
prominent. In addition to his ministerial duties, 
the grandfather pursued an agricultural life until 
his death, which latter event occurred in 1857. 

The Rev. Joseph Moler, the great-grandfather 
of our subject, emigrated fiom Germany with his 
parents in 1747, landing at Philadelphia, and set- 
tling at Georgetown, where he remained until the 
opening of the Revolutionary War, through which 
he served. This left him in Georgia, and from 
there he went to Kentucky, thence to Highland 
Count}', Ohio, where lie died at ninety years of 
age. 

The father of our subject followed in the foot- 
steps of his revered father and grandfather, and 
became a minister in the same church — the German 
Baptist. Highland County was his home until 
1853, when he removed to Indiana, settling in Jay 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



387 



County, where lie remained, pursuing his sacred 
calling, until 1861, at which time he returned to 
Ohio, and resided in Clermont County until 1864, 
when he emigrated to Keokuk County, Iowa, and 
located on a farm near South Englisli, pursuing 
farming and serving in his ministerial capacity 
whenever opportunity offered. The Moler fam- 
ily being of German descent, the representatives 
of the name have many of the sterling traits of 
character of that race. 

The mother of our subject, Martha A. Phillips, 
was born in Ohio, December 13, 1827, a daughter 
of Asa F. Phillips, born in Maryland, and an early 
settler of Ohio. lie followed farming in the latter 
State until he removed to Indiana, in 1851. The 
Methodist Church has in him a faithful and con- 
sistent member. He is still living, having attained 
the venerable age of eighty-nine j'ears. Seven 
children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Moler, Sr., 
five of whom are still living,all boys, and of these 
children our subject is the eldest. 

Our subject was reared on farms in Ohio and 
Indiana, and in 1864 removed to Iowa with his 
father, where he engaged in aiding the latter to 
improve a farm, remaining with him until twenty- 
two. Mr. Moler was married in 1 869 to Miss 
Nancy M. Myers, a native of Virginia, a daughter 
of Christian Myers, an early settler in Iowa Coun- 
ty, who engaged in farming there for many years. 
Three children have been born of the union of our 
subject and his wife, namely: Elizabeth. a gradu- 
ate of Montezuma High School, who is now attend- 
ing Mt. Pleasant University, Cora and .Jennie. 

In 1869 he located in Pilot Township, Iowa 
Count}', where he bought new land and improved 
one hundred acres of it. Here he continued farm- 
ing until 1881, when he located in Kinross and 
engaged in the lumber business, under the firm 
name of John Moler & Co. The following year he 
removed to Montezuma and engaged in the giain 
and lumber business. He purchased his present 
site, where he built yards and an elevator, under 
the firm name of Moler & Co., which was changed 
tb Moler ifc Clark upon the taking into business 
of M. J. Clark. The elevator and cribs, with a 
capacity of forty thousand bushels, are situated on 
the Burlington, Cedar Rapids A' Northern Kail- 



road, over which they ship their grain. He 
also deals in everything that goes into the con- 
struction of a home. 

In addition to his other business interests, Mr. 
Moler is a stockholder in the Savings Bank of 
Montezuma, and in the electric light plant, and 
is a member of the firm of James Sturgeon & Co., of 
Clarion, Iowa, lumber dealers. .Socially he is con- 
nected with the Odd Fellows and the Encampment; 
also with the Iowa Legion of Honor, of which he has 
been Secretary' and Treasurer for ten years. The 
Methodist Church has made him one of its Trus- 
tees and he has proved himself worthy of the honor 
conferred upon him by his fellow-members. Politi- 
cally the teachings and platform of the Republi- 
can party conform to his views and he conse- 
quently supports that organization whenever o|i- 
portunity offers. 



l^^^ 



y^RANGE F. DORRANCE. Soon after the 
I I' "'^' ^'"^ gentleman of whom we write set- 
^^' tied in Brooklyn and engaged in general 
mercantile business, which he followed until 1881. 
He then embarked in banking, serving as Cashier 
in the Poweshiek County Bank, which was organ- 
ized about 1875 b}' W.W.Lyons. In the cai)acity 
of Cashier, Mr. Dorrance served until the spring 
of 1892, when he was honored by being made 
President of the concern. He is a leading Mason, 
having belonged to that fraternity since attaining 
his majority, and has served his fellow-citizens as 
Mayor. He is a thoroughly representative man 
and has always shown that he has the welfare of 
this locality thoroughly at heart, endeavoring in 
ever}' way possible to promote its best interests. 
In Stark County, 111., the birth of our subject 
occurred August 28, 1838. He is a son of Lemuel 
S. and Mahala (Fuller) Dorrance, who were both 
natives of AVestmoreland County, Pa., and some 
six years previous to our subject's birth removed 
to Stark Count}', where Mr. Dorrance, Sr., entered 
a section or more of land and devoted himself 



388 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



from that time oii to its cultivation and improve- 
ment. In 1849, becoming imbued with the pre- 
vailing California "gold fever," he started West- 
ward, dying the following winter. He was a 
stanch Whig, politically, and had acted as County 
Commissioner. He left a wife and five children 
to mourn his loss. In order of birth the latter 
were as follows: Susan, Henry 1). (now deceased), 
Oiange F., Martha and James. Some years after 
Mrs. Dorrance married Freeman Bessett, who has 
also since departed this life. She is now a widow 
and has reached her seventy-ninth year. Her last 
marriage was in 1867 and soon after she removed 
to Texas with her husband, locating neai Sherman. 
For the past eight or ten years she has lived in 
Indian Territory. Her father, Orange Fuller, was a 
merchant in Pennsylvania, in wliich State he serveti 
at one time as Justice of the Peace. About 1836, 
he removed to Illinois, being numbered among the 
early settlers of Stark County, where he depaited 
this life on August 30, 1838. In politics, he was 
a Whig, and was married in Pennsylvania to Ilep- 
sibah Monroe, who also died in Illinois, and who 
reared a family of six sons and one daugiiter, onlj' 
four of whom are yet living. 

Orange Dorrance received a common-school edu- 
cation, also attended the Toulon Seminary, and 
graduated from the law department of the Chi- 
cago University in 1861. The same year he re- 
moved to Montezuma, in this county, where he en- 
gaged in practice for altout one year. Before leav- 
ing Chicago, he had enlisted for the three-months 
service, but was not accepted, as the quota was 
complete. In July, 1862, he again enlisted, becom- 
ing a member of Company C, Twent3'-eighth Iowa 
Infantry; he participated with bis regiment in the 
battle of Sabine Cross Roads and served through 
the Vieksburg campaign. Most of this time he 
was in the Quartermaster's service and at the bat- 
tle of Sabine Cross Roads was wounded in the left 
thigh. He was sent to the hospital at New Orleans, 
and though he recovered he still carries tlie l)all 
as a memento of the troublous times of the war. 
At the siege of Vieksburg he received commenda- 
tion for his meritorious service, and on July 1, 
1863, was commissioned Second Lieutenant. De- 
cembei 27, 1864, he was raised to the rank of First 



Lieutenant, and in 1865 was mustered out as a 
Captain. The year before he was appointed Judge 
Advocate at Madisonville, La., and in July of the 
same year was sent with Sheridan on the Virginia 
Campaign, participating in all the engagements of 
the regiment. His last service was in Geoigia, and 
in August, 1865, he was ordered home from Sav- 
annah, being mustered out at Davenport in the 
same month. 

In 1865 Mr. Dorrance was united in marriage 
with Miss Addie Hicks, who died on August 26, 
1866. Some time after our subject married Fan- 
nie, daughter of Dr. John and Mary E. (Cunning) 
Conaway. To Mr. and Mrs. Dorrance have been 
born six children, who are as follows: Eva, wife of 
Charles T. Painsburg; Mamie, Florence, Ada, Nina 
and Freeman. Tlie parents are active members 
and workers in the Methodist Episcopal Church of 
Brooklyn and are always found first in all benev- 
olences. In everything pertaining to county and 
local affairs Mr. Dorrance is much concerned and 
is considered quite a leader in political circles, as 
he is a stanch supporter of the Republican party. 
His record in the defense of the Union is one of 
which any soldier might well be proud, and as a 
private citizen he equally merits commendation, 
as he is one who warmly advocates educational 
and all other measures which promote the welfare 
of the countiy. As a business man he has always 
been found honorable and upright in all his deal- 
ings with his fellow-men, and thus he has won the 
entire confidence and respect of all. 



/p^ EORGE 
III (— -, stock-rai 
^%jl( shiek Cc 



^^ EORGE BUCHENAU,a leading farmer and 
raiser of Siieridan Township, Powe- 
/Ounty, his farm being situated on 
section 32, makes a specialty of breeding fine Ox- 
ford and Shropshire sheep. He was born near Bos- 
ton, Mass., October 22, 1848, and when eight 
years of age removed with his parents to Hartford, 
a place near Milwaukee, Wis. His father, George 
Buchenau, was a native of Germany, where he was 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



391 



an extensive farmer, and in 1840 crossed the At- 
lantic, landing in New York City, where for some 
time he worked as a laborer. In New Jersey, near 
the town of Hampshire, he was united in marriage 
with Christina Houmell, and to them were born the 
following children: Elizabetli, who married John 
Robinson, and lives in Wisconsin; Ludwig, a far- 
mer in Custer County, Neb., and also the owner 
of a hardware stock in Westerville, Neb.; Henry, 
engaged in farming in Chester Township of this 
county; Ciiarles, the youngest of the family, also 
engaged in farming in Chester Township; and 
Lewis, farming in Nebraska. 

After living in Hartford, Wis., for some years, 
Mr. Buchenau removed to Portage City, in the 
same State, near which point he engaged in farming 
in connection with his father. In November, 1859, 
he came to this county, and purchased land, pay- 
ing $5 an acre for property which is now worth 
from $40 to $60 an acre, on account of the natural 
rise in prices, and largely owing to tlie many val- 
uable improvements he has placed upon the farm. 
His place comprises four hundred and fifteen acres, 
upon which are a comfortable house and substantial 
farm buildings. As an agriculturist our subject 
has been very successful from the first, and is 
among the enterprising and progressive farmers of 
the county. He has literally carved out his own 
fortune, by the exercise of his native characteristics 
of untiring energy and well-directed industry. For 
over three decades he has been prominently con- 
nected with the best interests of the community, 
and ranks among tlic honored early settlers who 
have done so much to place this county among the 
best in the State. 

April 5, 1871, Mr. Buchenau married Miss Mary 
Shultz, and to them have been born three sons and 
two daughters, who have received the best of school 
advantages, thus fitting them for the active du- 
ties of life. They are Henry, Theodore, Lewis, 
Caroline and Annie. Mrs. Buchenau 's father, 
Christian Shultz, who was a native of Germany, 
had a family of four children, three sons .and a 
daughter. Two of the sons, Ludwig and Carl, are 
well-known farmers in Iowa, the former in Jasper 
County, and the latter residing in Malcom Town- 
ship. 

18 



In his political belief Mr. Buchenau is a stanch 
supporter of the Democratic party, and is much in- 
terested in its success. He has always supported 
all measures which have for their aim the welfare 
and advancement of his fellow-men, and the best 
interests of this section of the country. He is a 
representative citizen, and has a wide circle of 
friends and acquaintances, who iiold him in the 
highest regard. 



MOS R. CHERRY is the popular Auditor 
of Johnson County, his home being in 
Iowa City. He was born in Washington 
County, N. Y., August 24, 1840, and when 
only sixteen years of age came to Iowa with his 
parents, who located in Johnson County, on sec- 
tion 9, Lincoln Township, which property he now 
owns and manages. Since the spring of 1857 lie 
has passed his life in this locality, with the ex- 
ception of three years spent in the service of his 
country. 

Our subject's parents, Thomas W. and Lucinda 
(Robinson) Cheny, were both born and reared to 
adultyeaisin New York. Thomas W. was one of six 
children born to James Cherry and wife, who were 
both natives of Scotland, where their marriage 
was celebrated. On the maternal side the grand- 
father of our subject, Amos Robinson, who was 
born in the Empire State and was of Dutch de- 
scent, did gallant service in the War of 1812. 

Mr. Cherry, whose name heads this sketch, is the 
younger of two sons. His brother James died in 
Johnson Count}', in August, 1892, leaving a fam- 
ily of three sons and one daughter. Our subject 
enlisted in Company B, Fourteenth Iowa Infantry, 
and served for three years in the Indian conflict, 
being transferred in the spring of 1863 to the Sev- 
enth Iowa Cavaliy, and remaining in the same or- 
ganization. He returned to his home in the fall 
of 1864, after having seen much hard service, in 
which he nobly bore his part. In 1867 occurred 



392 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



liis marriage with Miss Minnie MeClellan, who was 
born in Michigan, where she received a superior 
education. Their union was blessed witli two 
cliildren, a sou and a daughter: Louie, wife of 
David ^V. Ohl, a resident of Cedar County; and 
Eugene, who resides in Iowa City. 

Until 1882 Mr. Cherry was aftiliated with the 
Republican party, but since that time has become a 
supporter of the Democracy. He is a member of the 
Independent Order of Odd Fellows of Iowa City, 
of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, the 
Iowa Legion of Honor and of the Grand Array of 
the Republic. Since he has been elected to his 
present important position, November 8, 1892, he 
has carried on the duties of that office to the full 
satisfaction of his constituents, and has shown 
great ability' and marked fidelity to the trusts re- 
posed in him. He has been a witness of the vast 
changes in this county and portion of the State, 
for on his arrival in tliis section the prairie was 
but little better than a wilderness, with few settle- 
ments and little indications of the rapid strides 
which it was soon to make toward civilization and 
advancement. 



m 



■^jOHN M. HOFFMAN, an able, energetic and 
prominent citizen of Johnson County, Iowa, 
whose valuable farm is located upon section 
' 15, Graham Township, is one of the pros- 
lierous representative agriculturists of the State 
and has with efficient service occupied many of 
the most important official positions in his town- 
ship. Born in France March 15, 1836, our subject 
was but ten years of age when he came with his 
parents to Johnson County, and since that time, a 
period of about forty-seven years, has been an eye- 
witness of the growth and progress of the State and 
county, and has materially assisted in the promo- 
tion of local improvements and enterprise. The 
parents of our subject, Michael and Anna (Welch) 
Hoffman, were both natives of France, the mother 



having been born in a portion of the country 
since ceded to the German Empire. The worthy 
father and mother emigrated to America with 
their children in about 1840, and located in 
Monroe County, Ohio, where they remained until 
the spring of 1816, when they came to Johnson 
County, and spending a brief time in Iowa City, 
afterward settled in Newport Township, where the 
father died upon August 7 of the same year. 

The mother, continuing her residence in Newport 
Township, survived her husband almost forty-five 
years, passing away February 14, 1 89 1 , at the age of 
eighty-eight 3ears, ten months and fourteen days. 
She was the mother of seven sons and daughters, 
John M. being the third child of the family. He 
attended the district schools of his home neighbor- 
hood, and attained to manhood in Newport Town- 
ship, in which part of Johnson County he lived 
until 18G5. While yet a resident of Newport 
Township, Mr. Hoffman was married, M.ay 20, 1860, 
to Miss Sarah Ilenyan, daughter of Bradford and 
Mary A. (Costley) Henyan, who were born in 
Pennsylvania, but came to Iowa when very 3'Oung 
and were married in Muscatine County, which 
they made their first home, afterward locating in 
Iowa City, and removing thence to Newport 
Township, where the father died in the latter part 
of the '70s. The mother yet survives. Mrs. Hen- 
yan was the mother of twelve children, of whom 
Mrs. Hoffman was the third in order of birth, and 
was born in Newport Township, December 4, 1842. 
In 1865 Mr. and Mrs. Hoffman removed to Graham 
Township, and have resided here continuously 
ever since. Our subject has been prospered, and 
aside from his valuable farming proi)erty of two 
hundred and seventy acres of finely improved land 
owns excellent timl)er land, some of the best in the 
State. 

The pleasant home of our subject and his highly 
esteemed wife has been brightened b}' tiie pres- 
ence of seven children, one of whom passed away 
in early infancy. The surviving sons and daugh- 
ters are Emma C, the wife of William Cisne; Mol- 
lie E., the wife of John Rennholz; Anna IL; Ora 
C, who married Maggie Noonan; Zena C; and 
Etfie M. These sons and daughters, who have en- 
joyed the educational advantages of the district 



POETRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



393 



schools of their home neighborhood, now worthily 
occupy excellent positions in life and are useful, 
industrious and law-abiding citizens, respected and 
honored by all who know them. Mr. Hoffman has 
devoted his life to agricultural duties, profitably' 
engaging in the tilling of the soil from his boy- 
hood. His home farm is attractively improved 
with excellent and commodious buildings, the fam- 
ily residence being a home-like dwelling, well ar- 
ranged and tastefully finished within and without. 
Everything about the thrifty homestead betokens 
the good care and wise management of the owner 
of the estate, who receives year after year most 
bounteous returns from the productive acreage. 
Our subject has, both as a township ollicial and as 
a private individual, exerted a wide influence in 
behalf of the advancement of the leading and 
most important interests of his neighborhood, and 
is recognized by the entire community among 
whom he has spent the greater portion of his busy 
life as a progressive and public-spirited citizen. 



^f 0SP:PII ZENISCHEK, an energetic and pros- 
perous general agriculturist and exten- 
sive stock-raiser of graded horses and cat- 
tle, is pleasantly located upon section 10, 
Cedar Township, Johnson County, Iowa, and 
owns one of the finest and most thriftily managed 
homesteads in this part of the State. A native of 
Bohemia, and born in southeastern Germany, in 
January, 1836, be is the son of Jacob and Annie 
Zenischek, also born in Bohemia, where the father 
was a teacher by profession. In 1854 the father, 
mother and their family emigrated to America, 
and .sailing from Havre, landed in Quebec forty 
d.ays after their departure from the Old Country. 
From Canada the family soon found their way to 
Iowa, where the father purchased land in Johnson 
County, and there farmed the rest of his life, 
passing away in 1872, in the seventy-eighth j-ear 
of his age. His good wife had ])reviously died, 
and both had lived devoutly true to the Catholic 



faith. They were the parents of six children, two 
of whom, being married, remained with their fami- 
lies in Bohemia. 

Our subject attended school in his native land 
until fourteen years of age, when he learned the 
tailors' trade, and worked afterward three 3'ears 
at the same in Iowa City. In 18.57 Mr. Zenischek 
came to Cedar Township, and farmed on the home 
place for several years, but is now residing upon 
his fourth farm. He first bought thirty-six acres, 
built a log-house and cultivated the land, and 
then, disposing of this property, he next purchased 
eighty-six acres; he improved this farm and gave 
it to his son, afterward buying one hundred and 
twenty acres in Cedar County, upon which he re- 
mained three years. In 1885, receiving an excel- 
lent offer for this land, he sold it and removed at 
once to a one hundred and fifteen acre farm in 
Cedar Township, which he has since made his per- 
manent home. About four years ago he added 
eighty acres to his original purchase, and in 1892 
annexed forty additional acres, now owning a 
homestead of two hundred and thirty-five acres, 
highly cultivated and improved with excellent 
barns and a commodious and attractive country 
residence. In the roomy barns are sheltered some 
of the finest stock in the .State, Mr. Zenischek be- 
ing a heavy feeder and shipper of cattle and 
widely known as a thorough fanner and [iractical 
business man. 

Joseph Zenischek and Miss Katie Kodal, a na- 
tive of Bohemia, were united in marriage in March, 
1859. The estimable wife of our subject came to 
America with a sister in 1856, but her venerable 
mother yet lives in Bohemia. The father, a suc- 
cessful farmer of his native land, is now deceased. 
Mr. and Mrs. Zenischek are the parents of five 
children, all occupying positions of usefulness and 
influence. George, the eldest son, is married and 
is a successful farmer of Cedar Township. Maggie 
is the wife of John Kalda, a well-known dealer in 
agricultural implements in Solon. Mary is the 
wife of John Iludachek, a prosperous agriculturist 
of Johnson County. Joseph and Annie are yet 
at home. Financially prospered, our subject and 
his wife are ever mindful of their religious duties, 
and like their ancestors are of the Catholic faith, 



394 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Politically Mr. Zenischek is a stanch Democrat, 
and a firm supporter of the party. An earnest 
man, upright in character, and as a citizen ener- 
getic, industrious and law-abiding, be has worthily 
won his upward way and enjoys the regard and 
high respect of the entire community by whom 
he is surrounded. 



!-#+^i 



i 



SAAC S. AVKEBER is an intelligent farmer, 
who keeps abreast of the times in the improve- 
ments and progress made in his calling, is well 
posted on the current to[)ics of the day, and con- 
verses with intelligence and judgment on leading 
subjects. His birth occurred in Crawford County, 
Ohio, February 26, 1841, his parents being Freder- 
ick and Regina (Frank) Weeber. The father was 
born in Baden, Germany, December 30, 1806, and 
the mother in Wurtemberg, but their marriage 
occurred in Medina County, Ohio. Frederick 
Weeber came to America with his uncle in 1825, 
and they settled in Crawford County, Ohio, but 
for some time after their arrival he worked by the 
month in the .State of New York and in Canada. 
After his marriage he came with his family to 
Johnson County, Iowa, by horse and wagon, cross- 
ing the Mississippi River on the ice. They reached 
tliis section in 1847, and until 1852 Mr. Weeber 
rented land, then entered and settled on a tract of 
his own, on which he still lives with his son, 
Isaac S. His marriage resulted in the birth of 
seven children, five of whom lived to mature 
years: Jacob J., Louisa D., Isaac S., William .1. 
and Mary F. Catherine and Rebecca died when 
young. The mother, who was an earnest and 
worthy member of the Lutheran Church, was called 
from this life November 4, 1868. The father lias 
attained to the advanced age of eiglity-six years, 
but although the frosts of many winters have 
whitened his hair, his memory siiows but little of 
the ravages of time. lie has always been a stanch 
supporter of the principles of Democracy. 

Isaac S. Weeber was the fourth-born of his par- 



ents' children, and ever since his seventh year has 
been a resident of his present farm. He obtained 
a practical education in the old log schoolhouse 
of his boyhood days, whicli had a puncheon floor, 
was supplied with slab seats and heated by a huge 
fireplace, and which was conducted on the sub- 
scription plan. He assisted his father in doing 
some marketing at Muscatine, but Iowa City after- 
wards became their principal place for doing busi- 
ness. When twenty-five years old he began his 
independent career as a farmer, and on December 
25, 1865, was united in the bonds of matrimony 
with Miss Jennie Clark, who was born in Canada, 
April 7, 1844. A family of eleven children was 
given to them: Nettie E., Lizzie R., Arthur F., 
Carrie M., William J., Minnie B., Annie P., Wal- 
ter I., George E., Mabel A. and Clark I. After his 
marriage Mr. Weeber continued to reside on his 
father's farm, lent his j'outh and strength to its 
development and improvement, and is now its 
owner. The place embraces two hundred and 
eighty acres of improved land in the home place, 
and a twenty-acre tract of timberland. His resi- 
dence is a handsome brick structure, erected in 
1874, at which time the old farm house was burned 
to the ground with all its contents, wliich belonged 
to the father. 

Mr. Weeber's attention is given to mixed farm- 
ing, for besides raising the usual grain products 
of the region, lie is extensively engaged in stock- 
raising and has three hundred and fifty head of 
fine Merino sheep, forty head of Devonshire cat- 
tle, and sixteen horses, principally of Norman and 
Belgian stock. He has some very fast trotters, in 
the raising of which class of horses he is deeply 
interested, and in which he has an excellent start. 
He raises large numbers of hogs each year. His 
farm is well adapted for stock purposes, for the 
land is well watered and abundantly supplied 
witli grass, and Mr. Weeber has shown his good 
judgment in devoting so much time to this branch 
of agriculture. He is a charter member of the 
Sharon Cheese Company, also one of its Directors, 
and for many ^-ears acted as Treasurer, but was 
compelled to resign the position, owing to the fact 
that his time was fully occupied with the duties 
of his extensive farm. 




t^v.i'^ 





■^y^ .f \y>. 



^'/^^< 



7 ■ 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



397 



Mrs. Weebcr is a member of the United Breth- 
ren Church in religion, and politically Mr. Weeber 
is a Democrat of pronounced views. For the past 
six years he has held the position of Township 
Clerk, has been a School Director for twelve years, 
and in the fall of 1890 was elected one of the five 
County Supervisors and has one j'car yet to serve. 
He is serving on several committees and at the 
present time is Chairman of the Court House Com- 
mittee. He is Secretary and Treasurer of the Mu- 
tual Insurance Company of Liberty, Sharon and 
Washington Townships, which company has been 
established since .Tuly 7, 1866, and is the second 
oldest in the State, and he has lield his position 
since 1 886. Ho has been a hard worker and an excel- 
lent manager, his labors have been crowned with 
flattering success, and he is now one of the 
wealth)' and substantial farmers of the count)'. 



RS. EDITH H. MARSH, our estimable sub- 
ject, who has resided at Grinnell, Iowa, 
la since October, 1854, was horn at Spring- 
field, Vt., June 15, 1815, being the daugh- 
ter of Daniel Hall, a native of Jeffrey, N. H., the 
latter a son of Nathan Hall, born in Connecticut. 
The grandfather w.is a farmer and early settler, and 
the father was a farmer, and was chosen a select- 
man. The latter died at the age of eighty-eight 
years. Mrs. Marsh's mother, Annie (Dutton) Hall, 
was born in Westmoreland County, N. II., being 
the daughter of Stephen Dutton, born in Chelms- 
ford, Mass., the last-named having been an hotel- 
keeper at Chester, Vt., who died at Rockingham, 
Vt. The mother of Mrs. Marsh died in Vermont, 
at the age of seveiit3'-eight. She was the mother 
of eight children, our subject being the sixth, and 
only two of them are living. 

Our subject was reared at Springfield, Vt., where 
she attended the common schools and afterward 
was a student in the Chester Academy for ladies. 
She was married at Hartford, March 29, 1842, to 
Levi Hazen Marsh, a native of Hartford or 



Quechee, Vt. He owned and operated the same 
farm that his father and grandfather had owned. 
He was asuccessful husbandman, and had a contract 
on the Vermont Eastern Central Railroad, which 
proved profitable. Mr. Marsh owned a woodland 
tract at Sharon, and engaged in the wood business; 
also set up a sawmill, and embarked in the lumber 
trade, continuing in the latter until 1852, when 
he went to Kenosha, Wis., and settled upon a farm. 
Then, in May, 1854, he reached Iowa and bought 
a farm in the present corporate limits of Grinnell, 
paying !i*2.10 per acre, the tract containing one 
hundred and twenty acres. 

ITpon this land the husband of our subject |>lan- 
ted eight acres in locust trees, from which he after- 
ward cut fence posts. The family reached Grin- 
nell October 6, 1854, and Mr. Marsh applied 
himself diligently, improving the land and buying 
more, continuing to buy and .sell land until his 
death, in Maj', 1886. At one time his widow had 
nine hundred acres. During his busy life he had 
a contract for one mile of construction of the 
Iowa Central Railroad, through the city of Grin- 
nell. The home of Mrs. Marsh has always been in 
Grinnell, during the lifetime of Mr. Marsh as well 
as since her widowhood. Their first home was 
the largest house in the place, except the hotel, 
and during the war they boarded recruits for the 
army. Mrs. Marsh owns one hundred and sixty 
acres in Jasper County, and three valuable resi- 
dences. She is the mother of five children, and is 
spending the evening of her life at Grinnell, where 
she has lived thirty-nine years, finding solace in her 
children and pleasure in the society of her many 
old friends, who hold her in highest esteem. 

Mrs. Mary E. Buck, the eldest child, resides in 
Jasper County, Iowa. George, the second, is a 
graduate of Iowa College, and holds the degrees of 
A. B. and A. M.; he graduated from the theological 
seminary at Chicago with the degree of B. L., 
then took a one-year course at Yale, from which he 
graduated, and h.as been located as a missionary in 
Bulgaria since 1872. Charles II., the third child, 
was educated at Iowa College, and is a farmer in 
Sugar Creek Township, where he has twelve hun- 
dred acres in one body; he is a stock dealer and a land 
speculator. Aliss Ella E., the fourth, is a graduate 



398 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



of Iowa College, of theClassof '68; she has taught 
in various parts of Iowa, and is quite prominent in 
missionary and the Woman's Christian Temperance 
Union work. Hammond 1^., the fiftli, is a grad- 
uate of Iowa College and of the Theological Insti- 
tute at Chicago, and pastor of the Congregational 
Church at Denmark, Iowa. Our subject is a use- 
ful and consistent member of the Congregational 
Church, in which two of her sons are most earnest 
and popular ministers. 



-^=^^>-^^<^ 



AMUEL BRANT, a leading agriculturist of 
Oxford Township, .Johnson Count_y, Iowa 
now successfully engaged in raising Clyde 
and Norman horses, has for many years 
occupied a position of influence in this locality, 
and is widely known and honored as a man of in- 
tegrity and ability, who, overcoming difficulties 
self-reliantly, has won his way to assured prosper- 
ity. Our subject was born in Somerset County, Pa., 
May 7, 1829, and is the son of Peter Brant, also a 
native of Somerset County and a prosperous 
farmer of the Quaker State. The paternal grand- 
father emigrated from Germany in an early day 
and located in Pennsj'lvania, where he reared his 
family to habits of industrious thrift. The mother 
of our subject, Elizabeth Myers, was of immediate 
German descent, her father having emigrated from 
Geimany and settled in Pennsylvania, which was 
her native State, her birthplace being Lebanon. 
Tlie father and mother of Samuel Brant were mar- 
lied in Somerset County and located upon a 
"Chestnut Ridge" farm, from which after a time 
they departed to make their liorae in Bedford 
Count}'. 

Removing in 18.31, the parents settled upon 
v.acant land not far from the town of Bedford, and 
there entered into pioneer experiences, the father 
having provided a shelter for his family by the 
erection of a little log house. After a residence 
of about twenty-three years in this part of tlie 
State, and having with persistent and unremitting 



industry' and hard work brought the farm up to a 
high state of cultivation. Father Brant finally de- 
cided to go West. He had now passed middle life, 
but in 1854, coming direct to Johnson County, he 
located in North Liberty, where he remained until 
his death, at sixty-six years of age. The mother, 
surviving, resided in Clear Creek Township and 
was eighty-six years old when she, too, passed away. 
Peter Brant and his estimable wife had been the 
parents of sixteen children, ten of whom lived to 
years of maturity, and five of the family 3'et sur- 
vive. The eldest son, John, is living in Clear Creek 
Township, and is eighty-two; Peter J. is also a 
resident of Clear Creek Township; Harriet is the 
widow of John Whitmore; and Eliza is the wife of 
Squire L. Lawhead, of Champaign, 111. 

Our subject was the eleventh of the family and 
was reared in Bedford County, Pa., where he re- 
ceived but limited advantages for an education. 
At sixteen years of age he ambitiously and inde[)en- 
dentlj' began life for himself. Obtaining employ- 
ment upon a farm and working by the month, he 
carefully hoarded up his small income for future 
investment. In 1851 he was unvted in marriage 
with Miss Harriet Statler, born in the same State 
and county as her husband. Upon the 4th of July, 
1850, Mr. Brant left his first place of work and 
later located in Bedford County, working for 180 per 
year. During this time he cut his wood after nine 
o'clock at night. At the end of a twelvemonth he 
tried working by the day and received from twenty- 
five cents to half a dollar per da}'. In 1855 our 
subject came with his family to Johnson County, 
Iowa, and settled in Penn Township, where Mr. 
Brant resumed working by the day and continued 
thus emploj'ed for eleven }'ears, being constantly 
in the service of Francis Bowman, a yjioneer resi- 
dent of Johnson County. In 1866 the Brants re- 
moved to their present homestead, which since its 
purchase by our subject has been brought to a high 
state of cultivation and been well improved with 
substantial and commodious barns and dwelling. 
The pleasant home has been blessed by the birth of 
two daughters and two sons, highly respected res- 
idents of the immediate vicinity. Emeline, the 
eldest-born, is the wife of William Eddy, a pros- 
perous agriculturist of Oxford Township. Isr.ael 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



399 



tills the soil in Oxford Township. Josiah is also 
a farmer of Oxford Township. Annis is the wife 
of Benjamin F. C'haney, of Oxford Village. 

The valuable farm of Mr. Brant, containing one 
hundred and seveuty-three and one-half acres of 
excellent land, all of which, with the exception of 
twenty acres, has been cultivated by our subject, 
now annually' returns a harvest which amply re- 
pays the time and labor expended in former sea- 
sons. Years have passed since here in Johnson 
County Mr. Brant chopped wood for sixty cents a 
cord and cut rails for sixt3' cents per hundred, but 
the spirit of ambitious industrj'and determination 
to succeed in life is as strong as of yore and has 
been worthilj' transmitted to his descendants. In 
stock-raising our subject has found a ptofitable 
field and now has upon his homestead some espe- 
ci.ally fine sjiecimens of "Normans" and "Clydes." 

Politically, Mr. Brant is a Republican but, never 
aspiring to office, contents himself with supporting 
the candidate of his choice. Especiall}' interested 
in local improvements, he is foremost in doing his 
share in all things pertaining to the public welfare 
and is jusllj^ numbered among the substantial, self- 
respecting and public-spirited citizens of Oxford 
Township. 



•■=f^^ll"7'l"f^fl^#!#5 



ElDWARD BOAVERS was a representative 
general agriculturist, successful stock-raiser 
9 and prominent citizen of Scott Township, 
Johnson County, Iowa, and resided upon a valu- 
able and highly improved farm of one hundred 
and seventy-five acres located on section 2. For 
over thirty-five years he was intimately associated 
with the growth and progress of his immediate 
neighborhood and, an energetic and enterprising 
man, materially aided in local advancement, and 
was widel}' known and esteemed. Our subject 
was born in Yorkshire, England, May 10, 1818, 
and remained in the country of his nativity until 
1843, when he emigrated to America, and, .accom- 
panied by his father and mother, George and 



Anna (Cartwright) Bowers, located in Philadel- 
phia, Pa. The parents were born in Yorkshire, 
and lived constantly in Pennsylvania after their 
emigration thither until their death. They were 
earnest, intelligent and industrious people, anfl 
commanded the sincere resi)ect of their American 
friends and neighbors. 

Our subject h.ad enjo3'ed the advantages of in- 
struction in the home schools of Merrie England, 
and had engaged in weaving and other occup.a- 
tions in the Old Country. While in Philadelphia, 
he received employment in the factories, and, hav- 
ing been carefully trained in habits of industri- 
ous thrift, was prospered. May 10, 1854, Mr. Bow- 
ers was united in marriage with Miss Violet Ker- 
shaw, born in Lincolnshire, England, August 22, 
1835. This estimable lady, reared in her birth- 
place, an<l there attaining to attractive woman- 
hood, came to the United States in 1852, and made 
her home in the Quaker State. In 1858, our sub- 
ject and his wife and family came to Johnson 
County, Iowa, and settled in what is now known 
as Graham Township. They remained until early 
in the '70s in their first Iowa home, and then re- 
moved to their present homestead in Scott Town- 
ship. Since making his permanent residence with- 
in the borders of the State, Mr. Bowers devoted his 
time entirely to agricultural employment, and 
brought one hundred and sixty acres of his fine 
farm into cultivation, the crops annually yielding 
an abundant harvest. The improvements are sub- 
stantial and commodious, comprising a comfort- 
able country residence, good barns and outbuild- 
ings. 

Mr. and Mrs. Bowers were blessed with a goodly 
family of sons and daughters, of whom eight now 
survive: Ann, the eldest-born, is the wife of Frank 
Cole; Abel married Miss Libbie Merrill; Samuel 
married Miss Maggie Dingleberry; George is the 
husband of Mrs. Mar3' (Sharp) Bowers; John is 
single; Anna J. is the wife of Elton Wroe; Rob- 
ert and Martha are still at home. Our subject and 
his estimable wife buried three children, one of 
whom lived to the interesting age of seven years, 
the other two little ones passing away in earl^" in- 
fancy. The father of Mrs. Bowers was Samuel 
Kershaw, a native of Lincolnshire, England, who 



400 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



came witli his family in 1852 to America, where 
he settled with his wife and children in Philadel- 
phia, his home thenceforth until his death. Mrs. 
Kershaw was also born in Lincolnshire, England, 
and died in her Philadelphia home some j^ears af- 
ter her arrival in the United States. 

February 21, 1893, Mrs. Bowers and her chil- 
dren suffered an irreparable loss in the death of a 
loving husband and father. He had taken an 
abiding interest in tlie local and national govern- 
ment of public office, and was a progressive, intel- 
ligent and liberal man. Thoroughly appreciating 
tlie advantages of the benefits conferred b}- a 
Republican nation, he was a true American citizen, 
well worthy of the high regard and confidence 
bestowed upon him by the entire community of 
the county. Mrs. Bowers and her famil3' in tiieir 
various homes sustain social relations of useful- 
ness and influence in the several communities in 
which they reside, and are leading participants in 
matters of local enterprise and improvement. 



ENRY JOHNSON, a man of large natural 
); ability, has been one of the most successful 
fanners of AVashington Township and is 
numbered among the honored early settlers 
of Poweshiek Count}'. His birth occurred in Mont- 
gomery County, Ind., May 13,1847. His great- 
grandfather, Elijah .Johnson, was a native of the 
Old Dominion, in which State the family had set- 
tled in early Colonial days. He was a Quaker, an 
extensive farmer, and not believing in the institu- 
tion of slavery set his slaves free. His death oc- 
curred when he had reached the age of eighty-five 
years. The grandfather of our subject, Zachariah 
Johnson, also a native of Virginia, was likewise a 
farmer. His death occurred in his early manhood. 
His family comprised five children, four sons and 
a daughter. His wife survived him many years, 
living to the extreme old age of eighty-four years. 
Jervis Johnson, the father of our subject, was 
born in 1804 in Virginia and followed the trade of 



a hatter until nearly forty j'ears of age. In 1831 
he settled in Wayne County, Ind., but ten years 
later removed to Montgomery County, in the same 
State, where he lived for a like period of time. In 
1851, emigrating to Iowa, the journey being made 
in a wagon, he located in Jasper County. He en- 
tered Government land, a tract of one hundred 
and sixty acres, northeast of Linnville, and later 
entered the same number of acres acro.ss the line 
in this county. He improved the farm until called 
from his labors, November 20, 1882. His wife, who 
was in her girlhood Melissa L. Johnson, was born 
in Virginia in 1807, and by her marriage became 
the mother of four children, who lived to maturity, 
namely: Joseph, Albert, Charles and Henr}*. Her 
death occurred in 1887, when she had attained the 
age of four-score years. The father was a Repub- 
lican and a strong Abolitionist. Both he and his 
wife were members of the Society of Friends. The 
maternal grandfather of oui subject, Joseph John- 
son, of Virginia, was an extensive farmer at one 
time but met with reverses and died a poor man. 
Henry Johnson is the youngest in his father's 
family and at the time of the latter 's arrival in 
Iowa was only four years of age. He attended a 
log schoolhouse at Linnville, the floor of which 
was simply the hard ground, and the benches of 
rough slabs. In the primitive style the school was 
carried on by subscription and the teachers were 
obliged to "board 'round." October 20, 1869, Mr. 
Johnson and Melissa Charles were united in mar- 
riage. The latter was born in Hamilton County, 
Ind., October 19, 1845, and became a resident of 
Jefferson County, Iowa, in 1851. To our worthy 
subject and his estimable wife eight children have 
been born, who are as follows: Charlotte, Oliva, 
Jervis J., Warren T., Beulah, De Verne, Leland S. 
and Leah (twins). 

After his marriage, Mr. Johnson located in this 
county, buying his present farm and building 
thereon a large frame house in 1870. In 1889 he 
erected a commodious barn and has otherwise im- 
proved his place. His farm comprises four hun- 
dred and seventy-one acres, the boundaries of his 
possessions having been largely' increased since his 
original purchase of eighty acres. Though he car- 
ries on general fanning he is principally devoted 




• G^ 




^Ai-f^ 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



403 



to raising live stock, particularlj' cattle and liogs. 
As a farmer he lias shown unusual ability and is a 
good manager. 

For many generations past the .Johnson fam- 
ily have been members of the Friends* Church. 
For some time our subject was a member of the 
firm of .Johnson Bros. & Co., dealers in grain and 
lumber at five different stations oa Newton branch 
of the Central Railroad. In polities, he is a true 
ReiJublican. 



\ ^S=^- 



ENRY SPEIGHT, a prosperous and exten- 
sive agriculturist residing upon section 
13, Graham Township, Johnson County, 
Iowa, has been a citizen of the State for 
more than thirt3--(ive years, and is widely known 
as a man of high integrity and earnest purpose. 
He has filled with etlicient ability many of the local 
offices of the township, and, ever discharging the 
trusts reposed in him with fidelit}', has worthily 
won the esteem of the general public. Our subject 
was born in Yorkshire, England, December 14, 
1831, and there attained to man's estate. His prin- 
cipal occupation in the Old Countrj' w.as handling 
wool, in which business he engaged until his de- 
parture for America. Mr. Speight was united in 
marriage in Bradford, Yorkshire, England, with 
Miss Mary Sliaw, born in Yorkshire. 

Our subject and his estimable wife finally decided 
to emigrate to America, and, safely embarked with 
their belongings, were but a short time crossing 
the broad Atlantic. It was in 1857 that Mr. 
Speight, in the spring of the year, came to Johnson 
County, and settled in Sharon Township, where he 
entered into agricultural pursuits and continued 
upon a farm for eight years, when he removed to 
Iowa City. Here he made his home for three years, 
and then located about two miles northeast of 
Iowa City, remaining in this latter residence nine 
years. At the expiration of this time, he settled 
permanently in Graham Township, where he has 
since profitably devoted himself to the tilling of the 



fertile soil and also engaged in stock-raising. His 
fine farm of four hundred and eighty aeres,all well 
cultivated, annually yields an abundant harvest 
and is a valuable piece of property-, well improved 
with a good residence and excellent and substantial 
barns and outbuildings. 

The seven children who have brightened with 
their presence the pleasant home of our subject and 
his wife are James H., Sarah, Harrison, Frank,_Al- ' 
fred, Mary and Charles; one little one, a son, passed 
away in infancy in Iowa City. An able andener-: 
getic citizen, progressive in his ideas, Mr. Speight, 
has ever interested himself in local improvements-^... 
and enterprise, and has materially aided as an offi- -^ 
cial and as a private individual in the promotion 
and advancement of educational work. Occupy- 
ing with the various members of his family a posi- 
tion of usefulness and influence, he endeavors to 
do full justice to the advantages offered by his 
adopted country and is in word and deed a true 
American citizen. Mrs. Speight has been a mem- 
ber of the Congregational Church since she was fif- 
teen years of age and is active in good works, lib- 
erally aiding in the support and extension of the 
influence of that religious organization. In 1890, 
our subject relinquished a portion of the labor of 
management and supervision which had formerlj' 
occupied his days almost exclusively, and now al- 
lows himself a little more time for needed recrea- 
tion than he formerly enjoyed. He has already 
done his full share in the upbuilding of the town- 
ship, and maj- with pleasure review his past career, 
which is a record of the upward progress of an 
honorable, intelligent, industrious and self-reliant 
man. 



c*. fi" 



JOHN F. HANNAY, a representative pros- 
perous general agriculturist and successful 
stock-raiser, handling the best grades of 
cattle and hogs profitabl}-, is pleasantly' lo- 
cated on a magnificent farm of four hundred acres 
situated in Grinnell Township, Poweshiek County, 



404 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPmCAL RECORD. 



Iowa. Our subject, a man of ability, enterprise 
and excellent judgment, is well qualified to cope 
with the cares and responsibilities of farming life, 
and although comparatively but a brief time a 
resident of his present home, enjoys the respect 
and regard of a large circle of acquaintances. Mr. 
Hannay is a native of Dumfriesshire, Scotland, and 
was born in that country June 13,1835. His pa- 
ternal grandfather, Robert Hannay, a man of intel- 
ligence and worth, was a farmer in Old Scotia and 
there trained his namesake, the father of our sub- 
ject, into the daily duties of agricultural pursuits. 
Robert Hannay, the son, received an excellent 
common-school education and later completed a 
course of study in the College of Edinburgh, from 
which he was graduated with honor, and devoted 
the latter years of his career to teaching, preferring 
the vocation of an instructor to that of a tiller 
of the soil. 

Our subject p.assed the days of boj'hood in his na- 
tive land, and also enjoying superior educational 
advantages, followed the example of his good fa- 
ther and taught school a number of years in Scot- 
land. In 1862 John F. Hannay and Miss Margaret 
Rankin were united in marriage and continued to 
make their home amid the friends of their early 
days. Six children came one by one into their 
happy home, three daughters and three sons: Jessie 
was the eldest-born ; next in order of birth was 
Martha; Robert, the first son, named in honor of 
his paternal grandfather and great-grandfather, 
was the third child; James, Louisa and John G. 
are the youngest of the brothers and sisters and 
complete the list. As their little ones clustered 
about them and began to grow up to manhood and 
womanhood, our subject and his estimable wife re- 
solved for their sake and for the broader opportu- 
nities offered by America to emigrate with their 
family to a new home beyond the Atlantic. Safely 
reaching our hospitable shores, Mr. Hannay with his 
family came to Iowa and settled at once in Scott 
County, where they remained three years, then lo- 
cating in Poweshiek County, in which part of the 
State they have since continuously resided. 

Jn the mouth of March, 1890, our subject bought 
his present valuable acreage and, reaping an abun- 
dant harvest, feeds all or nearly all of the products 



of the land to the stock, which he fattens for mar- 
ket. Financially prospering, Mr. Hannay desires 
to share in all the privileges of the American citi- 
zen, but although he has already applied for his 
naturalization papers has not yet obtained them 
and cannot therefore at present ally himself with 
any political party. 

Our subject and his wife and children arc all 
members of the Congregational Church of Grinnell 
and have proved themselves important aids in the 
good work and social enterprises of that religious 
organization. John F. Hanna\' is the sole repre- 
sentative of his father's family' in America. His 
brother William is a teacher in Scotland, and his 
sister Jane married Thomas Kirkpatrick,with whom 
she continues to make her home in her native 
land. Far from the scenes of his 3'outh, yet not a 
stranger in a strange land, our subject has found 
a home rich in promise where his children, bright 
and intelligent young people, trained up to habits 
of thrifty industry and given the excellent educa- 
tion which the schools of Iowa afford, will later 
occupy the positions of usefulness and influence 
which but await their acceptance. Fully in accord 
with the institutions of our country, Mr. Hannay 
is now in heart and sentiment a true American 
citizen, and ere long will enjo3' the privilege of 
the ballot, casting his vote with intelligent judg- 
ment and upright conscientiousness. 



ellARLES D. CONAWAY, M. D. is one of 
the leading physicians and surgeons of the 
city of Brooklyn, having a large practice 
both in this place and the surrounding country. 
For forty years he has been active in the work of 
the Methodist Episcopal Church and has always 
been prominently connected with all charitable 
organizations in this localit}-, in fact with every 
movement calculated to promote and benefit his 
fellow-man. His birth occurred at Cadiz, Harrison 
County, Ohio, September 25, 1834, his parents be- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



405 



ing Cliarles and Frances (Arnold) Conaway. His 
paternal grandfatlier. whose given name was Mich- 
ael, was one of seven sons, and in company with a 
l)rother emigrated from his native Ireland to Amer- 
ica in the Colonial days, settling in Baltimore 
County, Md. He took part in the AVar for Inde- 
pendence, and about the year 1808 came West to 
Ohio, locating in Harrison County, where he entered 
and improved a farm on Little Stillwater Creek. 
He was a member of the Methodist Church, and a 
nephew of his, Charles Conaway, was the first min- 
ister of that denomination who ever crossed the 
Ohio River. The latter located at Marietta, Ohio, 
and was for many years a prominent minister in 
that part of the State, 

Charles Conaway, Sr., was born in Maryland in 
the year 1 796, and was one in a family of three sons 
and three daughters, the others being John; Mich- 
ael; Susan, who afterward became Mrs. Holland; 
Virginia, Mrs. Virchie;and Elizabeth, Mrs. Barnes. 
The two elder sons served in the War of 1812 
under Gen. Harrison. Mr. Conaway was reared on 
his father's farm and learned the trade of a carpen- 
ter. He engaged in farming in Harrison County, 
Ohio, until September, 1864, and then removed to 
Richland, where he lived until 1868, when he was 
called to his eternal rest. His wife, after surviving 
him only two years, also departed this life. She 
was born in Pennsylvania and was a daughter of 
Benjamin and Mary (Cullum) Arnold. The for- 
mer removed to Harrison County, Ohio, purchas- 
ing four hundred acres near the county seat, and 
was one of the earliest to locate in that region. 
After some time he went back to Pennsylvania to 
bring his family with him, but died before his re- 
turn. He was a veteran of the Revolutionary War, 
and after his death the widow and family sold the 
Pennsylvania home and proceeded to open up and 
improve the farm he had purchased in Ohio. 
There her death occured in 1849, at the age of 
ninety-three. She had always been active in the 
work of the Baptist Church and had struggled hard 
to rear her family and provide for their wants on 
the new farm in the wilderness. 

To Charles and Frances Conaway wore l)orn 
twelve children, all of whom lived to adult years. 
They are Benjamin, .John, Sophia, William, t^liza- 



beth, Michael, Mar}', Charles D., Rachael, Susan, 
Jennie F. and Enoch W. Michael served in the 
War of the Rebellion for four years, enlisting in 
the one hundred d.ays' service in an Ohio regiment, 
at the expiration of which time he re-enlisted as a 
member of Company F, Seventh Virginia Regi- 
ment, for four years' service, or during the war, 
serving part of the time under Sherman. Enoch 
W. entered the One Hundred and Twenty-eighth 
Ohio Infantry and w.as killed at Champion Mill, 
Ivy., in 1863, when under command of Gen. Buell. 

The Doctor, whose name heads tliis sketch, was 
early inured to farm life and in boyhood attended 
the common schools of tlie district. He was for 
two years at the Hopedale Norm.al, and later at- 
tended school at Ilayesville, after which he taught 
school for several years and was a teacher in the 
first school in Brooklyn after its incorporation. 
From his early years he had manifested a desire to 
adopt the medical profession, as his tastes were 
strongly in that direction. While attending school, 
and later when engaged in teaching, lie studied 
with this end in view, and during the winter of 
1868-69 he was a student at the Cincinnati 
Eclectic Medical Institute. In 1886 he attended 
the Bennett Medical College at Chicago, pursuing 
a post-graduate course, for he h.as ever m.ade it his 
great object and ambition to keep thoroughl}' 
abreast with the times in all the latest discoveries 
and methods used by the best physicians and sci- 
entists of the times. Since 1869 he has been en- 
gaged in practice in Brooklyn and is generally- 
known throughout this and the surrounding coun- 
ties. He is a member of the Independent Order of 
Odd Fellows, and is a Republican in politics. 

The Doctor has been twice married, the first 
time in August, 1858, to Miss Margaret McClin- 
tock, a daughter of Jonathan and Margaret (Cor- 
ruthers) McClintock, the former a farmer in Har- 
rison Count}'. Of this union were born three 
children, onl}' one of whom, John W., is now liv- 
ing. The wife and mother was called to her final 
abode April 25, 1865, dying in the faith of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church, to which she had be- 
longed for many years. In the year 1868 Miss 
Julia A. Busby, who was born in 1846, became the 
wife of our subject. She is a daughter of John 



406 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



and Ann (Meniman) Busby. To the Doctor and 
his wife have been born four children: Earl D., who 
died when three years of age. .Tennie I., who was 
born July 4, 1876, and died December 29, 1891; 
diaries B. Q.; and Dora A. As his father was be- 
fore him. Dr. Conaway is greatly interested in the 
work of the Methodist Church. The former was a 
member of the Methodist denomination from the 
age of fifteen years, and was a Class-leader and 
Steward for over half a century. 



'Sr^ ONALD MAC DONALD, the subject of 
lL#i( this sketch, is of Scotch descent. He resides 
^\V at Grinnell, Poweshiek County, Iowa, and 
'y^ was born at Alexandria, Glengarry County, 
Canada, October 28, 1832. Ronald Mac Donald, 
his father, was born at Inverness-shire, Scotland, 
wiience his father, Roderick, emigrated to America 
and settled near Alexandria, where he engaged in 
farming. The father of Roderick was Angus Mac 
Donald, a native of the same shire as his son, and 
descended from the old Celts, the male members of 
the family being fishers off the coast of Scotland. 
The father of our subject was engaged in the 
same occupation as his father before him as long 
as he resided in Scotland, he, with others, owning 
a fishing-smack. Emigrating to Canada, he first 
employed himself in teaching school and afterward 
was a merchant, dealing in general wares and lum- 
ber. In June, 1832, he died of cholera, while go- 
ing down the St. Lawrence River with a raft of 
squared timbers. The maternal grandfather of 
our subject was Donald Mac Donald a native 
of Inverness-shire, who was also eng.aged in the 
herring fisheries. Between 1807 and 1815 he 
was a soldier in the British army, continuing in 
that service until after the first abdication of Na- 
poleon and his exile to the island of Elba. .Tust 
after the battle of Leipsic he obtained a land 
grant, subsequent to his discharge, and later laid it 
in Glengarry County, Canada. He ended his long 



life in that county at the age of eighty years, dy- 
ing as he had lived, a member of the Roman Cath- 
olic Church. 

Helen Mac Donald, the mother of our subject, 
was born in Inverness-shire, and was the daughter 
of Donald M.ac Donald and the mother of five chil- 
dren, four boys and one girl, the sole care of whom 
devolved upon her at the death of her husband. 
Bravely she discharged the duty, bringing them 
up in Alexandria, in which place she subsequently 
died. JJut two of them are living, our subject, 
who was the youngest, and one other. At the age 
of seventeen, after attending the public schools of 
Canada, our subject entered the office of the Mont- 
real Transcript, owned by his uncle, Donald Mac 
Donald, in the capacity of a reporter. Two years 
later he engaged in newspaper work in Boston, and 
in 1853 was employed on Horace Greeley's New 
York Tribune, serving first in the counting-room 
of the latter and afterward as a reporter on that 
paper, as well as on the New York Commercial Ad- 
vertiser. In the early part of the war he went to 
the front as correspondent for the last-named news- 
paper, at which time he reported (in 1862) the 
operations of the Burnside expedition into North 
Carolina. 

Mr. Mac Donald then returned to Montreal, 
where he .again did reportorial work on the Tran- 
script and also on the Herald for three years, or un- 
til 1865. He was next employed as night editor on 
the Boston Daily Advei'tiser ior about two and one- 
half years, later was employed in New York City, 
in the office of the Commercial Advertiser, for a short 
time, and then became night editor of the New 
York Times, which position he held for ten years. 
He spent the winter of 1878-79 in Colorado and in 
the year last named came to Grinnell, where he 
became associated with the firm of Mac Donald, 
Snider & Co., dealers in drugs, books, stationery, 
etc., remaining in it four j'ears and then retiring 
from active business. 

Our subject is one of the original stockholders 
of the Merchants' National Bank .and is now Di- 
rector in that prosperous institution. Mr. Mac 
Donald was married first in New York City to Mrs. 
L. LL Anderson, a native of that State and a grad- 
uate of Mrs. Williard's semin.ary at Troy. She 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



407 



died atGrinuell in January, 1888, where the mem- 
ory of her exalted womanly virtues is cherished by 
many devoted friends. He was married again, in 
August, 1890, to Miss Clara J. Vanderveer, born 
in Poweshiek County, the daughter of David Van- 
derveer, an old settler of the county, now resident 
in Grinnell, who emigrated from Ohio. Mrs. 
Mac Donald is a graduate of Iowa College, was a 
teacher at Grinnell for a while, then attended 
Wellesley College in Massachusetts, and subse- 
quently was a teacher of p]nglish literature and 
French in the Hitchcock High School at Brimfleld, 
Mass. Mr. and Mrs. Mac Donald are the parents 
of one child, Catherine H. The religious faith of 
our subject is that of the Church of the New Jeru- 
salem, or iSwcdenborgian, with which body he 
holds membership. In [lolitics he is a Republican. 






|P:0R(;E W. FRY. This worthy gentleman 
is the oldest member of the Fry family that 
^^^i^l settled in Johnson County in 1839. Al- 
though he has attained to the advanced age of 
four-score years and four, he is still acknowledged 
to be a leader in the affairs of this section, and in 
this brief outline of the life history of one of the 
noblest men who have ever settled within the 
borders of the county, facts will appear which are 
greatly to his credit. His intelligence, enterprise 
and integrity, and many other estimable qualities, 
have acquired for him a popularity not derived 
from any factitious circumstances; but which has 
been a permanent and spontaneous tribute to his 
merit. He was born in Greene County, Pa., June 
14, 1809, and at the age of four years was taken 
by his parents to Licking County, Oiuo, where he 
was reared in the woods among the Indians, hi.s 
playmates being young Indian bo^'S. Having 
been brought up at a time when the advantages of 
an education were not so fully appreciated as at 
this day, and when the facilities for obtaining one 
were by no means what they are now, his training 
in this re.spect was restricted to the old pioneer 



log schoolhouse, which he attended only during 
the winter months. These primitive structures 
were heated by an open fireplace, slabs were used 
for benches, and greased paper had to do duty for 
window lights. However, Mr. Fry possessed sound 
sense and discriminating judgment, and this, in a 
great measure, made up for what was lacking in 
the way of education. In 1833 he was married in 
Ohio, to Catherine Kepler, a native of Penn- 
sylvania, and in the fall of 1839 left Ohio and 
moved to what was then justly considered the 
wilds of Iowa, the journey hither lasting from 
October 10 until November 28. With the excep- 
tion of two nights the family camped out during 
the journey. The land in Johnson County was 
not then in the market, and Mr. Fry accordingly 
took up a squatter's claim in Sharon Township, 
and later became the owner of the same by pur- 
chase from the Government. His first purchase 
consisted of one hundred and sixty acres, but he 
eventually became the owner of three hundred 
and twenty acres, on which he built a log cabin 
and began the laborious work of cultivation and 
improvement. Indians were very numerous in 
this section at that time, and deer and wild 
turkeys were also plentiful. 

All the trading and milling were done at Musca- 
tine and Davenport, and tlie jouruey to and from 
these points took from three to four days, for they 
were compelled to go with ox-teams, there being 
no roads, and bridges being almost unknown. In 
fact, this sterling old |)ioneer was com|ielled lo 
undergo all the hardships, inconveniences and 
hard work of life in a new and unbroken counti y, 
but with characteristic energy, he kept pushing 
onward, and in time found himself on a smooth 
sea and floating with a prosperous tide, as the 
country began to settle up. After disposing of 
the farm on which he first settled, he, during the 
Civil War, purchased the farm on which he is now 
residing, which at that lime comprised one hun- 
dred and twenty acres, besides forty acres of good 
timberland south of this farm. He has been care- 
ful, prudent and economical, but not in the least 
penurious, and those who know him best recog- 
nize in him a good friend and neighbor. His 
walk through life has been characterized by a sin- 



408 



POrtTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



cere endeavor to do what was just and right, and 
he is one who lias so ananged his life that others 
have been benefited by his having lived in the 
world. 

His marriage with Miss Kepler resulted in the 
birth of thirteen children, seven of whom are 
living: Virgil, Ozias, Melissa, Sarah, Isaiah, Amos 
and Mary M. Mr. Fry was called upon to mourn 
the death of his wife in 1886, after a happy and 
unusually long married life of fifty-three years. 
She was a consistent member of the Christian 
Church, of which Mr. Fry is also a member and 
one of the pillars. The Democratic party has al- 
ways found a warm supporter in him, but he has 
never been an aspirant for i)olitical favors, al- 
though he has been often urged to run for oHice, 
and was at one time elected Justice of the Peace, 
but would not serve, the strife and turmoil of 
the official arena having no charms for him. 
Upon reaching this State Mr. Fry's capital consis- 
ted of the sum of fifty cents, but this state of his 
monetary affairs was not at all discouraging to 
one of his temperament, and in order to keep the 
wolf from the door he followed the calling of a 
carjjenter for some time after his arrival, by which 
means he obtained his start. During his long and 
useful career, he has witnessed the development 
of the county, and where are now waving fields of 
grain and large droves of horses and cattle, was 
then unbroken timber and prairie land, inhabited 
by numerous wild animals, such as deer, wolves, etc. 



?REDERICK O. PROCTOR does the largest 
business in groceries and general merchan- 
dise in Grinnell, Poweshiek County, Iowa, 
occupying the stores in the Opera House Block, 
and also the Fair Store, being beside the manager 
of the Opera House. His success, which has been 
exceptional, is due to his intelligent grasp of busi- 
ness methods and inflexibly honest dealings. He 
was born at Ogdensburg. St. Lawrence County, N. 
Y., May .31, 1857, being the son of A. L. Proctor, 



a native of New Hampshire and a grandson of Dr. 
John Proctor, a native of the latter State, who 
practiced medicine in Massachusetts and in Ply- 
moulh, N. H. The family of Proctors came origin- 
ally from England, settling first in Massachusetts 
and then in New Hampshire. The father of our 
subject was a merchant, who began business in 
Massachusetts and afterward settled in St. Lawrence 
Count}^ N. Y., at Ogdensburg, being a merchant 
and a farmer in the last-named place. In 1864, he 
removed to Hickory Grove, Jasper County, where 
he bought an improved farm and lived upon it for 
five years, when, in 1869, he located at Grinnell, 
Iowa, where he lived for the most parta retired life. 
The mother of our subject, Annette (Howard) 
Proctor, was born in St. Lawrence County, N. Y., 
where she died, leaving a family of four sons and 
one daughter, all of them living, our subject being 
the youngest. The latter was reared in New York 
until seven years old, then went to Jasper County, 
where he spent his time upon the farm and attended 
the district schools until his coming to Grinnell^ 
after which he lived upon a farm near here and 
went to school a few years, or until the j'ear 
1874, when he entered the general merchandise 
store of Ilerrick & Iligby, being there a clerk for 
two years. At this time he formed a partnei-ship, 
the firm being Mcintosh & Proctor, opening ui) at 
the corner of Cone and Broad Streets with an en- 
tirely new stock of general merchandise. At the 
close of two years he sold out and went to Lead- 
ville, where he speculated for a year in provisions 
and real estate, and then returned to Grinnell and 
formed a partnership, under the firm name of Pres- 
ton & Proctor, in the general merchandise business, 
on the present site, and in 1884 started the "Fair," 
which building he owns. Later he bought a one- 
half interest in the Opera House Block property, 
which is 45x80 feet in dimensions, with three stores, 
and has in it the Masonic Hall and galler}' and the 
Opera House, with a seating capacity of eight hun- 
dred, the floors on the first floor being occupied by 
our subject. The Fair Store property is 24x100 
feet in dimensions, and filled with a well-assorted 
stock of goods. His residence in the western part 
of the city is a very handsome and homelike plac«. 
Besides the property named Mr, Proctor owns a 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



409 



large and valuable farm in Dakota. He was mar- 
ried in 1880 to Miss Carrie A., daughter of S. J. 
Preston, Lis former partner. She has borne him 
three children: Mamie, Alma and Helen. Mr. 
Proctor holds, political views in liarmony with 
those of the Republican party, witli which he af- 
filiates and votes. 



M frlLLlAM ,1. UAVIN. Amoil: 
\rj// l<nown and inlluential citizei 
^/^ Township, Johnson County. 



ILLIAM J. DAVIS. Among the well- 

zens of Sharon 

Iowa, is the 

gentleman whose name introduces these para- 
graphs, and who is a successful farmer, using the 
best methods of fertilizing the soil and improving 
the land. He was born in the South of Wales, 
January 5, 183.5, of which section his father, .John 
Davis, and his grandfather, William Davis, were 
also natives. The latter tilled the soil and died 
in the land of his birth at the age of sixty-six 
years. He reared his son John to a knowledge of 
the practical duties of fanning, and this occupa- 
tion continued to receive his attention through- 
out life. He first lauded on American soil in 
IS.")!, coming from the land of his birth in a 
Yankee vessel, the voyage lasting six weeks and 
four days. He settled in the central portion of 
Wisconsin, where he bought one hundred and sixty 
acres of land from the Government, and on this 
land he built a log cabin in the woods. Wild ani- 
mals, such as deer, wolves, etc., often came about his 
cabin home, and Indians were also quite numerous, 
but peaceable and friendly. He improved this 
farm, and in time purchased forty acres more and 
there spent his declining years, dying at the age of 
sixty-seven years, his wife dying at the age of six- 
ty-nine years. Her maiden name was Catherine 
Jenkins and she was also a native of Southern 
Wales. The fruits of their union were five chil- 
dren: John, William, Charles, Kate and Margaret. 
The parents of these children were members of the 
Congregational Church and were in all points 
counted on the side of religion and nioralitv. Mr. 



Davis was a Republican. The maternal grandfa- 
ther, Charles .Jenkins, was a farmer and drover in 
Southern Wales and was extensively^ engaged in 
the purchase and sale of stock in London and 
Manchester markets. He became wealthy in this 
business and lived to the extreme old age of nine- 
ty-eight years. 

William J. Davis became a resident of America 
in his sixteenth year, and not onl}' attended school 
in his native land, but was also a student for some 
time in the old log schoolhouses of Wisconsin. 
At the age of twenty-two years he left home and 
began working in the coi)per mines along Lake 
Superior and afterwards spent nearl}' six years in 
the Northern pineries. He then purchased eighty 
acres of land in the northern part of Wisconsin, 
on which he made some improvements, but in the 
spring of 1863 he sold his property and came to 
Johnson County, Iowa, where the following fall 
he became the owner by purchase of one hundred 
and twenty acres of fine, arable land. This place 
was slightly improved, for on it was a small house 
and here he settled with his young wife soon after 
their marriage, which occurred in October, 1863, 
her maiden name being Sarah Davis, a Penn.syl- 
vanian by birth, who was brought to this section 
in the year 1845, when only six months old. A 
family of nine children was born to thetn: Ruth, 
Martha, John (deceased), Kate, Thomas, Cynthia, 
Morgan, Sarah (deceased) and Sarah J., who was 
named for her deceased sister. The mother of 
these children was called from the scene of her 
earthly labors in the month of May, 1888, at which 
time she was a devout and consistent member of 
the Congregational Church, of which William J. 
Davis is also a member. 

The farm of which Mr. Davis is now the owner 
comprises three hundred acres, two hundred and 
one and a-half being in the home place, and nine- 
t3'-eight and a-half acres across the creek in LTnion 
Township. This land is considered as fine as an}' 
within the confines of Johnson County, and 
through the untiring efforts of Mr. Davis is all 
well improved and in an excellent state of cultiva- 
tion. He has been engaged in mixed farming and, 
besides raising large quantities of grain, much at- 
tention has been given to the breeding of horses, 



410 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



cattle and bogs. He has a large number of fine 
milch cows and sells milk to the Sharon cheese 
factory, of which he was one of the organizers and 
is now a stockholder. His horses are of Norman 
and Clydesdale stock, and he always keeps a cred- 
ita))le line of animals. He has always voted with 
the Republican i)arty and has held tlie office of 
Townsliip Clerk one term. He has been quite un 
extensive dealer in real estate and has bought and 
sold a great deal of land in this State and in Neb- 
raska. His efforts in nearly every direction have 
been attended with good financial results. 



^>^¥r<i 



\fl E. VAN EVRA, Treasurer of the Poweshiek 
County Mutual Insurance Society, and form- 
erly Vice-President of the County Agricul- 
tural Society, has been for nearly two-score 
years a constant resident of the State of Iowa, and 
since 1884 has taken a prominent place among the 
representative agriculturists, successful stock-raisers 
and extensive shippers of Grinnell Township. 
The Van Evra family trace their ancestry back to 
an enterprising Hollander, who made his home in 
New York at a very early day in the history of 
the Empire State, and there, locating permanently, 
married and through a numerous progeny trans- 
mitted his name to his descendants, many of whom 
yet reside in and about Montgomery County, N. Y. 
There the paternal grandfather of our subject, 
John Van Evra, was born, educated and married, 
and still remaining among the scenes of his youtli, 
reared his family, of whom the father of our sub- 
ject, Rynier Van Evra, was a member. Rynier 
Van I^vra spent the days of his early youth and 
manhood in his birthplace, and having attained 
his majority, married Miss Catherine Stowitts, a 
daughter of a resident of Montgomery County, 
and the newly-wedded husband and wife began 
life upon a farm in their native State and count}'. 
Upon their homestead our subject was born and 
passed the first five years of his life, liis parents 
then emigrating to Scott County, Iowa, where the 



grandfather, John Van Evra, had settled among 
the [)ioneer farmers of the broad West. 

Mr. Van Evra was the 3'oungest of the four 
children who came with the parents to Scott 
Count}' in 1855, and in this locality our subject 
grew up to manhood, and having been trained into 
a full knowledge of agricultural duties upon his 
father's farm, was well fitted to begin life for him- 
self. In Januarj", 1873, he was united in marriage 
with Miss Ella Cessna, a native of Bedford County, 
Pa., and a daughter of Thomas Cessna, a well- 
known resident of the Hawkeye State, but born 
in Pennsylvania in 1827. He was the sou of Will- 
iam Cessna, whose life-time home was in the 
Quaker State, the paternal great-grandfather hav- 
ing been a citizen of Pennsylvania in the day of 
the renowned William Penn, and serving with 
brave fidelity in the War of the Revolution. Our 
subject settled permanently in Poweshiek County 
about nine years ago, and purchased a farm of 
one hundred and sixty acres, to which he has since 
prosperously added, until the limits of his valuable 
homestead have increased to four hundred acres 
of finely cultivated land, well improved, with an 
attractive and commodious country residence, sub- 
stantial barns and outbuildings. Stock-raising, 
buying, feeding and shipping cattle materially add 
to the profits of general agriculture, and during 
tlie summer season a large number of cows are 
milked upon the farm, whose different departments, 
profitably conducted, annually yield a handsome 
income and excellent return for time and labor 
invested. 

Mr. and Mrs. Van Evra have a family of four 
intelligent children. Ray, the eldest, is in a com- 
mercial college in Des Moines; Gertrude and Ar- 
thur are attending the High School at Grinnell, 
and Jay is pursuing his studies in the excellent 
school of the home neighborhood. Our subject 
and his estimable wife are valued members of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church, and are active work- 
ers in the benevolent enterprises of that denomi- 
nation, and also occupying with their family a 
social position of usefulness and influence among 
a wide circle of friends and acquaintance. Politi- 
cally, Mr. Van Evra is a stanch Democrat, and one 
of the active supporters of the party in Poweshiek 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



413 



County. He is earnestly interested in all matters 
of public welfare, and in his official positions 
of Vice-President of the County Agricultural So- 
ciety and as Treasurer of the County Mutual In- 
surance Society, has given able and eflicient ser- 
vice to those organizations, and richly earned 
the high respect and confidence with which he is 
regarded by the entire coinnuinilies of Poweshielt 
County. 






AMUEL B. (tWIN is a native son of 
Brooklyn, his birth having occurred Au- 
gust 21, 1865. He is a son of Elias Gwin, 
one of the early pioneers of this county 
where he entered and improved a large tract of 
land. Mr. Gwin whose name heads this sketch is 
a well-known attorney-at-law in this place and, 
controls a large practice. He received a collegiate 
education and was graduated from the Valparaiso 
Commercial College in 1882, after having spent one 
year in a regular course of study. He afterward 
entered the Iowa State University, and in the fall 
of 1884 began the study of law with the firm of 
Talbert & Gaynor, of Brooklyn. Entering Drake 
University, he pursued his legal studies there for 
some time and was graduated from the law de- 
partment in June, 1886. A year later he was ad- 
mitted to the Bar, and since November of that year 
has been located in Brooklyn. He is an active 
young politician, being a strong Democrat, and in 
the fall of 1890 made a race for the County At- 
torneyship, but was defeated by only fifty votes. 
The paternal grandfather of our subject, James 
Gwin, was a son of one James, who emigrated with 
his parents to America during the Colonial days, 
locating in Pennsylvania. During the War of the 
Revolution he was in the service, and at the battle 
of Bunker Hill pla3'ed the fife. Our subject's 
grandfather was born in Pennsj'lvania and was 
one of the early pioneer farmers of Holmes County, 
Oliio. About 1844, removing to Iowa, he settled 
near Brooklyn, engaging in agricultural pursuits 

19 



until his death in 186 1 . His wife, who was formerly 
Miss Elizabeth Huston, reared a family as follows: 
Nicholas, Thomas, Jesse, Elias, Julia and Jennie. 
The eldest of the family, Nicholas, served in the 
war and was severely wounded, from the effects of 
which he died soon after returning home. Thomas 
was also a valiant soldier in the war. Mr. Gwin 
was a Democrat in politics and was a Presbyterian 
in religious faith. 

Elias Gwin was born in Holmes County, Ohio, 
and came to Iowa in 1844, living in this vicinity 
for nearly half a century, his death occurring July 
25, 1891. He was reared on a farm and at one 
time owned four hundred and eighty acres north 
of Brooklyn. In 1865 he engaged in the butcher- 
ing business with Hari-y Summerville,and lateren- 
gaged for about ten years in buying and shipping 
cattle. About 1869 he entered into the coal and 
grain business and for several years was inter- 
ested with I. M. Drake in an implement trade. At 
Malcom, he for a time ran an elevator. He was a 
leading public man and a liberal contributor to all 
enterprises calculated to benefit the vicinity and 
the community at lairge. His wife, who survives 
him was also born in Holmes County, Ohio, and 
bore the maiden name of Ellizabeth Flack. Her 
father, Thomas Flack, was an extensive farmer, and 
a native of Westmoreland County, Pa. In his early 
manhood he removed to Ohio and about the year 
1844 came to Brooklyn. He was of Scotch-Irish 
origin, a member of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church and, politicall}-, a Democrat. 



-=^1. 



R. MILLER YOUNG, for a brief time 
numbered among the especially able and 
skillful medical practitioners of Iowa, 
early retired from the active duties of his 
profession, and devotes his time most profitably 
to general agriculture and stock-raising, owning a 
magnificent farm of several hundred finely culti- 
vated acres, upon which are bred some of the choicest 
horses, cattle and hogs in the State. For many 



414 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



years Dr. Miller Young has been a constant resi- 
dent and leading man of Madison Township, 
where he has held local offices of trust, and was 
also the nominee of the Republican party as Rep- 
resentative of his district, and ran ahead of his 
ticket, but was defeated by the Democratic major- 
ity. 

Our suliject was born in Fulton County, Ohio, 
March G, 1846, and was the son of AVilliam Young, 
of County Antrim, Ireland, born April 18, 1808. 
He was of Scotch-Irish descent, his ancestors hav- 
ing removed from Scotland to the Emerald Isle, on 
account of the religious intolerance endured by 
them in their native country. The paternal grand- 
mother of Dr. Young was a Burns, and a stanch Pres- 
byterian. The grandfather came to America with 
his two sous, William and Robert, in 1818, and 
settled in Danville, Pa., where he remained until 
his death. 

William Young was but ten years of age when 
he emigrated with his father to America, and, a 
self-reliant buy, lost no opportunity to improve 
himself, becoming an enterjirising, intelligent and 
well-read man. He was a miller by trade, and fol- 
lowed this occupation in his younger days. He 
removed to Ohio, and lived three 3'ears in Knox 
County, later removing to Fulton County, where 
he entered land in 1835, and improved a farm, all 
of which was heavy timberland. He was a pio- 
neer in that part of Ohio, which then contained 
wild game, principally deer, in abundance. Sell- 
ing this homestead, Father Young came to Iowa 
in October, 1855, and' spent the winter in Musca- 
tine, and then settled in Heniy County, in March, 
1856, where he died upon his birthday in 1881, aged 
seventy-three years. Reared in the Presbyterian 
faith, he in Ohio joined the United Brethren 
Church. He was a man of more than ordinary 
al)ility, and worthily possessed the esteem and 
confidence of many friends. The mother of our 
subject, Hester (Stott) Young, was a native of 
Penns^'lvania, but of immediate German descent, 
her grandfather having been born in the Old 
Country. She died in 1871, a sincere Christian 
woman and a member of the United Brethren 
Church. 

Dr. Young was one of nine children, four of 



whom are yet living. He received his primary 
education in the log schoolhouse near the Ohio 
homestead, afterward studied in the districtschools, 
and later attended Howe's Academy, at Mt. Pleas- 
ant, Iowa. lie taught school at eighteen years of 
age, and continued in educational work for several 
terms, and then, being the youngest of the family, 
took charge of the farm in Marion Township, 
Henry County, six miles north of Mt. Pleasant, and 
immediately after the death of his mother began 
the study of medicine. Previousl}', he had taken 
a business course in the Eastman Business College, 
of Chicago, graduating February 27, 1866. He 
read under Dr. Bird, of Mt. Pleasant, and in 1871 
entered upon a course of lectures in Rush Medi- 
cal College, of Chicago. He was studying there 
when the great fire destroyed the college and his 
boarding-|)lace. Our subject then returned to 
Iowa, and took a medical course in the Iowa State 
University, at Iowa City, and in 1873 graduated 
from the Jefferson Medical College, of Philadel- 
phia. Soon after. Dr. Young entered into part- 
nership with Dr. J. II. Boucher, of Iowa City, 
but at the expiration of one year Dr. Boucher was 
obliged, upon account of his health, to remove 
to California, and our subject then engaged for 
a year in practice in North Liberty, .Johnson 
Count}', Iowa. 

AVhile in North Liberty, Dr. Young was married 
to Miss Iowa Wray, daughter of David Wray, an 
old and honored pioneer settler of the State, who 
passed away, sincerely mourned, in 1872. In the 
spring of 1875, our subject and his estimable wife 
located upon the old Wray homestead, on section 
2, Madison Township, Johnson County, where he 
has since constantly resided. Discontinuing the 
practice of medicine after the first }'ear of his resi- 
dence here, Dr. Young has prosperously- conducted 
the extensive farm, and become one of the promi- 
nent and most prosperous agriculturists of John- 
son County. In 1878, he purchased a farm upon 
section 2, which he yet owns, and a few j'eais 
later bought one hundred and eighty acres, now 
owning six hundred acres, which, with the excep- 
tion of forty acres, adjoins the old homestead. 
Our subject has always been accounted an especially 
excellent manager, and possesses a high order of 



POETEAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL KECORD. 



415 



executive ability, being one of the best business 
men of tliis locality. Five promising children 
have blessed the hap|>y home: AVilliam W., Henry 
M., Mary H., Maude II. and Iowa U. Politically, 
our subject is an active Republican and a local 
leader in the councils of the party. He was As- 
sessor of the township six years, and discharged 
the duties of the office with faithful fidelity to 
public interest. Fraternall}', Dr. Young has been 
connected with the Ancient Free ife Accepted 
Masons since 1874. He is a valuable Trustee of 
the Methodist Episcopal Churcii, of which denom- 
ination he and his cultured wife have long been 
members and active workers in social and benevo- 
lent enterprise. Occupying a position of useful- 
ness and inlluence, Dr. Young gives earnest thought 
to matters of public welfare, and is a truly liberal- 
spirited and progressive citizen. 



-^^^l 



\I( W. HOLLOAVELL, the oldest settler of 
j Marengo Township, and one of the oldest 
^^^ of Iowa County, Iowa, was born in the 
^^f' county of Orange, Ind., October 22, 1817, 
was reared there and received his education under 
the "Iloosier .Schoolmaster," the sessions being 
held in the old log house of early times, and being 
conducted on the subscription plan, which was in 
vogue at that time. Ilis father, Jose HoUowell, 
his grandfather, Thomas Ilollowell, and his great- 
grandfather, John HoUowell, were all natives of 
the old North State, the latter being descended di- 
rectly from English ancestors. Thomas HoUowell 
was an honest tiller of the soil, but in order to 
better his financial condition, he removed to 
Orange County, Ind., about 1812, opening a farm, 
which he improved and continued to till until his 
career was closed by death at an advanced age. 

Jose Ilollowell, the father, was married in North 
Carolina, and in 1809 removed with his family by 
wagon to Orange County, Ind., where his efforts to 
provide a home for himself and family and a com- 
fortable competence for his declining years were 



prospered, and he became the owner of a fine tract 
of land, and did not live long to enjoy his means, 
for when just in the prime of life his career was 
ended, his death occurring at the age of forty-two 
years. He had been reared a Quaker, but he left that 
church and was married to Miss Elizabeth Wood- 
ard, a native of North Carolina, and a believer in 
another religious doctrine. They reared a family of 
five ciiildren: James, John, Mary, Sarah, and J. W., 
whose name heads this sketch. At the time of the 
location of the family in Indiana, Indians were 
numerous and frequently hostile, and the settlers 
often had to resort to the protection of forts. 
Wild game was nlso very abundant, but his youth- 
ful days were spent in other occupations than 
hunting. 

Owing to the untimely death of our subject's 
father, he was compelled to start out to fight the 
battle of life for himself at the age of fourteen 
years, but later, owing to the fact that his elder 
brothers left the farm to seek their fortunes, he re- 
mained to assist his mother, and on his slender and 
youthful shoulders fell the main burden of the 
family's maintenance. He was married in Indiana, 
and there continued to make his home until Sep- 
tember, 1846, when he came with his famil}' by 
wagon to Iowa County, Iowa, at the same time 
bringing with them some cattle, which they drove 
through. Mr. Ilollowell settled near where he now 
resides and entered the land of which he is now 
the owner from the Government. At that time set- 
tlers were very few, but deer and other wild game 
was very abundant, but as Mr. Ilollowell never 
aspired to be a Nimrod, that pastime had no 
charms for him. He built a log house on his farm, 
into which he at once moved with his family', and 
for a long time thereafter was compelled to do his 
trading and milling at Iowa City, which was about 
thirty-three miles distant. There were no roads 
to speak of at that time, sloughs were numerous, 
and they would often mire down on the journey. 

Mr. HoUowell was very energetic and industri- 
ous, and immediately set to work to develop his 
farm, and his efforts in this respect have been at- 
tended with marked success, and he is now wealthy, 
being the owner of six hundred and twenty acres 
of exceptionally fertile land. He recently' sold 



416 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



one hundred and sixty acres. He has given his 
attention to mixed farming, and during his long 
career as an agriculturist he has raised a large 
amount of stock. His marriage, which occurred In 
February, 1842, to Miss Martha Cloud, who was 
born in Orange County, Ind., in 1823, resulted in 
the birth of nine children, the following of whom 
are living: Mary, Laura and Martha. Those de- 
ceased are Joel T., Eveline J., John P., Charles W., 
Rachel and Elizabeth. The mother of these chil- 
dren was called from this life September 14, 1880, 
at which time she was a member of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church, of which Mr. Hollowell is a con- 
sistent member. The latter is a Democrat, in poli- 
tics, with strong Prohibition proclivities, and the 
party which he has always supported elected him 
to the position of Count3' .Sheriff, which he held 
from 1849 to 1851, and he has also acceptably 
filled numerous township offices. 

Upon coming to this county, Mr. Hollowell 's 
worldly possessions consisted of a few household 
goods, a small amount of stock and $300 in 
money. Now he is one of the wealthy men of the 
county, and his means have been accumulated 
through his own efforts. 



AMUEL COZINE, for over two years one 
of the able, energetic and enterprising citi- 
zens of Johnson Count}', Iowa, is a lead- 
ing and prosperous general agriculturist 
and successful stock-raiser of Graham Township, 
owning a valuable farm of three hundred and 
seventy-seven acres, pleasantly located upon sec- 
tion 32. A man of earnest purpose, wise judg- 
ment and of sterling integrity of character, he has 
worthily filled various important oflicial positions 
in the township, and, widely known, commands the 
high regard and confidence of the general public. 
Our subject was born in Dearborn County, Ind., 
March 5, 1826, and was reared, educated and mar- 
ried within the boundaries of his native county. 



His parents, John and Abagail (Bruce) Cozine, 
were both born in Indiana, and the mother was a 
native of Dearborn County. The father spent his 
entire life within the confines of his native State, 
but tlie motlier, after his dcatii, came to Johnson 
County, Iowa, and passed away in Graliam Town- 
ship. 

Mr. Cozine was twenty-six years of age and in 
tlie vigor of 30uthful manhood wlien witii his 
young wife he journe3'ed to Iowa, and located 
upon one hundred and forty-four acres of wild 
land situated upon section 32, Graham Townsliip. 
Many years have passed since, in the fall of 1851, 
he here entered with ardor into the duties of agri- 
culture and began the tilling of the fertile soil, 
which so readily responded to his labor. The 
homestead, extending the limits of its acreage, all 
under a high state of cultivation, and finely im- 
proved with excellent and commodious barns and 
outbuildings and a comfortable and substantial 
residence, is among the most attractive pieces of 
farming property in this part of the State. Our 
subject has been twice married. He first entered 
into the bonds of matrimony in Dearborn County, 
Ind., there marrying Miss Elizabeth Holloway, 
who became the mother of five children. She was 
a native of Indiana, born in Dearborn County, 
and removing with her husband to Graham Town- 
ship, Iowa, lived to share with him a few years' 
residence in their new home, and then passed awa^', 
leaving to his care a family of sons. Emeretta, 
their eldest-born, and the only daughter, had died 
when eighteen months old; Jesse married Miss Lina 
Waldron; Harlan J. married Miss Lillian M. Miller; 
James R. married Miss L^'dia Morse, and some time 
after her death contracted a second marriage, with 
Miss Jessie I. Andrews; and Ellis passed away in 
childhood. 

Upon February 5, 1862, Mr. Cozine was united 
in marriage with Miss Melissa L. Pratt, a resident 
of Johnson County, but born in Crawford County, 
Pa., January 7, 1842. Four children, all sons, 
have brightened the home of our subject and his 
wife with their merry presence. The brothers are 
William E., Sydney C, Irviu V. and Arthur A. 
The second son, Sydney, married Miss Agnes Coch- 
ran. Our subject and his estimable wife and their 



-%s 




c/c^~tAAj (2yA 



JjC^'P^A^ 





PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



419 



family occupy positions of usefulness and influ- 
ence and are prominent factors in social and benev- 
olent enterprises of their home locality. Mr. and 
Mrs. Cozine are members of the Methodist Episco- 
pal Church and are foremost in the good works of 
that religious denomination. Our subject is not a 
politician in tlie usual acceptation of the term, but, 
a true American citizen, is deeply interested in lo- 
cal and national affairs, and in the conduct of the 
olHcial duties entrusted to his care has displayed a 
faitliful conscientiousness, rare as it is valuable. 
Mr. Cozine has devoted his life mainly to general 
agricultural pursuits and stock-raising and no man 
in the county has passed a more busy life, but he 
has ever found time to devote to the general good, 
and to his earnest efforts the rapid advancement 
of many leading interests of the towushii) is 
mainly due. Prospered financially, our subject has 
been able to assist liis children in tlieir upward 
path in life, but he can bequeath them no inherit- 
ance of more priceless value than the spotless rec- 
ord of their father's upright life. 



|l/_^ ENRY STROIIM, a retired nurseryman of 
l( )l) ^^^'^ Cit}', has for many long years been 
1^)^ one of the substantial business men of the 
(§£^ place, and has ever been foremost and act- 
ive in promoting the welfare of all movements 
tending to benefit this locality. After years of 
industry and conscientious toil lie has retired to 
enjoy the comiietence wliich lie laid by prudently 
for his declining days. 

Mr. Strohin, of whom this sketch is a brief life 
record, was born on a farm in Lancaster County, 
Pa., February 7, 1821. His father, Hon. ,Tohn 
Strohm, was also born in the same county, in Octo- 
ber, 1793, and was a farmer during his active ca- 
reer. He was a son of David Strohm, a native of 
Germany, who emigrated with his parents to the 
United States when a child of four years, prior to 
the Revolutionary War, his father, unfortunately, 



dying on the voyage. .John Strohm was a great 
politician and a member of the Legislature of 
Pennsylvania for tliree years. State Senator for 
eight years, and a Member of Congress for four 
years. He was a stanch Whig and much respected 
by all who had the good fortune to be thrown in 
contact with him in any manner, whether in po- 
litical, social or business circles. In 1885 he was 
called to his final rest, being then in his ninety- 
third year, and up to a short time before his de- 
mise was well preserved and active in body and 
mind. He was stricken with paralysis and subse- 
quently died of pneumonia. In Lancaster County, 
he was known and spoken of as '• Honest .John," 
no higher eulogiuin ever being paid to the mem- 
ory of any man. He served in Congress with 
Abraham Lincoln, with whom he boarded in Wash- 
ington. We cojiy an obituary notice that was 
published in Lancaster at the time of his death: 

"Rut few men in this county liave taken a more 
prominent and honorable part in public affairs 
than 'Honest John' Strohm. His first appear- 
ance on the political platform was in the Legisl.a- 
tureof Pennsylvania inl831,and by subsequent re- 
elections, he served several times, being recognized 
on all sides not only as a conscientious man, but also 
.as one of more than ordinary principles. In 1814, 
he was elected to Congress, and re-elected in 1846, 
his term expiring three years later, and his suc- 
cessor being Thaddeus Stevens. For one year he 
served as President of the Senate, in 1842, the 
duties of which office he performed with so much 
fidelity, tliat no appeal was ever taken from his 
decision. Mr. Strohm was often mentioned for 
even higher lionors, hut always without solici- 
tation on his part." 

John Strohm was a man in whom the peo- 
ple had great confidence and trust and during 
life had a number of important estates to settle 
up. He was a self-educated man, but one who 
improved every opportunity for instruction and 
study, thus placing himself among the most intel- 
ligent in every class of society. His wife, the 
mother of our subject, was formerly Mrs. Susan- 
nah Barr, a native of Lancaster County, Pa., who 
bore the maiden name of Herr. She w.as called to 
the home beyond in her fortieth year, and of her 



420 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



seven children, two of whom died in infancy, our 
subject is the eldest sou and second child. 

Until reaching the age of sixteen years, our sub- 
ject was engaged in assisting his fathei- on his farm 
in Lancaster County, where he attended jirivate 
schools. He then learned the tailor's trade, working 
at that occupation until his twenty-first year, and 
taught school three winters in Lancaster County. 
For a shoi't time he engaged in business for him- 
self in the northern part of the State, and in 1844 
went to Ohio, locating near Dayton, where he 
taught school during the winter months for some 
two years. In 1861 he came to Iowa City and 
engaged in the nursery business, keeping a fine 
line of all varieties of shade, ornamental and fruit 
trees and small fruits. He was really a pioneer in 
this line of business in this part of the State and 
from the first made a great success of the same. 
For several }-ears he turned his attention specially 
toward growing apple trees from seeds and from 
seedlings which he kept in stock for grafting pur- 
poses. He continued in business until 1889, or 
for nearly two-score years, when, selling out, he re- 
tired from active life and is now engaged in look- 
ing after his real-estate and other interests. He is 
a stockholder and Director in the Johnson 
County Savings Bank and is also interested in the 
Farmers' Loan and Trust Company. 

On the 29th of December, 1847, Mr. Strohm 
was united in marriage with Miss Mary A. Kauff- 
man, of Dayton, Ohio, who was born in that vi- 
cinity. Her parents were Christian and Esther 
(Whitmore) Kauffman, natives of Lancaster 
County, Pa., and early and honored settlers of 
Ohio. Seven children, of whom five are living, 
came to bless the home of Mr. and Mrs. Strohm, of 
whom tiie following is the record: John W., who 
IS engaged in grain buying at Carroll, Iowa; Frank 
a cattle salesman in a commission house in South 
Omaha, Neb.; Henry C, who is now at Downs, 
Kan., a grain dealer; Charles B., also of Kansas, 
a trainmaster in the employ of the Santa Fe 
Railroad; and Carrie E., who resides at home. 
Alice, who was the wife of Isaac B. Lee, and died 
November 14, 1888. All the children received a 
good education. Mrs. Strohm and daughter are 
members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 



For three 3'^ears Mr. Strohm has served as a 
member of the City Council from the Fifth Ward, 
and has served as a member of the Board of Su- 
pervisors for two terms, and in other waj's has en- 
deavored to serve his fellow-citizens, always dis- 
charging the duties of whatever office he has 
filled to their complete satisfaction. Since the or- 
ganization of the Republican party he has been one 
of its most active and truest supporters, doing all 
in his power to increase its influence and welfare. 
His comfortable and substantial residence is lo- 
cated at No. 621 Summit Street. It is constructed 
in the most modern style and is furnished with 
culture and taste. 



,=0. 



SAAC N. BUSBY, M. D. Among the prom- 
inent physicians of Poweshiek County' no one 
is more highly esteemed, both professionally 
and personally, than is the gentleman of whom we 
will proceed to give a brief sketch. He has had 
valuable experience, having served in the hospi- 
tals during the war as a surgeon, and having been 
actively engaged in practice since that time. He 
is recognized as an extremely bright physician by 
the brethren of his profession, and for three years 
held a position as Professor and Lecturer on Phy- 
siologj' and General Pathology in the medical 
department of Drake Universitj', of Des Moines, 
Iowa. In 1885 that justly famed institution of 
learning conferred upon him the degree of Doctor 
of Medicine in recognition of his merits. Two 
years later, in March, 1887, the Doctor was elected 
President of the Board of Trustees and Dean of 
the F'aculty in the medical department of Drake 
LTniversity, but declined to serve, and has con- 
tinued to refuse all further honors. In 1867 
the Doctor received a license to preach in the 
Methodist Episcopal Church, and the following 
j'ear was admitted to serve as a pastor in the Mal- 
com Circuit. October 2, 1870, he was ordained 
as a Deacon, and in October, 1873, was made an 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



421 



Elder. In 1871 Dr. Busb}' had charge of a pas- 
torate at Montezuma, in this county, where he 
also engaged somewhat in the practice of medi- 
cine. In 1873 he removed to Newton, where 
he continued his ministerial work for about two 
years. 

Our subject was born in Carroll County, Ohio, 
June 2, 1840, and is a son of John W. and Anna 
(Merriman) Busby. His grandfather, whose Chris- 
tian name was also John Busby, was born in 
Maryland, but was of Scotch origin. He came at an 
early du^' Westward, locating in Cadiz, Ohio, where 
he was an honored pioneer, and where he resided 
until his death. He was a greatly respected citi- 
zen, and served as Justice of the Peace for thirty- 
two years. His wife was in her maidenhood a 
Miss Wisner, of Dutch descent. She became the 
mother of three sons and nine daughters. The 
former were called respectively: John W-,, Isaac 
and Abraham. In political faith our subject's 
giandfather was a Democrat. 

Our subject's father was born in Harrison 
County, Ohio, in 1805, and removed to Carroll 
County, in the same State, where he carried on a 
farm until shortly before his death, in 1871. He 
was, like his father, a Democrat, and was an active 
and consistent member of the Protestant Methodist 
Church. His wife survived him until Sejjtember, 
1877, when she was also called to her final rest. 
In their family- of fourteen children twelve lived 
to mature years. The record is as follows: John- 
son, a farmer of Poweshiek Countv; Dr. A. J., a 
resident of Independence, Kan.; Abraham, of Nod- 
away County, Mo.; Elijah, of Mahaska County, 
Iowa, near Rose Hill; John, of Maryville, Mo.; 
Thomas, who died in Ohio in 1877 from the effects 
of a wound received atj Kichniond, Ya.; Isaac N.; 
Aaron, a resident of Plainlield, Ohio; Samuel, who 
died at the age of three years; Nancy, now Mrs. 
Dunlap; Elizabeth, Mrs. Cordell; Julia A., who 
became the wife of Dr. C. D. Conaw.a}-; Mary, 
Mrs. Anderson; and Rachel, who died at the age 
of three months. Elijah served during the late 
war, enlisting in the Fourth Iowa Cavalry, and 
was confined in Libby Prison. John enlisted in a 
Missouri regiment, and also served during the 
war. Our subject's mother was born in Maryland 



and was a daughter of Page Merriman, a native of 
Maryland, who emigrated to Ohio at an early 
d.iy, was in service during the War of 1812, and 
died in Harrison County, Ohio. 

Dr. Isaac Busby was given good school .advan- 
tages and attended McCoy's Acadeni}^ preparing 
himself to teach. He commenced in that profes- 
sion, leaching in the common schools when only 
nineteen, and continued at that employment until 
October, 1861, when he enlisted in Company A, 
Eightieth Ohio Regiment. He took part in the 
first battle of Shiloh, the siege of Corinth, and the 
battles of luka and Corinth. In December, 1862, 
he was detached and liecaine a member of the Pio- 
neer Corps in the Seventh Division, Seventeenth 
Army Corps, becoming a Hospital Steward. In 
1863 he took charge as Hospital Surgeon, which 
position he held until the close of the war. He 
was elected in the fall of 1863 as Major of the 
One Hundred and Eighty-eighth Ohio Infantry, 
but never served on account of misrepresentation. 
In November of the following j'ear he was dis- 
charged near Atlanta, Ga., and, though he re- 
ceived papers from Surgeon-in-Chief J. S. Prout 
for a re-appointment, he returned by w.ay of Chat- 
tanooga to Bakersville, Ohio, where he began the 
practice of medicine. He had pursued this line 
of learning since 1857, and by his practical exi)e- 
rience during the war became thoroughly equipped, 
especially in surgeiy. In October, 1866, he re- 
moved to Brooklyn, Iowa, taking charge of Dr. 
John Conaway's place, and in tiie same jear he 
was licensed to preach, his first regular charge being 
Malcom Circuit. He then took charge at Monte- 
zuma, and was next stationed at Newton, and in 
1875 was appointed Pastor of the Main Street 
Church of Ottumwa. A year later he went as a 
minister to Danville, three years after to New Lon- 
don, and in 1881 came to Brooklyn. He has 
preached at Malcom and Madison, but in 1886 
took suiiernumerary relations on account of asth- 
matic troubles, but is still a member of the Con- 
ference. Though he still preaclies occasionally, he 
has for several j'ears devoted himself almost ex- 
clusively to his professional duties. I'oliticail}-, 
he is an active Re|)ublican. 

Dr. Busby has been three times married. His 



422 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



first union was with Miss Jennie Conaway in Feb- 
ruary, 18G6. Slie died August 20, 1874, leaving 
two children: Clara and Charles D., the former 
now deceased. In April, 1875, the Doctor wedded 
Almira B. Talbott, by whom he had three chil- 
dren: Verona M., Julia A. and' Jennie B. The 
mother died October 1, 1885, leaving Uiany friends 
to mourn her loss. His present wife was formerly 
Miss Harriet M. Smith, a daughter of James H. 
and Susan (Sater) Smith, the former a farmer of 
Des Moines County and a native of Pennsylvania. 
He is the son of the Rev. Benjamin B. Smith, of 
New Milford, Conn., who had a family of six sons 
and two daughters, The eldest, Curtis B. N., was 
a prominent attorney of Pittsburgh and is now de- 
ceased; and Joseph F. died when twenty-two 
years of age. The Rev. Mr. Smith located in New 
York, and later removed to Ontario County, in 
the same State. He was three times married, his 
first wife being Calista Terrill, who was a descend- 
ant of the wife of the Duke of York and was a 
member of a prominent family in the Empire State. 
The Rev. Mr. Smith was the father of nine chil- 
dren. Two of his sisters married prominent men. 
Abbie is the wife of Dr. Briggs, and Sarah, the 
wife of Dr. Huitt, both well known in Presbyte- 
rian circles. Tiie Smith family, who have been 
active Presbyterians for two hundred years, were 
of the original Pilgrim stock, and emigrated from 
England about 1G20. 



, OBERT C. WAGNER. Among the represent- 
ative, thorough-going and successful farmers 
dii \\\ and stock-breeders of Jolinson and Musca- 
^^tine Counties may be mentioned Robert 
AVagner, who since the spring of 1865 has been a resi- 
dentof the former county. He was born in theHoo- 
sicr State, in the vicinity of South Bend, June 21, 
1850. He is one of three children born to B. F. 
and Mary (Cissne) Wagner, tiie former of whom was 
an Oliioan, born in 1813, and who at the age of 
ten years removed to Indiana, and in that State 



grew to mature years, was educated and married, 
the maiden name of his wife being Mary Hunt. 
To their union a family of five children was 
given. He took up his residence near the city of 
La Porte, where he lost his wife, and was after- 
ward married to Miss Mar}' Cissne, the mother of 
tlie subject of this sketch. He was a successful 
tiller of the soil in Indiana, and continued to fol- 
low that useful, independent and honorable calling 
after his removal to Louisa County, Iowa, in 1853. 
He removed to Johnson County, Iowa, in the 
spring of 1864, at which time he brought with 
him his family, and purchased three eighty-acre 
tracts, one hundred and sixty acres of which he still 
owns, and on wiiich he resided until about 1888, 
when he removed to the town of West Liberty, 
where he is now making his home. The paternal 
grandfather, John Wagner, was a native of Penn- 
sylvania, and a son of Philip Wagner, who was a 
native of Germany, and who came to America 
when a young man, locating in the Keystone State, 
where man}' of his descendants still reside. 

Robert C. Wagner received his initiatory educa- 
tion in the common schools of Louisa County, 
Iowa, and as he was but fourteen years of age at 
the time of his removal to Johnson Count}', Iowa, 
he continued to be an attendant of the district 
schools for some time, his attendance being wholly 
confined to the winter mouths, however. He has 
been identified with the county's interests ever 
since locating here, and it can with truth be said that 
he has done as much as any citizen of his section, es- 
pecially among the younger class, in the way of 
the county's improvement and as a progressive, 
public-spirited and law-abiding citizen. In 1877 
he married Miss Thedora, daughter of Franklin 
Barnes, and one of Muscatine County's most es- 
timable and intelligent young ladies. Mr. and Mrs. 
Wagner at once embarked in business on their 
own responsibility, and are now the proud posses- 
sors of a fine tract of land, comprising one hundred 
and sixty acres, opposite the farm owned by the 
father, B. F. Wagner. Their place is exception- 
ally well improved with good fences, and excellent 
buildings, among which area pretty and comfort- 
able residence and substantial and commodious 
barns. The place shows every appearance of 




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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



425 



thrift and prosperity, and it can at once be seen 
that the proprietor of tlie place is a thoi'ough-go- 
ing, practical and energetic man, and one who 
tlioroughlj- understands his business. He and his 
wife have acquired quite a reputation for hospi- 
tality', and their home is a favorite meeting-place 
for the best citizens of the neighborhood. They 
are both conscientious members of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church, and politically, Mr. Wagner 
is a stanch Republican. Since 1887 he has 
been extensively engaged in breeding draught 
horses, owning some as fine animals as the county 
affords. Mr. Wagner has always been read3' to aid 
any undertaking tending to redound to the general 
good of the country, is a warm patron of education 
and liberal in liis support of cliurches and Chris- 
tian enterprises of all kinds. He and his wife are 
the parents of one child, a daughter, Olive P., who 
resides at home. 



e^^H^i 



W/OSEPII WALKER, one of the oldest and 
I best-known residents of Johnson County, 
^^ Iowa, is a man of unblemished reputation, 
>5^^ is intelligent and persevering, and for the 
past fifty years has been recognized as one of 
the most conservative business men of the sec- 
tion. He was born in Portage County, Oliio, his 
birth occurring in the year 1819, but his father, 
James, and his grandfather, Samuel Walker, were 
Virginians, and the latter was an active soldier 
of the Revolution. James Walker, Sr., was taken 
to Ohio b^' his parents in .an early day, and from 
that State he enlisted in the War of 1812, he and 
several of his elder brothers having also been 
soldiers in the War for Independence, their names 
being John and George. The other members of 
the family were Robert and Mary. 

James Walker removed from his native State 
of Virginia to Portage County, Ohio, in an early 
day, and was there married to Miss Mary Burnett, 
by whom lie l>ecame the father of nine children, 
all of whom grew to maturity. Robert, Naucv 



and Samuel, who are deceased, left families; 
James is a farmer of Fremont Township, Joiin- 
son County; Eliza comes next; Joseph resides 
in Pleasant Valley Township; the others are 
Laura, Fannie and Henry. Nancy married James 
Pennell in Ohio and left two sons; P^liza mar- 
ried Benjamin Wartinger, of Ohio; Laura mar- 
ried Henry Welch in Johnson County, Iowa, and 
now resides in Elk County, Kan.; and Fannie 
married George Walker, a resident of the county 
at that time, but a native of New York State. 
The father of these children came to Johnson 
County, Iowa, in 1840, and brought with them 
those children who had not preceded him. He lo- 
cated in Pleasant Valley Township, and there 
died in 1847, his widow surviving him but one 
year. He was a stanch Democrat, was perfectl}' 
conversant with the Bible, although not a mem- 
ber of an3' church, and was a strictly temperate 
man in every respect. He was a successful busi- 
ness man — honorable and upright in his methods 
of conducting his affairs, and was highly esteemed 
by all who had the honor of his acquaintance, or 
who had business dealings with him. 

Joseph Walker, whose name heads this sketch, 
came to Johnson County from Ohio in the fall of 
1837, and was married here ten years later to Jane 
Powellson, by whom he became the father of five 
children: Mary, wife of Martin Burge; Heniy, a 
prominent farmer of the county; Joseph, also a 
farmer here; McAlister and Emma, who still re- 
main under the shelter of the parental roof. 
Since 1860 Mr. Walker has been extensively en- 
gaged in feeding stock, being one of the first to 
eng.age in tliat enterprise, in which he has been 
remarkably successful. He has been long and 
worthily identified with the interests of Johnson 
County, and his prosperity indicates to a notice- 
able extent what 3'ears of industry and good man- 
agement will accomplish in the accumulation of a 
competence. 

Henry Walker, the youngest member of the 
family of James Walker, Sr., was born in Ohio in 
1829, and has made this county his home since 
he attained his eleventh year. He grew up on the 
farm which belonged to his parents. In 1849 he 
made the overland journey to California with 



426 



PORTRAIT AND BIOC^RAPIlICAL RECORD, 



four yoke of oxen, and during the four years 
that he remained in that countrj' the most of his 
time was spent in the mines. Upon returning to 
Iowa, via the Isthmus of Panama and New Or- 
leans, he brought with liim about $2,000, which 
he had earned during his absence, and purchased 
a farm in the township in which he now lives. 
He went on the principle that to accumulate he 
must be economical, and, although he is far from 
niggardly, he has made this one of the rules of 
his life, and the result maj' be seen in the mag- 
nificent farm of one thousand acres of which he 
is now the owner. 

In 1854 Mr. AValker was united in marriage 
with Harriet, daughter of John McC'omas, who 
came to the county in an earlj' day, and to the 
union of this couple two children were given: 
Laura, wife of William Fairall; and ^lny, who 
married Charles .Shelladay, whose father was among 
the first residents of Iowa Cit}^ Both daughters 
are residents of Johnson County. The mother of 
these children was called from this life in 1877, 
and two years later Mr. Walker took for his sec- 
ond wife Martha, daughter of David Sweet. Mr. 
Walker has alwa^^s been in sympathy with the 
Democratic part3% but has never been an aspirant 
for public oltice, his extensive business interests 
completely occupying his time and attention. He 
is a worthy citizen, a model farmer, neat and pro- 
gressive, and of decided views in conducting all 
his operations, and the success which he has met 
with all concede to be well merited. 



W/AMES DUNLAP. Among the well-to-do 
and enterprising farmers of Deer Creek 
Township, Poweshiek County, is he of whom 
we write, who h.is been a resident here since 
the spring of 1870, when he located on a tract of 
eighty acres situated on section 3, which he had 
purchased the year previously. He is now the 
possessor of two hundred and eighty acres, which 
he has greatly developed and improved. He is a 



thrifty and successful agriculturist and has made 
his own way in the world since his earl}' j'ears. 
His boyhood was passed on a farm, his educational 
advantages being those of the district schools. 
On reaching his majority, he left the home fireside, 
his first employment being on the arduous occupa- 
tion of chopping wood during the winter and 
burning eharcoal. In 1862 he removed to Bureau 
County, 111., renting land for seven j'ears. It is 
cntireh' to his native characteristics of industry 
and well-directed energj' that his success maj' be 
traced, for he has been a hard worker all his life 
and has made investments with good judgment. 
Our subject was born January 17, 1837, in Liberty- 
Township, Bedford County, Pa., and is a son of 
one of the early and honored pioneers of that 
region. His parents were William and Elizabeth 
(Zink) Dunlap. His paternal grandfather, James 
Dunlap, was of Welsh origin on his father's side, 
while his mother was of Irish descent. He was 
born in Lancaster County, Pa., and served during 
the War of 1812. He was a Democrat politically, 
and served in a number of township offices. In 
religious faith he was a Dunkard. His family 
comprised five sons and three daughters: James, 
John, William, David, Andrew J., Mary J., Eliza- 
beth and Sarah. 

Our subject's father was born January 16, 18(17, 
in Bedford County, Pa., where he resided during 
his entire life. He was a blacksmith and well- 
known farmer in that locality. In political faith, 
he was a Democrat and with his wife was an ac- 
tive member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 
The latter was also a native of the same county, 
her parents, Samuel and Catherine (Hanawalt) 
Zink, being natives of Pennsj'lvania and of Ger- 
man origin. They removed West at an early day, 
first locating in Licking Count}', Ohio, and about 
1845 removing to Bureau Count}', 111., where the 
father died shortly after the war. He was an ex- 
tensive farmer and stock-raiser, a member of the 
ISIethodist Episcopal Church and politically a Re- 
publican. Mrs. Dunlap died in the Keystone State, 
and of her family of fifteen children fourteen 
lived to matui-e j'ears. Samuel is deceased, and the 
others in the order of birth are as follows: James; 
George, and Harry, lioth of whom were in the ser- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



427 



vice of the late war; Joseph C, John H., William 
L., Levi, Margaret J., Marv, Hannah (who died 
when four j^ears old), Catherine, Belle, Susan and 
Sadie A. 

James Dunlap was married October 31, 1861, to 
Mary J. Clark, who was born in Huntingdon 
County, Pa., and is a daughter of James and Mar- 
garet (Abbott) Clark, natives of Pennsylvania. 
The father was an agriculturist and a son of 
Tiiomas Clark, also a farmer and of Irish origin. 
He was a member of the Dunkard Ciiurch, and 
politiealI_y was formerly a Whig and later a Re- 
publican. To our subject and wife have been 
born four children: Addie, wife of John H. Rob- 
son; Ella E., William R. and Clark J. The family 
is held in the highest respect in this community 
and moves in the best social circles. Mr. Dunlap 
is a stanch supporter of the Republican party and 
well merits the friendsliip and respect which are 
so truly his. 



-^--^>^^<i 



^ WILLIAM IIAGENLOCK. Among the en- 
\/\l// terprising farmers of Poweshiek County 
™v)y is the gentleman whose name heads tliis 
sketcii, and who owns a well-cultivated farm on 
section 20. Sheridan Township. He is a native of 
Russia, having been born near the city of Siniph- 
eropol, where he was reared until reaching the 
age of eighteen years, and spent his time in assist- 
ing his father to carrj' on the farm. In 1875 he 
crossed the Atlantic, landing in New York after a 
voyage of thirteen days in the vessel "Zirabri." 
While making the journej' he was taken quite ill, 
and was placed in the hospital for a short time in 
Castle Garden. After his recovery lie proceeded 
Westward to Iowa, and for ten months was en- 
gaged in farming by the month near Davenport. 
After that he removed to Poweshiek County, and 
for six j-ears worked out for neighboring farmers. 
By this time he had made up his mind to make 
this count}^ his permanent home, and stcidily, 
3'ear by year, laid b}' a considerable sum, which he 



invested in 1881, becoming the owner of his pres- 
ent farm of one hundred and sixty acres, for which 
he paid #3,200. Since becoming the owner of 
this farm he has made a great many improvements 
on the place, and it is safe to say that it is worth 
double what lie originally purchased it for. 

Our subject was united in marriage in 1882 to 
Lucy Baltisberger, formerly of Malcom Township. 
To them were born three children, a son and two 
daughters, Waldemar, Lydia and Elfrida. On 
December 24. 1891, our subject was again married. 
Miss Annie Ahrens, of Sheridan Township, then 
becoming his wife. Mr. llageulock has served as 
President of the School Board, which position he 
still retains, and is also Commissioner of High- 
ways. Both himself and wife are members of the 
Evangelical Lutheran Church, and the former is, 
politically, a Democrat. His attention is largelj' 
devoted to the raising of grain, but lie also makes 
a specialty of high-grade Poland-China hogs. As 
.an agriculturist he has been very successful, as he 
has followed that calling since his early boyhood. 

The subject of this sketch is a son of Ludwig 
Hagenlock, who is a retired farmer and a resident 
of Marshalltown, Iowa. His wife was formerly 
Miss Barbara Simani, and of their marriage were 
born four sons and five daughters. Ernest, the 
eldest in tlie family, is married and a resident of 
Butte City, Mont., where he is now Superintend- 
ent of an orphan asylum. Frederick, the third 
in the family, died in Poweshiek County. Chris- 
tian, the youngest son, resides in Canada. 



^ss^^^mm 



m^^m 



eHAULES W. CONOVER, an able, energetic 
and representative general agriculturist 
of Johnson County, Iowa, is widely known 
as an upright citizen, interested in local progress 
and improvements. Ati old-time resident of Iowa, 
he has for the p.ast ten years lived constantly upon 
his homestead in Scott Township, located on sec- 
tion 35, and for a half-score of j'ears has been 
prominently identified with the advancement of 



428 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



the leading interests of bis neigliboihood. Our 
subject was born in New Jersey, August 16, 1825, 
and was the son of James and Hannah (Shepard) 
Conover, well known in New Jersey, of which 
State the parents were botli natives. They were 
reared within its borders, and there were educated 
and married. The mother, Mrs. Hannah Conover, 
passed away in her native .State many years ago. 

James Conover, the father of our subject, 
was born in Monmouth County, N. J., and also 
died in his lifetime home. The paternal grand- 
fatlicr, Richard Conover, was an early resident of 
New Jersey, and a citizen of extended usefulness 
and intluence. Charles W. Conover, tiioroughly 
appreciating the advantages offered by the broad 
AVest,came in matured manhood to Johnson Coun- 
ty, Iowa, and settling in what is now Lincoln 
Township, continued to reside there until 1862, 
when he removed to Muscatine County, of tlie 
same State, and spent three years in that part of 
Iowa. At the expiration of that time the excite- 
ment caused b}' the generous supplies of the oil 
wells of Pennsylvania was at its height and drew 
our subject tiiither. For ten years Mr. Conover 
resided in the oil regions of the Quaker State, 
then returning to Johnson County, again located 
upon a farm in Lincoln Township, and once more 
resuming agricultural duties, for seven years prof- 
itably tilled the fertile soil of his farm. In about 
1882 our subject came to his present valuable 
home farm in Scott Township. 

Some time before Mr. Conover first located in 
Iowa, he was, upon July 22, 1854, united in mar- 
riage with Miss Beulali Coudrick, also a native 
of New Jersey, who was born December 6, 1828. 
Mrs. Conover, a most estimable lady, was a member 
of one of the best families of New Jersey and re- 
ceived excellent educational advantages in her 
birthplace, and, reared to attractive womanhood 
in the home of her childhood, there entered 
into the marriagejrelation. Spending the next 
few years in New Jersey she afterward accom- 
panied her husband to the West, and in the vari- 
ous locations in which she has resided has gained 
many true friends. The home of our subject and 
his wife was blessed by the birth of two daugh- 
ters, of whom but one now survives, Grace E. 



Jennie, a lovely young girl, lived to be eighteen 
years of age and then passed away, her death 
bringing sorrow not alone to her parents and 
relatives, but also to a large circle of true friends, 
with whom her memory is j'et green. Mr. and 
Mrs. Conover are participants in the social and 
benevolent enterprises of their township and ac- 
tive in good work. Our subject has never been 
a politician, but he is interested in local and na- 
tional issues and, an earnest advocate of progress 
and reform, does his full duty as a tr\ie American 
citizen. 



■r^m- 



^ 



)y)ALENTINE MUELLER, the subject of this 
sketch, a worthy citizen of Coralville, West 
Lucas Township, Johnson Count}-, Iowa, 
and proprietor of the Coral Mill, of that place, was 
born in the southern part of Germany, July 12, 
1834. He is the son of Valentine and Anna 
(Trummel) Mueller, both natives of Gauer, Ger- 
many, the former dying at the age of sixty-six 
and the latter at sixtj'-five. They were the par- 
ents of six children, two daughtei-s and four sons, 
all of whom grew to maturity, namely: Valentine, 
our subject; Mathew, who died in 1892; Adam, 
who died in Johnson County in 1882; Jacob, living 
in the Old Country; Agnes, who died at the age 
of forty, and Anna, living in the Old Country. 

Our subject is the eldest child and the only 
member of the familj' of brothers and sisters liv- 
ing in this country. He was reared upon the farm 
until he was eighteen, when he emigrated to the 
United States, settling at Rochester, N. Y., where 
he remained about ten months, and then came to 
Johnson County, and worked ten years for Gov. 
Kirkwood upon the dam across the Iowa River, 
at Coralville, and in the mill of Clark & Kirk- 
wood, at Coralville. In 1863 he went to Mar- 
shalltown, Iowa, where he bought the gristmill, 
for which he paid ?!12,000, and he sold it in 186!t 
for 830,000. After disposing of this property he 
came to Coralville and bought the mill he now 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



429 



owns from M. F. Close it Bro., which he lias run 
ever since. The mill has a capacity of one hun- 
dred barrels a day of twenty-four hours, and is 
doing a very fine business. 

Mr. Mueller w.as married J,uly 20, 1863, to Min- 
nie Schciler, a native of Germany, who came to 
this country when seventeen years of age. They 
arc the parents of seven children, five of whom 
are daughters and two are sons, namely: AVilliam, 
Ida, Laura, Minnie, Freddie, May and Emma. Mr. 
Mueller is the official miller in the county, and 
lielped to build the first mill across the river at 
Coralville. He has rebuilt it three different times, 
and has erected a large four-story and basement mill 
for his business. He was a Republican until 1888, 
when he became a Democrat. Mr. Mueller is a 
member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, 
the Masonic order, and the United Workmen, of 
Iowa City. 



JT| OIIN HINK is engaged in cultivating his 
I arable farm of one hundred and sixty acres 
l| on section 30, .Sheridan Township, and 
^^^ eighty acres on section 25, Chester Town- 
ship, Poweshiek County. He is a native of 
Germany, having been born September 19, 1839. 
Until reaching his twenty-eighth jear he engaged 
in farming in the Fatherland, crossing the Atlantic 
in 1868, and after landing at New York City went 
to Henry Count}', 111., hiring out as a farm hand 
for five years near Geneseo. As he had heard 
glowing accounts of the West, he wisely concluded 
to follow Horace Greeley's advice and located in 
this county. He became the owner of one hun- 
dred and sixty acres, for which he paid flO an acre, 
and which is the very farm where he still resides. 
Two j-ears later he purchased another eighty-acre 
tract not far from his former farm. He had made, 
his original purchase in company with two brothers, 
they buj'ing up half a section and afterward divid- 
ing it. On his farm Mr. Ilink has since erected 
an elegant residence, and has made all liie im- 



provements in buildings on the place. He has 
also a commodious barn built on a modern plan 
and capable of holding large crops. His land is 
all under cultivation, but his principal business is 
that of stock-raising, as he makes a specialty of 
Shorthorn cattle and Poland-China hogs. More- 
over, he keeps the best grade of horses, and is 
greatly interested in that noble animal. 

January 18, 187-1, Mr. Hink was married to 
Carlena Readisch, a native of New York State, 
and of this union have been born nine children, 
three sons and six daughters: John; Harry: Mat- 
tie, who is the wife of Jacob Keysou,of this town- 
ship; George, deceased; Trena, Eliza, Francisco, 
Wilhelmina and llattie. Mr. and Mrs. Hink are 
devoted members of the German Lutheran Church, 
and the former is a School Director in this dis- 
trict. The land which he formerly purchased at 
llO an acre he now considers worth 150 an acre, 
which difference is accounted for not only by the 
rapid tide of immigration which has since set 
Westward, but is also greatly owing to the years 
of assiduous toil, cultivation and im[)rovement he 
has bestowed upon it. In his political faith, he is 
a Democrat. 

John Hink, the subject of our sketcli.is the sou 
of Henry Hink, a native of Hanover, Germany, 
who was for many jears engaged in fanning near 
that commercial center. He had a family of 
five children beside our subject: Peter, who is 
farming in Germany, on the old homestead; Cas- 
ton, a farmer of this count}'; Otto, who resides 
in Deimisou, Crawford County, Iowa; Henry, a 
farmer in Chester Township; and Mattie, who is 
married and lives in Germany. 



"JIJOHN BULECHEK, a prosperous and rei)re- 
sentative general agi'iculturist and success- 
ful stock-raiser of Johnson Count}', Iowa, 
resides at No. 432 Reno Street. Iowa City. 
Our subject is of a long line of German ancestry, 
both of his parents being natives of Holiemia. The 



430 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



father, Frank Bulecbek, and the mother, Anna 
(Beduer) Bulechek, born in southeastern Germany, 
in the mountainous country ot Bohemia, there 
passed the days of cliildhood, received a primary 
education in the national schools, and, having ar- 
rived at mature age, were married. Not long after 
their marriage, the worthy couple determined to 
try their fortunes in the country of liberty beyond 
the sea, and in 1854, with their treasured posses- 
sions, they embarked for America, and, swiftly 
crossing the broad Atlantic, landed safely on our 
shores. 

Journeying from the great metropolis of New 
York direct to Iowa, Mr. and Mrs. Bulechek lo- 
cated in Linn County, where the mother passed 
away. The father, surviving, afterward made 
his home in Johnson County, where he died 
some years later. Our subject was born in Linn 
Country, and was the third of the five children 
who gathered around the family hearth of his par- 
ents' homestead, and was born April 17, 1859. He 
was reared upon his father's farm in Linn Countj^, 
and there, trained in habits of intelligent thrift 
and industry, assisted in the duties of agriculture 
and received some schooling in the home district, 
remaining with his parents until he had attained 
early manhood. Upon February 15, 1881, in 
Jolinson County, Iowa, John Bulechek was united 
in marriage with Miss Barbara Sworner, a native 
of Bohemia, and an attractive lady of ability and 
intelligence. The parents of Mrs. Bulechek, Albert 
and Kate (Ulch) Sworner, were both Bohemians 
by birth and descendants of old German families, 
whose ancestry for many generations past spent 
their quiet, uneventful lives in Germany. 

Mrs. Barbara Bulechek was but seven years of age 
when her father and mother emigrated to America, 
and, extending th\sir journey to the Western States, 
settled in Johnson County, Iowa, where they still 
continue to reside and are numbered among the 
useful and law-abiding citizens of their home neigh- 
borhood, and are highly esteemed and respected. 
Immediately following the marriage of our subject 
and his wife they made their home in Linn County, 
where they resided until March, 1892. At the lat- 
ter date they removed to Johnson County, and 
settled upon the valuable farm, which, mostly un- 



der a high state of cultivation, is well improved 
with substantial and commodious buildings and a 
comfortable country residence. Four children have 
blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Bulechek. Frank, 
the eldest of the brothers and sisters, was born 
October 23, 1881; Robert was born June 5, 1885; 
Emma, July 20, 1887;and Anna G., .January 1, 1890. 
Our subject and his wife and bright and promising 
children enjoy the good-will and best wishes of a 
host of friends. Mr. and ISIrs. Bulechek are both 
members of the Roman Catholic Church and are 
foremost m the good works of that religious de- 
nomination. They occupy a position of useful- 
less and, prosperously winning their upward way, 
are preparing their children to worthily fulfill the 
duties of life and adorn the station in which they 
are placed. 



',I/_ E. PATTERSON is one of the oldest es- 
fjV tablislied merchants of Marengo, and dur- 
1^)^ ing the many years tha* he has remained 
(^) in this section he has become known and 
appreciated as a man who devotes his entire time 
and energies to the task of faithfully conducting 
his b'usiness affairs on correct ])rinciples. He was 
born on the green isle of Erin in County Tyrone, 
June 28, 1834, and in the land of his birth made 
his home until he was seventeen years of age. His 
father, George Patterson, still resides there and 
conducts a stone quarry and follows the trade of a 
carpenter, being a very successful builder of 
bridges, in the capacity of a road contractor. 
He was married in Ireland to Rachel Johnson, a 
daughter of William Johnson, a farmer of the "old 
sod" and a Scotchman by descent. The paternal 
grandfather, Mark Pattersoni, though born in Ire- 
land, was also of Scotch lineage and became the 
owner of a large farm, and until his death held the 
responsible position of County Collector, after 
which his son Mark assumed the responsibilities of 
the office. George Patterson has now attained the 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



431 



advanced age of eighty 3'ears and is yet hale and 
heart}', but his wife died in 1845. Tlieir union 
resulted in the birth of one son and six daughters, 
of which family only three members now survive, 
of wliom the subject of this sketch is the eldest. 

H. E. Patterson was brought up upon his father's 
farm in Ireland, during which time he became 
familiar with tlie details of that work, and also ob- 
tained a i)ractical common-school education. When 
he had attained the age of seventeen he left the 
land of his birth and the scenes of his childhood 
to seek his fortune in America, taking passage at 
Belfast foi- Liverpool and from there on a sailing- 
vessel under Capt. Knight for America. After re- 
maining two months in the city of New York, he 
removed to Cleveland and from there to Chagrin 
Falls, where he obtained employment in a cheese 
factor}' and attended school for three months iu 
the Asbury Seminary. He was married in Cleve- 
land, iu 1856, to Miss Caroline Negglie, who was 
born and reared in Switzerland, and soon after the 
celebration of his marriage he came to Iowa and 
was engaged in farming and stock-raising in the 
vicinity of Marengo until 1859, when he estab- 
lished himself in the town, from which time until 
his enlistment in the Union army in 1862 he fol- 
lowed other occupations. He became a member of 
Company B, Twenty-eighth Iowa Infaiilrj', being 
mustered in as a private at Iowa City and was sent 
South, participating in several raids in Mississippi, 
among which were Coldwater and Oakland. He 
was in the expedition up the Red River, at Du- 
vall's Bluff, siege of Vicksburg, Yazoo River, Mil- 
liken 's Bend, Champion Hill, Black River and Port 
Gibson. Mr. Patterson was wounded in the left 
leg, the bone being splintered, but he remained 
with his company until his recovery. He was then 
mustered out and sent to St. Louis, where he re- 
mained some time, then rejoined his regiment and 
participated in the Red River expedition, being iu 
the engagement at Sabine Cross Roads. After his 
return to New Orleans, he was transferred to the 
Veteran Reserve Corps and was on duty iu Wash- 
ington, D. C, until the close of the war, being 
honorably discharged there .Tune 28, 1865, with 
the rank of Corporal. 

Upon his return to Marengo, he entered the era- 



ploy of the Ketchum Lumber Compan}-, with which 
he has since been prominently and successfully 
connected. He is the oldest lumberman in Iowa 
County and, as his many friends say, "what he does 
not know in the way of lumber, is not worth the 
knowing." He has a good farm of one hundred 
and fifteen acres near Marengo, but rents this 
place and lives in town, adjoining which he has a 
tract of thirty acres. He is President of the Ket- 
chum Hotel Company, is a charter member and the 
present Commander of John Dillon Post No. 233, 
G. A. R., a position he filled acceptably once be- 
fore. Politically, he has always been a fervent 
Republican. His family consisted of six children: 
J. George, in business in Maiengo; Alice M. (Mrs. 
W. Wetmore), of Wichita, Kan.; Ida C. (Mrs. Bos- 
ley), of Ladora, Iowa; William T., who is deceased; 
Charles E., ou a ranch in Colorado; and Annie E., 
at home. 



sentative general agriculturist and success- 
ful stock-raiser of Johnson County, Iowa 
^} came with his parents to Scott Township 
iu the spring of 1850, and with the exception of a 
very brief period has been a permanent resident 
in his present locality for forty-three years. From 
early youth identified with the growth of public 
enterprise, he has since attaining manhood actively 
participated iu local affairs, and as Township 
Trustee has materially aided in the promotion of the 
best interests of the community and worthily won 
the esteem of the general public. C)ur subject was 
born iu Coshocton County, Ohio, August 8, 1845, 
and was therefore but four years old when, in the 
winter of 1849, his father and mother, Benjamin 
and Jane (Love) Graham, came with their two little 
children to Iowa City and there spent the season 
prior to the beginning of their long residence in 
Scott Township. 

The father, the late Benjamin Graham, was a 



432 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



native of County Tyrone, Ireland, bora March 4, 
1816, and was an infant of three weeks when his 
l)areuts embarked for America. He passed his 
early youth in Pennsylvania, but when about 
seventeen years of age he accompanied his father 
and mother to Coshocton County, Ohio, where, at- 
taining his majority, he soon after married. Two 
little ones had blessed the home with their i)res- 
ence, a son and daugliter, Robert B. and Caroline S., 
now Mrs. Abner Bradley, before with wife and 
children he journeyed to Johnson County in 1849. 
JSettling in the spring of 1850 upon the land 
which he had purchased in Scott Township, he 
continued to reside tliere, with the exception of 
one year when he lived in Iowa City, until his 
death. He was a cabinet-maker by trade and an 
accomplished workman, but from the time he lo- 
cated permanently in Scott Township he devoted 
himself to agricultural i)ursuits. 

As a tiller of the soil Benjamin Graham was 
abundantly prospered, owning at the close of his 
life one thousand and thirteen acres of excellent 
land. He was a valued member of the Presbyte- 
rian Church and contributed liberally to the sup- 
port and extension of religious influence. Fore- 
most in benevolent enterprises and actively inter- 
ested in the progress of the township, liis death 
was mourned as a public loss when, upon the 18th of 
April, 1882, lie passed awaj'. His wife, the mother 
of our subject, was born .July 11, 1818, and yet 
survives her husband. Robert B. was the eldest of 
six children, of whom one son and three daughters 
were born in .Johnson Countj'. Mr. Graham re- 
ceived a common-school education in the schools 
of Scott Township, afterward enjo.ying a six- 
months course of instruction in the State Univer- 
sity. For two years he was the owner and man- 
ager of a machine shop in Iowa City, but with 
this exception has given his entire attention to 
farming in Scott Township witli most profitable 
results. 

Our subject was married in Muscatine County, 
Iowa, December 14, 1871, to Miss Nancy A. Prin- 
gey, a native of Pennsylvania, born in Somerset 
t'ounty November 12, 18.52. Her father, .Jonathan 
Pringey, born .June 9, 1818, and lier mother, Elsie 
(Colburn) Pringey, were both natives of the 



Quaker State, but later made their home in Iowa, 
the mother dying in Muscatine County in 1868. 
The family of Mr. and Mrs. .Jonathan Pringey con- 
sisted of three sons and four daughters, Mrs. Gra- 
iiam being the fourth child in order of birth. 
Seven children brightened the home circle of Mr. 
and Mrs. Graham, of whom but five are now 
living: Luella, Harry L., Albert B., Leroy and 
Laura E. Charles R. died at four years of age and 
one p.assed away in infancy. The homestead, whose 
extensive acreage is located upon section 27, is 
noted as the abode of hospitality and is the scene 
of many a social gathering, the parents and their 
entire family possessing the universal regard and 
high esteem of a host of old-time acquaintances. 
No man in all the country round has a larger store 
of delightful and entertaining reminiscences of 
earl}' days in .Johnson County than our subject, 
who although only advanced to middle life has 
witnessed the development of the unbroken prai- 
ries of the State into the waving cornfields whose 
golden wealth of harvest has so well repaid the 
patient tillers of Iowa's fertile soil. Fraternally, 
Mr. Graham is associated with the Ancient Free & 
Accepted Masons and is also an honored member 
of the Farmers' Alliance. 



f^^ L. MORTLAND, editor and proprietor of 
Itj^i^ the Montezuma Democrat, was born in Butler 
ll^\ County, Pa., December I, 1838, a son of Rob- 
^ ert Mortland, born in the same county, of 
Protestant-Irish ancestry. He grew to manhood in 
that State and pursued the occupation of a farmer 
until his death. His wife, Jlargaret (Cumberland) 
Mortland, was also born in Butler County, Pa. Our 
subject, who was the youngest of four children, 
was reared in his native count}', and remained at 
home until he engaged in wood-chopping and mak- 
ing charcoal at Maple Furnace, remaining there for 
some time. Later he engaged in lumbering in the 
oil regions and m boating on the river until 1864, 
when he removed to lUinois, settling in Mercer 





li 




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



435 



County, where he engaged in farming and carpen- 
tering until 1868. In the spring of that year he 
came to Povveshielv County, farmed one year, and 
in 1869 located in Montezuma and engaged in dif- 
ferent kinds of manual labor, Anally becoming a 
contractor for bridges and buildings, which calling 
he puisued from 1875 to 1889, constructing many 
bridges in this and adjoining counties. 

In 1889, Mr. Mortland purchased a half -interest 
in the Democrat, and so convinced was lie that the 
plant was a good one, that August 1 of the same 
year he became the sole proprietor of the paper. 
This paper is a newsy little sheet, devoted to the 
interests of the Democratic party, although many 
of its subscribers are outside the party, and its local 
news alone makes it very valuable to those who 
desire the news of Montezuma and vicinity. The 
Democrat is a nine-column folio and is issued weekly. 
In connection with the paper Mr. Mortland has a 
job-printing office. The marriage of our subject 
took ijlace in Franklin, Pa., in the fall of 1864, 
with Miss Ruth A. Webber, born in Venango, Pa. 
Seven children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. 
Mortland, namely: Margaret J., Mahala T., Robert 
A., .James A., Inez, Mazelia and Ruth, all of whom 
are at home. 



LFRED R. OHL, of Andrews, Oiil A' Com- 
pany, ably represents his firm in Oasis, 
C4raham Township, and, a man of fine 
(^ business attainments, enjoys an extended 

reputation as a financial manager, having by his 
own unaided efforts already acquired a handsome 
property, owning several hundred acres of valu- 
able land. Honored and highly regarded by 
the community among whom he has passed so 
man}' years, our subject has held positions of offi- 
cial trust, and deeply interested in educational 
advancement has been a most important factor in 
tlie promotion of higher grades of scholarship and 
instruction in the schools of Graham Township. 
Mr. Ohl was born in Pike County, Pa., .Tanuary 15, 

20 



1841, and passed the years of early boyhood in his 
birllipl.ace, at fifteen 3'ears of age removing with 
his father to Johnson County, Iowa. 

It was in August, 1856, that father and son ar- 
rived in the Western State destined to be the life- 
time home of the young lad. Our subject re- 
mained with his father until the Civil AVar caused 
the national Government to issue its appeal for 
aid, when Alfred R. Ohl with his brave ardor en- 
listed in September, 1861, in Company B, Four- 
teenth Iowa Infantry, from whicii, after one and 
one-half years, he was transferred to the Seventh 
Iowa Cavalry. He did efficient and continued ser- 
vice on the frontier until December, 1864, when ho 
received his honorable discharge and returned to 
his home in .Johnson County. For several suc- 
ceeding years our subject engaged exclusively in 
farming duties, and it was not until 1876 that he 
enlarged his scope of business, at which time he 
entered into partnership with William Andrews, 
buying and shipping grain, stock and seeds and 
handling lumber, wagons and agricultural imple- 
ments, buggies, coal and rock salt. Andrews & 
Ohl continuing profitably in this line of trade, in 
September, 1880, further extended their interests, 
then admitting to the firm S. H. Hemsted, well 
and favorably known to the communities of Gra- 
ham Township. 

Mr. Ohl settled in Oasis in 1881, and manag- 
ing the affairs of his firm at this end of the line 
and doing an extensive business in each depart- 
ment of trade, is especially successful in the hand- 
ling of large quantities of lumber. The outlook 
for the future of the already prosperous company 
is most promising and indicates a success far be- 
yond first anticipations. Mr. Ohl has a pleasant 
homestead upon section 26, Graham Township. 
He has been twice married, and was first united 
in marriage in Cedar County, Iowa, with Miss 
Sarah Embree, who was a native of Ohio. This 
estimable lady passed away in Graham Town- 
ship. The second wife of our subject was Mrs. 
Hannah Thompson, widow of .James W. Thomp- 
son, and in maidenhood Miss Hannah Swain, a na- 
tive of New Jersey. Mr. and Mrs. Ohl have two 
children, David W., who married Miss L. Cherry, 
and Charles W., the youngest son. Our subject 



436 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



and his wife are a unit in their sj-mpathj- and as- 
sistance in benevolent work and are ever ready to 
aid in wortliy enterprise. Fraternally Mr. Ohl is 
a member of the Ancient Free & Accepted Ma- 
sons, and botli witliin and without that ancient 
order has a host of friends. lie and his family 
Iiold an enviable social position and are univer- 
sally respected and esteemed by the general pub- 
lic. Mrs. Ohl, who is a lady of a high order of in- 
telligence and ability, together with her husband, 
takes an active interest in the affairs of the nation, 
and altiiough years have flown since our subject, 
then in the dawn of early manhood, enlisted in his 
country's service, he is to-day, as then, a true, 
earnest and p;vtriotic.\merican citizen. 



AKIEL F. HAYS, a prominent and success- 
ful general agriculturist, owning a valu- 
{@>^' ^'"'^ farm of two hundred and forty acres, 
desirably located upon sections 3 and 4, 
Chester Township, Poweshiek County', Iowa, is one 
of the early settlers of this part of the Ilawkeye 
State, .and is universally esteemed for his ability 
and upright character. Our subject is a native of 
Maryland, and, born in Frederick County in 1834, 
is descended from a long line of American an- 
cestry, but the Hays were originally natives of 
England, where Joseph Hays some two centuries 
ago kept a butchering establishment in Liverpool. 
Ills son, Jonathan Hays, w.as born January 16, 
1685, there grew up to manhood and became a 
sea-captain, following the ocean for many years, 
but he finally sold his commission, during the 
reign of Queen Anne, and came to Philadelphia, 
where he engaged in teaching school. He there 
eloped with, and married, the daughter of a 
(Quaker, Miss Elizabeth Elliot, who was born March 
17, 1690, and became the mother of twelve sons, 
among whom was Jonathan Hays, who was born 
January 16, 1729, and emigrated to Frederick 
County, Md. Some time after locating in the 
Sunn}' South, .Tonathan Hays, the younger, met 



and was united in marriage with Miss Mary Hen- 
derson, born June 17, 1732, a lad}' of worth, and 
of Scotch descent. To this husband and wife were 
born two daughters and three sons, who survived 
to mature years. Of the twelve sons of their 
grandfather, several served with distinguished gal- 
lantry in the War of the Revolution. 

Five children blessed the home of .lonatlian 
and Mary (Henderson) Hays. Elizabeth mar- 
ried Thomas Wilson, and settled in the West- 
ern Reserve in Maryland, and most of their de- 
scendants now reside in Keokuk, Iowa; John lo- 
cated in West Virginia, and there reai'cd a family; 
Joseph, who was born October 18, 1760, made his 
home in Carroll County, Md., and was tvvice mar- 
ried, having five children by his first union, and 
two by his second; Thomas, who was born May 
21, 1791, spent his life in Frederick County, Md., 
having married Elizabeth Armstrong, and reared a 
family of si.x children; Abraham, who was born 
]May 13, 1794, lived and died in Frederick County, 
Md., and there unto him and his wife, Henrietta 
Musgrove, were born and survived to adult age 
three children: Elizabeth E., who was born Au- 
gust 16, 1800, married John Ham, and afttr his 
death, came to Poweshiek County, where she died; 
Deborah, who was born April 1, 1803, and died sin- 
gle. The latter came to Grinnell in an early day, 
when there were but sixty inhabitants, and was ac- 
companied by a slave, who died there, having faith- 
fully remained in tlic service of his mistress, who 
survived until 1886. Joseph Hays, the third child, 
was born in what is now known as Carroll County, 
Md., November 1, 180.5; he attained to manhcjod 
in his birthplace, and was in his native count}' 
married to Miss Elizabeth Fuss, May 1, 1833. He 
was a blacksmith by trade, and carried on this 
business until the year 1856, when he journeyed 
to Poweshiek County, Iowa, bringing with him his 
family of four children. Daniel F. was the eldest; 
Deborah died in this county in 1858; Joseph T. is 
now a farmer of this county; and Thomas H. is 
also an agriculturist of Chester Township. 

The mother of these children died in Maryland 
in 1846, and the brothers and sisters were reared 
by an aunt, Elizabeth Ham. The father, after ar- 
riving in his Western home, followed farming, 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



437 



and yet surviving, now resides with our subject, 
liis son, Daniel F., who was twenty-two years old 
when he settled in Poweshiek County. Imme- 
diately upon tiie breaking out of the Civil War, 
Daniel F. Hays espoused the cause of the Union, 
and bravely enlisted in September, 1862, in Com- 
pany E, Fourth Iowa Cavalry, wliieh regiment af- 
terward veteranized. The first general engage- 
ment in which the command participated was un- 
der Grant, at Jackson, Miss., at the siege of Vicks- 
burg, and until the close of the war the regiment 
took an active part in the numerous and decisive 
battles of the long campaign. It was upon June 
17, 1865, after years of faithful duty courageously 
performed, that our subject was honorably mus- 
tered out of the service of the Government at 
Nashville, Tenn. At once returning to his home, 
Mr. Hays entered again into the pursuit of agri- 
culture in Poweshiek County. Later he met Miss 
Susan B. Weller, daughter of Thomas and Sophia 
AVeller, old-time residents of the Maryland home. 
The young lady had come to visit her sister, Mrs. 
P. Danner, of Grinnell, and there the old friend- 
ship was renewed, and in December, 1867, Miss 
Weller became the wife of our subject. Of the six 
children born to Mr. and Mrs. Hays, five survive: 
Joseph W., who was educated in the college at 
Griunell, and who is a graduate of Mt. Vernon 
school, in the Class of '90, is the eldest-born. Since 
completing his studies, he has devoted himself to 
newspaper work. Harvey G. is now a promising 
student in the Mt. Vernon School. Rosa D. was 
educated in Grinnell, and is an accomplished 
young lady, and teaches school in Chester Town- 
ship. Charles W. is attending school at Griunell. 
Gracie, a bright miss, is also in school. The sixth 
little one died iu infancy. 

The Hays family came to Chester Township, 
April 19, 1858, when but two houses had been 
erected in the township, although there were sev- 
eral siianties in temporary use. The third house 
built was occupied by the father of our subject, 
who purchased a farm of two hundred and fort^' 
acres, this homestead now being in the possession 
of Daniel F. Foremost in aiding in public im- 
provements, the Hays have directly or indirectly 
assisted in the building of every schoolhouse and 



bridge in the township, and are all connected with 
the Methodist Episcopal Churcli and active in tiie 
good works of that denomination. Politicall3', the 
family were in early days Whigs, but since the 
formation of the Republican party are steadfast to 
its principles and vote that ticket, pledged to re- 
form and progress. Among the branches of the 
family widely known were the early settlers of 
Tennessee, Samuel Hays and his son, John Coffee 
Hays, who was one of the heroes of the Mexican 
War. No family has done more important service in 
the settlement of the State of Iowa than the family 
of which our subject is an honored representative. 
Intimately identified with the enterprises and pro- 
gressive interests of Poweshiek County from its 
pioneer days, Daniel F. Hajs is widely known and 
highly esteemed, commanding the full confidence 
of the host of old-time friends and acquaintances, 
with whom he has for so many years labored in be- 
half of the mutual welfare of their home locality. 
As a civilian and a soldier, our subject has been 
true to his God and iiis country, and earnest, ener- 
getic and enterprising, is a faithful American citi- 
zen. 



AMUEL H. YODER. This work would, 
with reason, be considered incomplete were 
not considerable mention made of the gen- 
tleman whose name heads this sketch, and 
of the three hundred and seventeen acres of 
which he is tlie owner, which are in first-class con- 
dition and carefully improved. He is a model 
farmer in every particular, and his constancy to 
tlie business in hand and his thrift have added 
greatly to the value of the agricultural regions of 
Johnson Count3'. He was born in Centre County, 
Pa., July 31, 1828, his father, Henry Yoder, having 
been born in Somerset County of that State, as 
was also his grandfather, whose name was Henry. 
The latter died in Somerset County, after having 
followed the life of a farmer, to which calling his 
son Henry also gave his attention, after starting 
out to make his own way in the world. He re- 



438 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



moved to Mifflin County, Pa., where he married, 
then went to Centre County of llic same State, and 
in 1833, took up his residence in Wa3ne County, 
Ohio, wheic he became possessed of two hundred 
and forty acres of good land. There he made a 
comfortalile home for himself and family, and died 
at the age of seventy-eight j-eai'S, nine months and 
twenty-one da^-s. His wife was formerly Miss 
Ann Yoder, whose native county was Somerset, 
Pa., although she was reared in Mifflin County. She 
died at the age of ninety-one years, a member of 
the Omish Church, as was her husband. 

Samuel II. Yoder was the youngest of his par- 
ents' nine children and was five 3-ears old at the 
time they located in Wa}'ne County-. His educa- 
tion was obtained in the old log schoolhouse of 
his youth, and was of a i)raclical and useful kind, 
calculated to be of material benefit to him when 
starting out to make his own way in the world, 
which he did at the age of twenty-two years. His 
first efforts in this direction were as a manufacturer 
of oak shingles in Wayne County, and it also oc- 
cupied his attention in Logan County, Ohio, for 
one 3ear, he having previously' learned the work in 
Pennsylvania. In 1855 he came to Iowa, and 
remained here from .June 1 until October of the 
same year, and then returned to Ohio. In 1870 he 
returned to Johnson County and settled here per- 
manently in 1870, disposing of a fine three hundred 
and thirty acre tract of land in Moultrie County, 
111. December 16, 1869, he was married to Cath- 
erine (Eash) Helmeth, who was born in Cambria 
County, Pa., six miles from Johnstown, but who 
was taken to Tuscarawas County, Ohio, when in 
her fifth year, and to Johnson County, Iowa, in 
1851. Her parents were Isaac and Elizabeth 
(JUiller) Eash, both Pennsylvanians by birth, and 
the former a reasonably successful tiller of the soil. 
He was first the owner of one hundred and twenty 
acres of land, which he afterwards increased to one 
hundred and sixty acres, on which the remainder 
of his days were spent, his death occurring at the 
age of sixty-six, and that of his wife at the age of 
forty-six years. They became the parents of four 
children, and after her death he married again, his 
second wife bearing him three children. 

Samuel II. Yoder and his wife have a family of 



five children: Annie, Sarah, Marion, Samuel and 
Lydia. By her first husband, Mrs. Yoder became 
the mother of five children. Mr. Yoder conducts 
his f.arm with great discretion and good judgment 
and his property has been acquired b3' his own 
efforts. His present commodious frame residence 
was erected in 1875, and his large bank barn in 
1888. Its dimensions are 99x45 feet,witli an adjoin- 
ing shed 60x24 feet. He raises large numbers of 
horses, cattle and hogs, and the usual grain products 
which are used for fattening his stock. He is a 
member of the Omish Church, is a consistent 
Christian, and has taken an active interest in church 
work. He has been prudent and wisely economical 
in his manner of living, and is now enal)led to 
enjoy the fruits of his early labor and of a life 
well spent. 



I#!#^l-^"i^li^#i€ 



LBERT AHRENS is one of the native sons 
of Iowa, and has passed nearly' his entire 
life in this State. He has traveled con- 
siderably' in the West, and is a thoroughly 
intelligent citizen. His well-kept home farm of 
two hundred and fort^' acres is situated on sec- 
tions 8 and 17, Sheridan Township, Poweshiek 
County. Our subject w.as reared to farm life, and 
after arriving at a suitable age, hired out to an 
uncle as a farm hand, after which he worked on a 
rented farm for some two years. For five months 
he was in California, working in the orange groves 
in the far-famed and picturesque Riverside, in the 
southern part of the State. He then returned to 
this count}', and he has turned his attention to 
agricultural |)ursuits in this locality' since that 
time. 

Mr. Alirens, who was born April 18, 1865, was 
united in marriage with Miss Luella Mabel Blllick 
on January' 20, 1892. The lady is a native of this 
county, and she and her husband are held in the 
highest esteem in this the count)' of their birth. 

John Ahrens, the father of the gentleman whose 
name heads this sketch, w.as born in Germany, in 





fr 




y/^a^L^'^''^^' 



^/^O 



o.ipyM-^^^^^ 



J 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



441 



the city of Hanover, and was a farmer for many 
years near that commercial center. In 1854 he 
emigrated to America, working for some time in 
Hamilton, Ohio, and then obtained employment 
on a farm at $10 per month. When the Rock Isl- 
an(J Railroad had been built as far as Iowa City, 
he came to this State, but after remaining only a 
short time went back to Ohio. Again coming to 
Iowa Count}', he purchased a farm of one hundred 
and sixty acres, which he sold after devoting 
twenty years to its improvement and develop- 
ment. After leaving the old homestead, he re- 
moved to Iowa City, which was his place of resi- 
dence for eight years, and on account of ill health 
he lived a retired and restful life. After some 
time he so far recuperated as to once more desire 
his former employment, and therefore, coming to 
Poweshiek County, he located on a farm, paying 
13.0 per acre for the same, and after making many 
improvements on the place, it is now \vorth fully 
$50 an acre. 

In his native land Mr. Alirens, Sr., married M.nr- 
garet Wachendorf, a native of Germany. They 
have five living children, four sons and a daugh- 
ter. Fred resides at home, and is attending Iowa 
College; Henry is on the farm with our subject; 
William is in Moline engaged as a stenographer; 
our subject is third in order of lurtli, and his sis- 
ter, whose name was Anna G. 8., married William 
Hagenlock, of this township. i\Ir. Alirens, Sr., is 
now retired from active cares, making his home in 
Grinuell, Iowa. 



-^ 



C. YODER. The mercantile interests of 
this portion of Jolin.son County, Iowa, have 
been ably represented by C. C. Yodcr, who 
has rapidly and surely made his way to wealth by 
attending strictly to each minor detail of his 
chosen calling and by upright and honorable deal- 
ing with bis customers. His calling of course 
necessitates the carrying of a varied assortment of 
goods, and his stock has a variety and freshness 



which can not fail to satisfy ever}' want of his 
patrons. By his superior management and excel- 
lent business ability' and efflciency he has done not 
a little to advance the reputation the countj' en- 
joys as a commercial center, while the public affairs 
of his section have received a fair share of his at- 
tention. He was born in Somerset County, Pa., 
September 21, 1847, his father, Benedict Yoder, 
having also been born in that county in 1817. 
His father, John Yoder, was a native of Switzer- 
land, but was brought to America by his parents 
when four j-ears of age, and was reared with a 
large family of brothers and sisters in Somerset 
Count}', Pa., where he followed the calling of a 
farmer throughout life, and died at the age of 
eighty-eight years, having for many years been a 
deacon of the Ornish Church. Benedict Yoder was 
one of his nine children, and so far as an occupa- 
tion was concerned followed in his father's foot- 
steps and tilled the soil, becoming the owner of an 
excellent farm of one hundred acres. 

Mr. Yoder was married to Sarah Miller, who was 
born in the same county as himself in 1820, and 
out of an old-fashioned family of fourteen chil- 
dren born to them they reared thirteen, all of 
whom have shown remarkable business powers and 
have arisen to wealth. This worth}- old couple 
have enjoyed a wedded life of over fifty years, and 
for a very long period tlio}- have "kept the faith" 
in the Omish Church. 

C. C. Yoder was the third of his father's family, 
and his youth and early manhood were spent on 
the home farm in Somerset County, Pa., but his 
educational advantages were of a superior order, 
for in addition to attending the district schools in 
the vicinity of his rural home, he was also for a 
part of five years an attendant of Somerset Acad- 
emy, in which institution he made a creditable 
record and fair progress in his studies. He paid 
his own way through this institution by teaching 
district schools during the winter months, when 
better wages could be obtained, and attending 
school during the spring and fall terms. The 
calling of a teacher occupied his time for seven 
terms in Somerset County, Pa., and one term in 
Allegheny County, Md., after which he came 
West and landed at Iowa City, Iowa, April 1, 1869. 



442 



P0x4TRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Here he secured employment for one year as a clerk 
in the dry-goods store of Donnelson, Price & Lee, 
afterward changed to Donnelson, Pratt & Lee, 
The following year he continued this worlc, but 
also attended the State University for some time, 
where he completed his literary education. In 
February , 1871, he came to Araish and opened his 
present store in partnership with the old firm 
with which he worked in Iowa City, continuing 
this until 1874, when he and his brother, J. H. 
Yoder, bought out the other members of the Arm, 
and two years later C. C. Yoder became sole pro- 
prietor. He has remained such to the present, and 
his well-directed energy and honorable business 
dealings have told in his affairs. His large and rep- 
resentative trade has been built up on those princi- 
ples of commercial honor which first command at- 
tention and then confidence, and at the same time 
he has anticipated the wants of the public and has 
made every effort to please his patrons. He has land 
to the amount of twelve acres around the village of 
Amisli,and has given considerable attention to the 
raising of some fine Norman and Hambletonian 
hor.ses and some .Shorthorn cattle. Although he 
rents his land he manages his stock himself and has 
found this line of work to be not only profitable but 
a pleasure also. He lives in a lieautiful and modern 
frame residence, which was erected in 1892 on a fine 
natural building site, and he has a large red barn, 
.36x48 feet, which was built in 1889. He owns 
stock and is a Director in the Wellman Savings 
Bank, of which he is a charter member, and aside 
from this he is extensively engaged in loaning 
mone^' on farms. The fine property of which he 
is now tiie owner is the result of his own keen 
foresight and push, for he came to Amish with 
only $10 in his pocket and is now wealthy. He 
has found a true helpmate and a wise counselor in 
his worthy wife, who has identified herself with 
his interests on all occasions and aided him bj^ her 
energy and thrift when he most needed assistance. 
The marriage of Mr. Yoder occurred on the 7th 
of September, 1873, Miss Maggie Palmer becoming 
Ins wife. She was born in Harrison County, Ohio, 
June 24, 1848, and in 1849 was brought to this 
count}' by her parents, who settled in the vicinity 
of Amish. To their union one child has been 



given, Ray Wheeler. Mr. and Mrs. Yoder have 
long been members of the Methodist Church, in 
which Mr. Yoder is Class-leader, and he has been 
Superintendent of the Sunday-school for the 
greater part of fifteen years. The Republican 
party has always had his support, and in May, 
1871, he -was made Postmaster of Amish, which po- 
sition he has held ever since, and through his in- 
fluence it has become a money-order ollice and is 
conducted to the satisfaction of the people of the 
neighborhood and to Mr. Yoder 's credit. 



lEORGE SAMPSON, our subject, is a rep- 
resentative citizen bj' adoption of the 
J^ United States, whose success proves the ab- 
sence of racial prejudice and the possibilities of 
social and political promotion in this country. Mr. 
Sampson is an Alderman from the Fourth Ward 
of the city of Giinnell, Poweshiek County, Iowa, 
and a contracting mason and brick worker, who 
was born in Norway, November 5, 1849. His fa- 
ther, Sigurd Gunderson, was born in Ness, Upper 
Tellcnworkon, and his grandfather, Ole Sigurdson, 
a native of the same place, was a soldier in the 
Norse army from 1812 to 181.5, at a time when 
Europe was convulsed with wars. The father of 
our subject worked all his life in the Ulfoss mines, 
near Skeen, where he died at the age of fifty-two. 
The mother of our subject was Anna, daughter 
of Gundar Sigurdson, natives of the same section 
of country as Sigurd Gunderson, Gundar being in 
the Norwegian army from 1812 to 1815, and a 
land-owner and a prominent man of his localit}-. 
The mother came to America with her children 
and settled in Fillmore County, Minn., where she 
died aged sixty-six years. She was the mother of 
five children, four of whom are living, our subject 
being the youngest, and the remaining ones are 
living in Minnesota, in Fillmore County. He was 
reared in his native country, where he received a 
common-school training; he also worked upon a 
farm from seven years of age upward, being era- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



443 



ployed for the first few years in herding cattle, for 
which he received his board and clothing as pay- 
ment, after fourteen years of age his wages running 
from $5 per year upward. The spring lie left 
Norway, being then twenty years old, he received 
an offer of 150 a year to take charge of a large 
farm, better pay than he had received, and which 
he considered a very generous offer indeed. 

Our subject started for America in the spring 
of I8G9, sailing from Christiana to Hull on a 
steamer, thence by rail to Liverpool and thence b}' 
steamer to Quebec, and from the latter i)lace 
to Grand Haven by rail, then by steamer to 
IMilwaukee, and by rail to Rochester, Minn. In 
that State, near Spring ^'alley, he worked upon 
a farm for eighteen months. In the year 1871, 
Mr. Sampson apprenticed himself to the trade 
of a brick mason, stone mason and plasterer 
in IVIankato, after which he worked at Spring 
^'alley, in Fillmore County, Minn., there work- 
ing at his trade, contracting, etc. He then 
came to Grinnell, Poweshiek County, Iowa, in 
1876, following his trade, taking contracts, etc., 
which he has continued to do ever since. Among 
other structures he has built the Mack Block, the 
Foster >t Baile}- Block, the Herald Block, and the 
Baptist Church and many other structures. In 
the year 1892 he built a mausoleum in the Luth- 
eran Cemetery, iu Malcom Township, with the 
dimensions ot 20x20 feet, of solid rock, a magnifi- 
cent structure of its kind, and the best in that 
county. He has built fine residences, exclusive of 
his own, on Hist Street, which he sold to various 
parties. 

Mr. Sampson was married at Grinnell to Miss 
Mary Stowe in the fall of 1876, she being the 
daughter of L. W. Stowe, a retired farmer and 
early settler of this county. Mr. and Mrs. Samp- 
son are the parents of two children, Cora and 
Lewis. Our subject is an intelligent Mason, being 
a member of the lodge of Master Masons, of the 
Royal Arch Chapter and of the Knights' Templar 
Asylum. Elis religious views are the same as 
those held 113- his parents and grandparents, 
namely, the doctrines of the Lutheran Church, iu 
which lie holds membership. In politics he is a 
Republican and a very active worker iu that 



party, proving a very efficient helper in every 
campaign. He was elected an Alderman from the 
Fourth Waid in 1890 upon the Republican ticket, 
and was re-elected in 1892. He is Chairman of 
the Committee on Fire and Water, and a member 
of several other important committees. 



^ .J. SIIEPARDSON, our subject, is a pioneer 
of Johnson County, Iowa, who settled 
^^ I here in the days when game was plentiful, 
^^Jy and no man in the county had such a repu- 
tation as he for accuracy of aim .and for learning 
the haunts of the animals or for the quantity of 
beasts and birds slain by his trusty gun and rifle. 
He came to Iowa November 19, 1842, having 
been born in Muskingum County, Ohio, June 22, 
1824, the son of Jared Shepardson, a native of 
Massachusetts. The latter, a farmer and a sol- 
dier in the War of 1812, removed to Ohio in 
1810, and died there in 1825, aged thirty-seven. 
His father, William Henry Shepardson, was a na- 
tive of Connecticut, of English descent, and is be- 
lieved to have been a soldier in the War of tlie 
Revolution. 

The mother of our subject, Matilda (Dennison) 
Shepardson, was reared in her native State, Massa- 
chusetts, and died at the age of .sevent^'-four. Her 
father, William Dennison, was a native of Massa- 
chusetts, of English descent, there being seven 
brothers in tlie Dennison family all in the War of 
the Revolution, the youngest being but sixteen 
and serving seven years. The father and motlier 
of our subject were married in Zanesville, Ohio, 
and lived upon a farm eleven miles out from that 
place, where the father died, leaving a disconso- 
late widow with six children, the youngest being 
eighteen months old, and he our subject. He was 
the onl3' one of the children who remained with 
his mother until he was of age. 

Our subject came West with his mother iu 1842, 
settling in Johnson Couiit}^, Iowa, in Clear Creek 



44-t 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Township, she taking up four eigii ties, and building 
a log house on section 29. They remained there 
about three years, and then our subject bought a 
farm of forty-seven acres, a portion of what is now 
known as the Bond Farm, in Clear Creek Town- 
sliii). Jlr. Shepardson cleared the first land upon 
the place and broke the first ground; he lived tliere 
until 1849, when he sold out and located in Oxford 
Townsliip, three miles west, where he took up one 
hundred and sixty acres of raw land, and broke the 
first land there. He then improved forty-sis acres, 
and remained there until 1852, when he bought 
eighty acres upon the farm where be now resides, 
the land being raw. At this place his mother 
ended her days, passing away in March, 1863. 

Our subject was married in September, 1853, to 
Cliarlotte Brown, a native of Pennsylvania, born in 
183 1, she being the daughter of Richard and Sarah 
(Truxler) Brown. Mrs. Shepardson was eighteen 
years old when she came to Johnson County with 
her parents. She and her husband had nine chil- 
dren. William Henry Harrison died in his six- 
teenth year; Sarah .Jane died in December, 1877; 
Matilda A., born in 1856, died in 1877; Cynthia 
M., born in 1865, died in 1873; Jared .J. was 
born in 1867, Amanda E. in 1869, George W. 
in 1862, Edwin in 1860, and Mary F. in 1856. 
All the children were born in Johnson County 
upon the farm where our subject now resides, ex- 
cept Sarah J. 

Mr. Shepardson was one of the earliest settlers 
of the county and helped to organize Clear Creek 
Township; he was Constalile many years, and is 
now Justice of the Peace, having been elected by a 
large majority, serving acceptably; he was elected 
Trustee of the Township for three terms. Mr. 
Shepardson is a member of the Baptist Church, as 
is also his worthy wife. He was an old-line Whig 
until the disruption of that party, when he joined 
the Democrats. His fame as a hunter lives to this 
davi and is the subject of talk in the township 
and beyond. He was one of the very best hunters 
in the State, he having killed since coming to 
Iowa no less than five hundred head of deer and 
three Inuidred wolves, sla3'ing one hundred and 
sixteen of the latter in the first three years. Two 
ferocious catamounts, or panthers, were also 



brought down by his trusty rifle. No other man 
in the State could begin to show any such record. 
AVhenever he went out after game he was sure 
to find it, and to miss a shot was an unheard of 
thing with liini. 



^^EORGE ULCH is the able ex-County Super- 
[|[ f— -, visor and general agriculturist and success- 
^^^ ful stock-raiser, whose homestead of two 
hundred and ten acres, located upon section 13, 
Big Grove Township, .Johnson Counf}^ Iowa, is 
one of the finest and most attractive pieces of 
property situated upon the "old Dubuque road." 
He is widely known as an intelligent, enterprising 
and public-spirited citizen, of more than ordinary 
executive business ability. 

Mr. Ulch was born in Bohemia, on the 19th of 
April, 1850. His parents, James and I-.ydmiller 
(Stife) Ulch, who were natives of Bohemia, sailed 
with their four children from Bremen in 1854, and 
after a weary passage of eight weeks landed in 
New York City, proceeding thence direct to John- 
son County, Iowa, and locating in Cedar Townshij). 
Two years later the father purchased land, where 
he has since resided most of the time. He is now 
seventy-four years of age and for almost two- 
score of years has been a useful and law-abiding 
citizen of the United States. He served in the 
army of his native land, but has passed all his 
later years in the peaceful pursuit of farming. 
The father and mother are both devout Catholics 
and earnest Christian people. 

Our subject was the third of six children, five 
of whom are yet living. He was four years of age 
when his parents came to America, and as soon as 
he was old enough began to attend the little log 
schoolhouse three miles distant. Anxious to im- 
prove himself as thoroughly as possible, he con- 
tinued to pursue bis studies during the winter 
months until he w.as about fifteen years old. In 
the meantime, when he was twelve j'ears of age, he 






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Rt5IDLNCE CF GEORGE ULCH SEC. 13. BIG GROVE TR J OH NSON CO. I A 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



447 



began to work out on a farm and received 18 per 
month for his services. Having remained in this 
empl03'ment for two years, our subject then re- 
turned to tiic homestead and assisted his father in 
agricultural duties until he had arrived at twen- 
ty-one years of age. At this time the father and 
son purchased togetlier an eighty-acre tract and 
here George Ulch began life for himself, subse- 
quently buying out his father's interest in this 
farm. In 1887, our subject purchased one hun- 
dred and thirty acres on section 13, Big Grove 
Township, and in 1888 rented his Cedar Town- 
ship farm and located on the Big Grove Township 
homestead, where he now owns two hundred and 
ten acres, all finely improved and well watered by 
a small creek. 

The Cedar Township property, now containing 
one hundred and thirty acres, is also under good 
cultivation, but the family homestead has a fine 
residence and excellent and commodious barns and 
outbuildings, which shelter some of tiie best varie- 
ties of stock in tliis section of the country. Mr. 
Ulch was married October 10, 1870, to Miss Anna 
Krob, a native of Bohemia, who with her parents 
emigrated to America in 1858. Her mother died 
in 1875, and her father surviving has now retired 
from active farming duties. Mrs. Ulch is one of 
six children, of whom all are yet living. She is a 
most estimable lady and is widely known and es- 
teemed by a large circle of friends. Mr. Ulch is 
one of the prominent Democrats of the township, 
and, an active worker, has frequently been a dele- 
gate to State and county conventions, represent- 
ing his constituents with distinguished ability. He 
has also served efficiently as Townsliip Trustee, 
but is best and most favorably known as County 
Supervisor. He was first elected to this position 
in 1881, and, re-elected in 1884, gave six ^-ears of 
unvarying devotion to the interests of the count}' 
and during his term of oirice the County Poor 
House was erected and many important improve- 
ments promoted and successfully completed. Mr. 
and Mrs. Ulch are both attendants and members 
of the Roman Catholic Churcli and are lilieral sup- 
porters of all worthy enterprises. They have no 
children of their own, but are a true father and 
mother to their adopted daughter, Emma. The 



father of Mrs. Ulch, John Krob, is now eighty 
years of age and hale and hearty. He can see well 
to read without glasses, and is enjoying the eve- 
ning of his age. 

It is now almost forty years since our subject, a 
little lad, used to trudge bravely through winter 
snows over rough roads to the log schoolhouse so 
far away. Living to mature years he has been an 
earnest worker in behalf of educational advance- 
ment and a material factor in the rapid upward 
growth of his home locality, where he is highly 
regarded as a sincere friend of public progress and 
reform. 



\T| OSIIUA ADY, a prominent agriculturist, 
successful business man and well-known 
temperance leader and late President of the 
Johnson County Temperance Alliance, is one 
of the able and enterprising citizens of Iowa, and 
has for some time been an honored resident of 
Scott Township. Born in Short Creek Township, 
Harrison County, Ohio, July 26, 1827, our subject 
was the fourth of eleven children who blessed the 
home of Joshua "W. and Rachel (Hall) Ady, who 
each represented a long line of distinguished an- 
cestry. The paternal great-grandfather, Jonathan 
Ady, a man of ability and a native-born English- 
man, emigrated to America in a very early day and 
settled in Maryland, afterward dying in Harford 
County, Md. His son Joshua, the paternal grand- 
father, was born in Harford County, and later 
resided in Belmont County, Ohio, from which 
State he removed to Iowa, settling in Muscatine 
County in 1851. Joshua Ad}', the father of oursub- 
ject, was born in the old home in Harford County, 
Md., April 27, 1798, and having attained to man- 
hood was married and made his home in the Buck- 
eye State, where our subject was born. In 1851, 
he came to Muscatine County, Iowa, and died in 
Atalissa, mourned by his family and many friends. 
Rachel Hall, the mother of our subject, was born 
in North Carolina in 1800, and was the youngest 



448 



PORTEAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



of live children reared by her parents in Jefferson 
County, Ohio. Her mother was supposed to have 
been a native of North Carolina, and passed away 
in Belmont County, Ohio, in about 1846. 

Our subject spent the days of early boyhood in 
his birthplace, removing with his parents when 
sixteen years of age to Belmont Count}^, Ohio, 
where he successfully engaged in farming until 
with his family he came to Iowa in the spring of 
1851, and for one year tilled the soil of Louisa 
County, at the expiration of this period of time 
locating in Muscatine County, where he remained 
twelve years. Upon April 6, 1864, he was united 
in marriage near Iowa Cit^' with Miss Phila A. Cut- 
ler, daughter of Waldo and Mary (Hanby) Cutler. 
The Cutler family were originallj' from England, 
but the great-grandfather of Mrs. Ady, the Rev. 
Manasseh Cutler, was born in Killingly, Conn., 
and survived to old age, passing away upon 
July 28, 1823. His son Jervis, the paternal grand- 
father, was born in Edgarton, Mass., September 19, 
1768, and died in Evansville, Ind. Waldo Cutler, 
the father of Mrs. Ady, was a native of the Old 
Bay State and was born in Ware, May 13, 1797. 

The Hanbys were of Scotch descent, the maternal 
grandfather of Mrs. Cutler having probably been 
born in Scotland. After his marriage Waldo Cut- 
ler settled in West Virginia, from there removing 
to Warren County, Tenn.; then locating in another 
part of the State, settled in DeKalb Count}-, where 
he continued to reside until 1851, wheft he came to 
Johnson County, Iowa, and making his home in 
Iowa City, remained in this former seat of the State 
government until his death, upon April 12, 1861. 
He was an earnest Christian worker and an Elder 
in the Presbyterian Church for many years. His 
wife p.assed away ten years later, surviving until 
April 12, 1871. Mr. and Mrs. Waldo Cutler were 
the parents of ten children, seven sons and three 
daugliters, Mrs. Ady, who was born in Warren 
County, Tenn., November 9, 1833, being the 
seventh child of the large family of brothers and 
sisters. 

Two weeks after the marriage of our subject, he 
started with his wife across the plains en route for 
Nevada, where he successfully engaged in ranching, 
after four years returning to Iowa City, and soon 



after settling upon a farm in Atalissa, Muscatine 
County. There he devoted himself to agricultural 
duties for two years, then making his permanent 
home in Johnson County, where he has remained 
ever since. 

Mr. and Mrs. Ady were the parents of the 
following four children: George E., who is in 
the wholesale business in Denver; Alice M., who 
died at the age of one year; Marj' F., the wife 
of Fred W. Meardon; and Florence R., the youngest 
of the family. Our subject and his wife are both 
prominent workers in the .temperance field, Mrs. 
Ady, a highly intelligent lady, being the eflieient 
President of the AVoman's Christian Temperance 
Union of Prairie Dale, while Mr. Ady is a most 
eloquent and earnest advocate of Prohibition. Mr. 
and Mrs. Ady are valued members of the Presby- 
terian Church and are leading f.actors in social and 
benevolent enterprise. Widely known and com- 
manding the respect and esteem of all good citizens, 
our subject and his wife labor unweariedly in be- 
half of the purity' and prosperity of the home cir- 
cles of our beloved land, and are never ceasing in 
their efforts to aid weak humanity, believing that 
only through the inalienable laws of progress and 
true reform can we uplift our fallen brothers. That 
Mr. and Mrs. Ady may long continue with daily 
renewed hope and courage their battle for the right, 
is the earnest pr.ayer of a host of sincere friends, who 
thoroughly appreciate their self-sacrificing devo- 
tion to [irincipie and honor. 



^] B. THOMSON, an extensive and highly suc- 
cessful breeder of Shorthorn cattle and 
Poland-China hogs, has been one of the 
prominent citizens of Chester Township, 
Poweshiek County. Iowa, for many years, and has 
during his residence filled for two successiA'C terms 
the olHce of Town Clerk, ably discharging the 
duties of the position and gaining the full confi- 
dence and esteem of the entire community, to 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



449 



whom lie gave efficient service. Mr. Tliomson 
was born in Windsor County, Vt., in the year 
1839, and remained in his birthplace until he had 
reached mature age. His father was a well-known 
business man of Springfield, Vt., where he con- 
ducted a boot and shoe store early in life, but 
later eng.aged in farming, and prosperously con- 
tinued the tilling of the soil for a period of years. 
Tlie mother, in girlhood Miss Hulda Selden, was 
a daughter of .Joseph Selden, well and favorably 
known in Connecticut, the home of the Seldens, 
who are of remote English ancestry. Both the 
Thomson and Selden families were bred in the 
Congregational faith, and have from time imrao- 
raorial been members of and attendants at the Con- 
gregational Church. 

Our subject first came to Iowa on account of 
his impaired health, and finding the climate agreed 
with him later removed his family here. Before 
emigrating to the West Mi: Thomson owned and 
ran a savvmill, but through unfortunate events, 
mainly on account of a flood on Black River, lost 
all his propert}'. He w.is married in Vermont to 
Miss Mary Atwood, with whom he finally made 
his home in Poweshiek Count}-, some few seasons 
after his earliest journey hither, in 1872. Begin- 
ning his experience in the Wcot as a breeder of 
Shorthorns and Poland-Chinas, he commenced 
with but a few of each variety of stock, and as he 
prospered increased his herds and droves until 
he is now thought by many to rank first in this 
line of business in Poweshiek County. Our sub- 
ject and one sister are all of the Thomson family 
who have located in the West. Two children, one 
son and one daughter, now survive of the little 
ones who blessed with their presence the pleasant 
home of Mr. and Mrs. Thomson. Arthur H., a 
manly boy of fourteen, passed away, but George F. 
and Helen M. are yet living to cheer with their 
society their father, who lost his excellent wife liy 
death in 1886. 

Mr. Thomson and his son and daughter are, as 
were their ancestors before them, members of the 
Congregational Church, and are largely identified 
with the social and benevolent enterprises and the 
various good works of that religious denomina- 
tion. Our subject cast his first vote for Abraham 



Lincoln, and has continued since that time to affili- 
ate with the Republican party. A thoughtful man, 
he has ever been deeply interested in both local 
and national government, and has always taken 
an active part in the affairs of the day. During 
his four years of service as Town Clerk he greatly- 
contributed to the advancement of many needed 
improvements, and has with word and deed aided 
in the upward growth and progress of Poweshiek 
County. An excellent neighbor and true friend, 
a liberal-spirited citizen of upright principle, 
steadfast for the right, and, a straight-forward 
business man, he enjoys the respect of all with 
whom he comes in contact, and is in the highest 
sense of the word a truly representative American 
citizen. 



OHN H. THOMPSON, a prosperous general 
agriculturist of Graham Township, John- 
//-s I I ^^^ County, Iowa, a highl}' esteemed citi- 
y^f' zen, and a member of the Farmers' Alliance, 
has ably discharged the duties of several local po- 
sitions of trust. He was born upon his father's 
farm in Harrison County, Ohio, .Tuly 11, 1831. 
His parents, .John C. and Rebecca (Carver) Thomp- 
son, were long-time residents of the Buckeye State, 
but the father was a native of Pennsylvania, born 
in Redstone. Mrs. Reliecca Thompson died in her 
native State, Ohio, but her husband, surviving her, 
came to the West and located in Johnson Count}', 
making his home in Scott Township, where he 
passed away June 18, 1865, universally lamented 
as an energetic, useful and capable man, earnest in 
purpose and upright in character. 

Our subject attended the district scliools of his 
home neighborhood during early boyhood, and 
assisted in the labors on the farm. Years passed 
quickly by and in 1852, having just attained his 
majority, he began life for himself by journeying 
to Iowa, and in .Johnson County entered one hun- 
dred and sixty acres of land, located upon section 
25, Graham Township, the site of his present finely 



450 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



improved farm. After securing the right to set- 
tle upon his homestead, Mr. Thompson returned 
to Ohio, and remained there some months, not 
making his permanent residence in Iowa, until the 
spring of 1853. He now owns two hundred and 
forty valuable acres, under a high state of cultiva- 
tion and containing an excellent residence, good 
barns and excellent outbuildings. Almost fort}' 
years have come and gone since our subject made 
his home upon the prairies of Jowa, and great have 
been the changes in tiie immediate vicinity of his 
portion of the State. Throughout this entire per- 
iod, although devoted mainly to the absorbing 
duties of agricultural life, Mr. Thompson has been 
identified with the promotion of the best interests 
of his township and county, and has ever been 
numbered among the progressive citizens, ready to 
assist in local improvements and public enter- 
prises. 

Four years after his arrival at the final location 
in Graham Township, our subject was united in 
marriage, September 17, 1857, to Miss Henrietta 
Perrine, who was born in Jefferson County, Ohio, 
Septembers, 1835. The father of Mrs. Thompson, 
Peter W. Perrine, was born on Staten Island, N. 
Y., and having married went with his wife 
and family from his home in Ohio to Illinois, 
journeying thence to Benton, Iowa, where the 
faithful wife and mother, Elizabeth (Hopper) Per- 
rine, died, her husband yet surviving. Into the 
liappy home of Mr. and Mrs. .John H. Thompson 
came — bringing joy and gladness with them — many 
sons and daughters, of whom seven yet survive. 
Martha is the wife of Vinton Carroll; Emma is 
unmarried; Mary E. is the wife of F. W. Healy; 
T.acie is married to F. E. Biles; L. W., Frank W. 
and Ruth are all yet single and reside with their 
parents upon the old homestead. The fourth 
child, John C.,died in early infancy, passing away 
when but three months old. Our subject takes 
an active interest in local and national issues, and 
while never an otiice-seeker has given to the local 
duties intrusted to his care faitiiful and eflicient 
attention and has thus materially assisted in the up- 
ward progress of tlie township. Mr. and Mrs. 
Thompson are valued members of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church, of which Mr. Thompson has 



long been an honored officer. The father, mother 
and entire family are workers in the church, and, 
occupying positions of usefulness and influence, 
enjoy the friendship and good-will of the entire 
community of Graham Township. Tiie intelligent 
sons and daughters are social favorites and are well 
fitted b}' habits of self-reliant industry to make 
their upward way in life. 



'if/ACOB J. MARNER. The beautiful home 
owned by the gentleman whose name is at 
the head of this sketch is situated on a fine 

and arable farm of one hundred and sixty 

acres in Sharon Township, and is an ideal rural 
abode. The barns are sightly and spacious, and 
the lay of the land is such as to make the whole 
l^lace as attractive as can be desired. Mr. Mar- 
ner was born in Cambria County, Pa., on the (5th 
of June, 1839, his father, Jacob Marner, having 
been born in Berne, Switzerland. He was a farmer, 
and when a young man came to America and took 
up his residence in Cambria County, where he 
married. In the spring of 1861 he removed to 
Iowa, and here his career was terminated at the 
age of eighty-two years. His Pennsjlvania farm 
was underlaid with coal, and while in that State 
he was engaged to some extent in mining. He was 
a member of and a preacher in the Omish Church 
for ui)wards of fortj' years, and being a man who 
possessed many noble traits of character, he had 
many friends. His wife, Susanna Eash, was a native 
of Reading, Pa., but of German descent, and like 
her husband was a member of the Omish Church, 
in which faith she died at the age of seventy- 
eight years. 

J.acob J. Marner was the seventh of twelve 
children, nine of whom lived to maturit}', and on 
his father's farm he learned what hard work meant 
at a very early .age. His time and strength were 
devoted to his father's interests until he was 
twenty-two years of age, at which time he began 
depending on his own resources for a livelihood, 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



451 



and being a young man of intelligence, fairly 
well educated, strong and energetic, he could not 
fail in Lis efforts to accumulate a competency. 
Like his father, he came to Iowa in the spring of 
1861, and here on the 9th of February of the 
following year he married Miss Leah Knepp, who 
was born in Mifflin County, Pa., January 8, 1843. 
She came with her parents to the Hawkeye State 
from Holmes County, Ohio, the same year as Mr. 
Marner came. An old-fashioned family of fourteen 
children was given to this substantial couple: John 
H., William T., Jacob A. and Abraham L. (twins), 
Nanc}' J., Salena, George O., Katie, Levi R,, Louis 
R., Edward F., Sarah J., Samuel B, and Anna, who 
was the ninth child in order of birth and died at 
the age of one year. 

Immediatel}' succeeding the celebration of his 
marriage Mr. Marner located on section 30, Sharon 
Township, where he purchased a slightly improved 
eighty-acre tract of land, and up to the time he 
disposed of it, in 187.5, he made many and valuable 
improvements. The same year he purchased the 
farm on which he is now residing, which tract em- 
braces one hundred and sixty acres of excellent 
land for agricultural purposes, to which use Mr. 
Marner intelligently puts it. The most of the im- 
provements have been made through his own per- 
sistent efforts and are a credit to his good judg- 
ment and taste. For nineteen j^ears he ran a cane- 
press during the season and became an expert as a 
maker of sorghum molasses. Like the majority of 
the agriculturists of the countj', he has been en- 
gaged in mixed farming and annually raises a large 
number of cattle and hogs, the former being Hol- 
stein and especially well bred; He also raises a 
sufficient number of horses for the proper cultiva- 
tion of his land, and allows no scrubby or infeiior 
animal to remain long on his place. He is a charter 
member and one of the stockholders in the Sharon 
Cheese Company, to which institution the milk 
of from twenty to twenty-four of his cows is given. 
He has been Secretary of this company for the 
past nine }ears, which position he has tilled in a 
satisfactory manner. He and his wife are faithful 
members of the Omish Church, and he has been 
Superintendent and Assistant Superintendent of 
the P^vergreen and Center Sunday-schools for some 



years past. At the age of twenty' years he began 
the calling of a pedagaguc and followed this occu- 
pation with pronounced success for seven terms in 
the State of his birth, and in Iowa for two terms 
after his marriage, in 1872. 

Our subject's judgment has led him to cast his 
influence on the side of the Republican party and 
he has always supported its men and measures at 
the polls. Being quite an extensive reader and a 
man of discrimination, he votes intelligenlly, and 
his views on all questions of public importance 
are keen and practical. He has been the architect 
of his own fortunes, for his means were exceed- 
ingly limited when he started out to make his own 
way in the world, but energy and enterprise have, 
as usual, been rewarded and he is now established 
on a sound tinancial basis and is in the enjoyment 
of a pleasant and comfortable home and a liberal in- 
come. For some time past he has been selling the 
Solid Comfort Plow, which is manufactured at 
South Bend, Ind., in which enterprise he has been 
successful. 



LEXANDEU L. MORELAND, a widely- 
I&'/UW known and highly-respected citizen, whose 
fine farm of three hundred and five acres 
is located upon section 12, Penn Town- 
ship, Johnson County, Iowa, is one of the most 
energetic, progressive and successful agriculturists 
of the State. He has also taken an active and 
leading part in the conduct of the township offices, 
the duties of various responsible positions having 
been intrusted to his efficient care during his many 
years of continuous residence within the borders 
of the county. A half-centurj' will soon have 
elapsed since, in 1846, the father of our subject, 
John L. Moreland, one of the early and honored 
pioneers of Iowa, entered from the Government a 
large tract of land, upon which his son, Alexander 
L., and his daughter, Mrs. Isaac Meyers, have their 
pleasant homes. Our subject was born in Frank- 



452 



PORTKATT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



liii County, Pa., and was the fouitli in order of 
birth of the six cliildren of liis parents, John L. 
and Mary (Ilctrick) Moreland, who were both na- 
tive Pennsylvanians, the father having been born 
in Perry County in 1801), and the mother in Cum- 
berland County in July, 1808. Tlicy came from 
Franklin County to the liomestead in PenuTown- 
sliip, where, after a long life of busy usefulness, 
John L. Moreland passed away July 3, 1878, 
deeply mourned by all who knew him, and es- 
pecially lamented by the many neighbors to whom 
he had been a kind friend in the hour of need. 

Our subject was but a very little lad when he 
came with his parents, in 1846, to Johnson Count}', 
and in the spring of the year settled in the home 
of his future lifetime in Penn Township. He en- 
joyed the advantages of instruction in the district 
schools of those pioneer days, and was thoroughly 
trained into the daily round of farming duties 
upon the old homestead, from which, at twenty 
years of age, he departed, quickly answering the 
summons of the Government, which had issued a 
general call for volunteers. It was upon August 
7, 1802, that Alexander L. Moreland bravely en- 
listed in the service of his country, then entering 
the ranks of Company E, Twenty-eighth Iowa 
Infantr}', and remaining in active duty until the 
close of the Civil War, when he was mustered out 
at Savannah, Ga., July 27, 1865. Constantly at 
the front, our subject gallantly participated in the 
battles of Port Gibson, Miss., Edwards Station, 
Champion Hills, siege of Vicksburg, siege of Jack- 
son, and was also engaged in the Red River expe- 
dition, and took part in numerous other battles 
and skirmishes. At the battle of Winchester he 
was shot through the left leg, and for some six 
months was unable to do military duty. When 
peace again resumed its sway in the American 
nation Mr. Moreland returned again to his home, 
and once more engaged in agricultural pursuits. 

Our subject was married in Penn Township, 
September 16, 1868, to Miss Mary Zeller, daughter 
of the late Nicholas Zeller, who was born in Frank- 
lin County, Pa., November 24, 1844. Mr. and 
Mrs. Moreland are the parents of four children, 
all daughters: Mary C, the eldest-born, is the wife 
of Charles Colon}-; Clara died at the age of one 



year, seven months and tw(fnty-one days; Cora E. 
and Florence A. are yet at home, and with their 
parents enjoy a position of usefulness and intlu- 
ence. Mr. Moreland is interested in both local 
and national affairs, and is a stui'dy Democrat. 
A true friend of general progress and educational 
advancement, he has materiall}' aided in the pro- 
motion of the leading enterprises of Johnson 
County, and, an earnest man of sterling integrity 
of character, has worthily won the resi)ect and high 
esteem of a host of friends. Our subject is a val- 
ued member of Iowa City Post No. 8, G. A. R., 
whose pleasant re-unions vividly recall the time 
when in behalf of national existence he went forth 
to do his api)arent duly upon the field of war. 



1^^ QUIRE T. D. DAVIS. There is not a more 
^^^ truly ])0pular citizen in Johnson County, 
Ijj/^j Iowa, than the genial, warm-hearted man, 
^ the successful and intelligent farmer, and 

the honored old soldier whose name is here given. 
Although born in Cambria County, Pa., November 
20, 1842, he comes from Welsh ancestors, for his 
father and mother, David T. and Martha (Mere- 
dith) Davis, were born, reared and married in the 
North of Wales, his grandfather, Thomas Davis, 
having also been born there. The latter sought 
a home in America in 1836, and until his death, 
which occurred at the age of eighty odd years, he 
was interested in agriculture. He had been pre- 
ceded to this countrj' in 1832 by his son, David 
T. Davis, who, after choosing a location, returned 
to Wales, and in 1836 came to this country with his 
family and pitched his tent in Pennsylvania, where 
his attention was devoted to tilling the soil until 
1844, when he started West and spent the winter 
of that year in St. Louis, Mo. In March, 1845, he 
came up the JNIississippi River to Muscatine, and 
then made the journe}^ to this county by wagon, 
and entered a tract of Government land. For 
some time after that he was compelled to work 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHTCAL RECORD. 



453 



out in order to supply his family with the neces- 
saries of life, and after getting a little ahead he 
Iniilt a log cabin on his land, into which he moved, 
lie was well known for his industry, and prior to 
his death, which occurred at the age of seventy- 
two years, he had greatly improved and developed 
Ills three hundred acres of land. He was always a 
stanch supporter of the Republican party, and he 
and his wife, who was called from this life at the 
age of eighty-two years, were consistent members 
of the Congregational Church. They reared a 
family of three children: T. D., Sarah and Will- 
iam D. 

T. D. Davis has been a resident of this county 
ever since he was two and a-half 3ears old, and 
was i-eared amid the rude surroundings of pioneer 
life to hard labor on a pioneer farm. On the 
9th of August, 1862, he enlisted in the Federal 
army, becoming a member of Cornpanj' I, Twenty- 
second Iowa Infantry, and was in the service for 
three years, taking part in the siege of Vicksburg, 
under Gen. Grant, and was also in the Shenandoah 
Valley, under Gen. Sheridan. lie then went through 
the C'aiolinas and Georgia, and was mustered out 
at Davenport, Iowa, in August, 1865, after which 
he returned home with the consciousness of hav- 
ing served his country faithfully and well on var- 
ious hard-fought fields of battle. On the 31st of 
March, 1869, he was married to Miss Maggie 
Roberts, a native of Pennsylvania, and to their 
union seven children were given: Ilattie, Emma 
Ella (deceased), Lizzie, Irene, Mattie and Maggie 
(deceased). Mr. Davis' farm comprises three hun- 
dred and twelve acres in one body, all of which are 
improved and a considerable portion lies in the val- 
ley of Old Man's Creek. and is exceedingly fertile, 
lie has a very attractive home, his large frame 
farm house having been built in 1888, and his 
barn, a very substantial and commodious structure, 
in 1877. He raises all kinds of stock and carries 
on a profitable and extensive business in mixed 
farming, although all the grain he raises is used to 
fatten his stock, especially his cattle and hogs, of 
which he makes a specialty. He and his amiable wife 
have long been connected with the Congregational 
Churcli, and. the political views of Mr. Davis have 
brought him into affiliation with the Republican 



party, he being an earnest n[)holder of its princi- 
ples and policy. He has held the office of Justice 
of the Peace off and on for the past ten years, and 
he has also acceptably filled the positions of 
Trustee and Assessor of his township. He has 
alwaj's been remarkably industrious, and his fine 
farm speaks for itself as to his thrift and success- 
ful methods in his chosen calling. He is univers- 
ally recognized as a man whose reputation is 
without a blot, and he enjoys to a flattering de- 
gree the confidence of his fellow-men and familiars 
in business and daily life. 



"S^BENEZER ABRAMS, the subject of our 
fe] sketch, is a well-known farmer, residing on 
J I — ^ section 1, Clear Creek Township, .Johnson 
County, Iowa. Born in Cambria County, Pa., 
May .5, 1826, his parents were David and Mary 
(Evans) Abrams, who were natives of Cardigan- 
shire, South Wales, where they married. They 
came to America about the year 1817, locating 
first in Maryland and then in Cambria County, 
where they lived ujion a farm. They both died in 
the seventy-first year of their age. They were the 
parents of ten children, five sons and five daugii- 
ters, eight of whom grew to maturity and l)ut 
three are living. 

Our subject, the ninth child, was reared in his 
native [)lace, where he received a common-school 
education. He was married in October, 1848, to 
Sarah Jones, a native of Wales, in which country 
she was reared, being the daughter of Benjamin 
and Ann Jones, and born September 10, 1823. Mr. 
Abrams, after his marriage, located upon a farm in 
Cambria County, remained until 1851, and then 
removed to Wisconsin, settling upon a farm in 
Manitowoc County. He entered eighty acres, which 
he improved and built thereon a log cabin for a 
home, staying there until 1866, when he came to 
Johnson County, Iowa, making a perm.anent resi- 
dence upon th(! land he now owns. 

Mr. and Mrs. Abrams were the parents of eight 



454 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



children, live daughters and three sons, namely: 
Mary, Ann, Louisa, -Sarah, llattie, John, Henry 
and David. Hattie and Sarah are deceased. He has 
a flne farm of two hundred and fifty acres, all un- 
der cultivation and well improved. The first year 
of his residence in Jowa he began the manufacture 
of cheese, and continued at that business for 
twenty-three years, having as many as sixty cows 
at one time and keeping an average of forty, sliip- 
ping the product to various Eastern points and to 
Cedar Rapids. This industry was carried on in 
addition to general farming and stock-raising, and 
nothing was neglected. 

In politics, our subject is a Republican, liaving 
given much thought and study to the great ques- 
tions of the da)'. He is a very well-informed man 
and takes much interest in the election contests. 
He is a member of the Christian Church. His 
son, Henry H., is a graduate of the State Uni- 
versity of Iowa City, and has attended tiie col- 
leges of Bethany, Yale and other institutions in 
New York State, and is a minister in the Christian 
Church in California; John, tiie eldest son, is in 
business at Castle, Mont.; David is in business at 
Brooklyn, Poweshiek County; Louisa is the wife 
of Evan Davis, of California; and the others are 
living at home. Mr. Abrams is now devoting his 
entire time to farming and stock-raising and is 
spending his days enjoying the fruit of days of 
more arduous toil, being contented with what 
a kind Providence has permitted him to gather 
together for liiraself and the needs of his fainil)-. 



OllN BOYLE is a prominent farmer, and 
has more political influence than any other 
_^. man in Washington Township, Poweshiek 
l^^f/ County. He was born in County Antrim, 
Ireland, August 28, 1842. His grandfather, John 
Boyle, was a farmer in tliat county, and a spinner 
of flax. His deatli occurred in his native land at 
an extreme old age. Our subject's father, who 
bore the Christian name of Charles, was also a na- 



tive of the Emerald Isle, and when past the prime 
of life emigrated to America. He was an agricul- 
turist, and married in his native land Mary Mc 
Clister, by whom he had six children: Jane, Mrs. 
John Bruce; Sarah, Mrs. Peter Hanson; Maiy, 
Mrs. John Rutherford: John, William .and Robert. 
With the exception of William, these cliildren have 
all become residents of the United States. The 
mother died in Ireland, .aged seventy years. Both 
lierself and husband vvere members of the Presb)'- 
terian Church, and very strict in their observance 
of its precepts. 

The early years of John Boyle, our subject, were 
passed on his father's farm, his education being 
obtained in the national schools in County Antrim, 
Ireland. He embarked in the active business of 
life for himself when eighteen years of age, leav- 
ing his home and tlie friends of his youth to seek 
his fortune on the shores of the New World. Af- 
ter a thirteen days' vo3'age, he landed in New. 
Haven, Conn., in the year 1860. The following 
year he came to Iowa, locating in Cedar County, 
where he worked out by the month, and thus 
earned money to send home as payment for his 
passage to America, which had been advanced by 
his friends. At the end of three years, during 
which time he had worked at farm labor in Cedar 
County, he went across tlie plains by wagon to 
Virginia City, Mont., and there engaged in placer 
mining for several years. He was moderately suc- 
cessful, but in 1873 sold out his interest there and 
returned on a visit to Ireland, with the intention 
of making his permanent place of abode in tlie 
land of his nativity. However, he concluded tiiat 
the New World was a much better field for a 
young man to make his fortune and achieve success 
in, and therefore he returned to the United States 
in 1874. In the spring of that year he purchased 
his present farm, which was entirely without im- 
provement. He has now three hundred and nine 
acres of land, which, with the exception of a forty- 
acre tract, isall under good cultivation. Mr. Boyle 
raises considerable grain and also cattle, hogs and 
horses, the latter being mostly of the English-shire 
grades. In 1892 he erected his present comfort- 
able and commodious barn, which lias ample ac- 
commodations for his large amount of stock. 




^/^^t^^^ cA-da^^yyp^ 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPinCAL RECORD 



459 



Tn tliis county, on the 16tli of August, 1879, 
Mr. Boj'le and Ximena Cadwallader were united 
in marriage. Tlie lady is a native of Pennsylvania, 
and by her marriage has become the mother of Qve 
children: Amy B., Charles E., Jolin L., William C. 
and AUie A. Both parents are members of the 
Friends' Church. Mr. Boyle is a stanch Repub- 
lican, and has served as School Director, but is not 
desirous of obtaining official positions, preferring 
rather to devote his entire attention to his busi- 
ness interests. 



"****@ 



if^iMi OSES ADAMS, a prominent agriculturist 
and honored pioneer and for over half a 
century a constant resident of Iowa, has for 
fully two-score years made his home in 
Johnson County, and has long been located upon 
his finely-cultivated homestead. Oak Grove Farm, 
section 22, Cedar Township. Arriving within the 
borders of the State a young, earnest and ambi- 
tious man, our subject has self-reliantly won his 
upward way, and as a progressive citizen has ma- 
terially aided in the promotion of local enterprise 
and improvement. Mr. Adams is a native of Ox- 
ford County, Me., and was born November 2, 
1815. The paternal great-grandfather Adams was 
said to have come from Ireland in Colonial times, 
and undoubtedly espoused with ardor the cause of 
the Revolutionists, who were battling for national 
independence. Grandfather Adams was of New 
England nativity, and early settled in Massa- 
chusetts, where his son, John E., the father of our 
subject, was born. Later removing to Maine, he 
there engaged in agriculture, and passed away at 
a good old age. 

John E. Adams, following in the footsteps of 
his father, also became a tiller of the soil of Maine, 
but in 1826 emigrated to Cuyahoga County, Ohio, 
and bought a homestead six miles from Cleveland, 
which he energetically cleared and improved. He 
died long afterward in Iowa, where he had gone 
in 185(1 solely for a visit, and at the time of his 

21 



demise was about fifty-nine years of age. He 
was a courageous man and loj'al citizen, and 
served with brave gallantry in the War of 1812. 
The mother, Sarah (Moody) Adams, was of En- 
glish descent, but a native of Massachusetts, and 
a lady of culture and refinement. She died some 
years prior to the death of her husband, yet lived 
to become the mother of nine children, of whom 
Moses was the sixth in order of birth. Only three 
of the brothers and sisters now survive, although 
most of the family have lived to a good old age. 
Our subject was reared upon a farm, and became 
an expert in handling spikes, rolling logs and 
clearing land. He attended the nearest district, 
school, held in a little log house, and at eleven 
years of age accompanied his parents to Ohio. 

Mr. Adams continued to reside at home until he 
was about twenty-three years old, when he began 
life for himself, and in the fall of 1838 started for 
Iowa, going South by canal to the Ohio River, 
and thence to the Mississippi, halting a brief time 
at Burlington in order to attend the great land 
sale of Iowa acres. Our subject was five weeks on 
his way to Burlington, and afterward came to 
Johnson County, where he rented land, and for 
the next few years engaged in agricultural pur- 
suits, finding it easier to raise grain than it was to 
get meal or flour. In 1845 Mr. Adams entered 
land in Cedar Township, and building a log house 
began ambitiously to improve the wild prairie, 
which until then had never been disturbed by 
plough or harrow. Game of various descriptions 
was plentiful, and deer were especially abundant. 
The nearest neighbors and frequent visitors were 
the Indians, and the daily scenes presented were 
those of frontier life. Five and six yoke of oxen 
were required to break the stubborn soil, and our 
subject not only did this hard work upon his own 
farm, but worked also for others, in one summer 
alone breaking over one hundred acres of land, 
and earning $4 and $5 per day. 

Some of the experiences of pioneer life were es- 
pecially trying, as for instance, when Mr. Adams, 
after a long journey to the nearest market with 
corn, only received twelve and a-half cents per 
bushel, a sum insufficient to pay the cost of trans- 
portation. In 185fi our subject was united in 



460 



POKTRAIT AND BIOl^RAl'IIICAL RECORD 



marriage with Miss Sarah Keislar, of Ohio, who 
came to Iowa witli lier parents in 1851. The fa- 
ther of Mrs. Adams, Josiali Keislar, was a native 
of Greensburgli, Pa., and was born in 1802. His 
parents emigrated from Germany, and located on 
a Pennsylvania farm, but Mr. Keislar was reared 
among strangers and taught the blacksmith's trade, 
earning at times but twenty-five cents a day in 
money, which he carefully saved to buy tools use- 
ful in farming work. He owned a good farm in 
Oliio, and used to purchase stock in tlie neighbor- 
hood and drive tliem thiough to Pennsylvania, 
finding a ready and profitable market in Philadel- 
phia. Mr. Keislar came to Iowa with his family 
in 1851, and bought a homestead, whicli he im- 
proved, and, prospering, survived to an advanced 
age, his death occurring in 1881. His had been 
an especially checkered career, and at the very 
outset of his life he had met with a great sorrow. 
His father was killed by the Indians, and the young 
son was bound out to a Quaker family. Arriving 
at manhood he became a "dead" shot, and so un- 
erring was his aim that he gained an extended 
reputation as a hunter. Mr. Keislar was a man of 
courage and resolution, and withal was cast in a 
patriotic mould, and at fifty-nine years of age en- 
tered the service of the Government. Enlisting in 
1861, he continued actively in duty, engaging in 
the weary marches, decisive battles and skirmisiies 
of the long campaign with all the ardor and gal- 
lantry of a patriotic boy. He was mustered out 
of service at the close of the Civil War, having 
given years of faithful devotion to the cause of 
national existence. His wife, Mary (Regester) 
Keislar, was born in Washington, Pa., and died in 
1868, preceding her husband to the better world 
many years. Mr. and Mrs. Keislar were both de- 
vout believers in and valued members of the Chris- 
tian Church. They were the parents of six chil- 
dren, one son and five daughters, all living. 

The home of Mr. and Mrs. Adams has been 
brightened by the birth of six sons and daughters: 
Cora, the eldest, is the wife of Joseph AValker, a 
prosperous farmer residing near Pleasant Valley, 
Johnson County; Mary is married to Fred M. 
Warren, an enterprising farmer located near West 
Liberty, Iowa; John Quincy, Myron D., Ollie M, 



and Ilattie E. are all at home. Cora and Mary 
both taught school previous to their marriage, and 
Hattie is now engaged in the same vocation. Po- 
litically, our subject was an old-line Whig, and 
cast his first vote two days after he had attained 
his majority, in 1836, for Gen. W. H. Harrison. 
He now affiliates with the Republican party, and 
assisted in the organization of Cedar Township, 
when there were but thirteen votes in the town- 
sliip, and, continuously elected, occupied with 
efficient ability the offices of Clerk and Assessor 
for several years, and has ofl3ciated upon juries in 
some of the most important cases in the State. 
Mr. Adams has been a continuous resident of Joiin- 
son County for a period of fifty-three years, and 
during the latter portion of this time has been 
financially prospered, now owning three hundred 
and sixty-six acres of land, located upon section 
22, Cedar Township, all under fine improvement 
and well stocked with cattle. Devoted to agri- 
cultural pursuits all his life, he has also found 
time to keep himself thoroughly posted in local 
and national affairs, and in all matters tending to- 
promote the public welfare has taken an active 
and able part, and is widely known as an upright 
man, liberal in sentiment and progressive in his 
methods. A sincere friend and public-spirited citi- 
zen, and from pioneer days intimately associated 
with the best interests of his home locality, our 
subject possesses the genuine regard and high es- 
teem of the various communities of Johnson 
County. 



^>^^<^^-^ 



^p^EORGE ^y. KETTLEWELL, the oldest 
[I I (-— , blacksmith in Iowa City, Iowa, an able 
^^^J workman, enterprising and liberal-spirited 
citizen, has efficiently discharged the duties of 
public olUce, and, an energetic member of theCit^' 
Council and valued Director of the School Board, 
has been an important factor in the promotion and 
development of the best interests of his home lo- 
cality, and as a man of fine character and sterling 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



461 



integrity has won i liigh place in tiie esteem of his 
fcUow-tovvusmen. Oiir subject was born in Wash- 
ington Count}', Pa., December 30, 1821, and was 
liie son of Josepli Kettlewell, a native of England, 
wlio was born in Plymouth Dock, and reared and 
educated in his birthplace. He came to America in 
the British service in 1812, was taken prisoner and 
remained, locating at first in Pennsylvania, thence 
removing to Ohio, where he received employment 
as a road contractor. He tried his fortunes again 
in Penns^'lvania, but finally, settled in 1828 in 
Ohio, locating in St. Clairsville. He died in 1837 
in Wlieeling, W. Va., having removed there in 
1834. 

The mother Nancy (Wallace) Kettlewell, was a 
native of Ireland, but came to this country when 
a young girl, locating in Iowa City in 1856, and 
passed away in her seventy-seventh year. She was 
the loving mother of six children, three sons and 
three daughters. William, the eldest, died in his 
seventy-first year; Mary E., the wife of Joshua 
Wiley, died in Chicago in her seventy-fourth year; 
Rachel, the wife of Hiram Davis, died in Lexington, 
Ky., in her thirty-third year; George W. is our sub- 
ject; Catherine was the wife of Philo Haynes, and 
died in Iowa City at the age of thirty-seven years; 
Joseph R., resides in California, which has been his 
constant home since 1863. George W. was the 
fourth child and second son and remained with his 
father until his death, and afterward cared for his 
mother. He first engaged in the blacksmith trade 
in 1838, in St. Clairsville, Ohio, and served an ap- 
prenticeship of four 3'ears at the anvil. At the ex 
piration of this time he and his brother William 
conducted a blacksmith shop in St. Clairsville until 
1846, when our subject went to Cincinnati, and 
worked for two years, assisting in "ironing" the 
first three locomotives built in Cincinnati. 

In 1848, Mr. Kettlewell removed to Lebanon, 
Warren County, Ohio, where he worked four years 
and theu bougbt a shop, which he ran successfully 
until 1856, when, determined to try farther West, 
lie sold out and came to Johnson County. He 
made his home in Iowa City, here starting a shop 
in company with his brother Joseph, which our 
subject still conducts most profitably, and he is 
widely known as the ''Pioneer Blacksmith. "' Mr. 



Kettlewell was married in Lebanon, Ohio, Januar}' 
27, 1853, to Miss Hannah Jackson, born in York- 
shire, England, December 11, 1830. Mrs. Kettle- 
well was the daughter of William and Mar^' (North) 
Jackson, who emigrated to America when the esti- 
mable wife of our subject was but six months old. 
Her parents made their residence in Ohio, and 
there Mrs. Kettlewell was reared and educated. 
Eleven children, four sons and seven daughters, 
were born unto our subject and his wife: William 
A. is a citizen of Iowa City and is connected with 
his father in business; Lucy V. died in 1860; Horace 
died in 1860; George W. died in 1887; Mary E. 
died in 1865; Hannah J. died in 1856; Alice died 
in 1883; Minnie died in I86'J; Charles J. is a drug- 
gist of Carson, Iowa; EvaM. isathome;and Edith J. 
died in 1891. Mr. Kettlewell enjoys excellent health 
and pursues daily business with as much interest 
as of 3'ore, and in two years has been absent from 
his shop but two days. Politically, our subject is 
an earnest Democrat and a firm believer in the 
principles and platform of the party. While a 
member of the Common Council, he worked for 
the mutual welfare of the citizens, and was untir- 
ing in his efforts to improve the drainage of the 
city and rapidly advance needed improvements. 
Upon the School Board his advice had weight, and 
his judgment aided in gaining a higher grade of 
scholarship and instruction for the district schools. 
Fraternally, Mr. Kettlewell is a member of the In- 
depent Order of Odd I^ellows and joined the order 
in 1848. He became a member of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church in 1846, and for twenty years 
was Trustee of the church, and also served as 
Steward. Financiall}' prospered, our subject has 
a pleasant home, brightened by the presence of the 
daughter Eva M.; it also shelters another claimant 
to the affectionate care of Mr. and Mrs. Kettlewell. 
Ida C. Haynes, daughter of Philo Haynes, was 
taken into the heart and home of our subject and 
his good wife when she was a babe of one mouth 
old, and, reared b}' loving hands, is now attending 
school. Few people enjoy the splendid vitality 
and endurance of Mr. Kettlewell, and few compar- 
atively possess his sterling traits of character. 
With ability acting well his part in life, and with- 
out ostentation ever doing his duty faithfully, he 



462 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



lias passed through the ordeal of public office with- 
out a stain upon his record, and from the pioneer 
days up to present time he has ever been the same 
enersjetic, enterprising', industrious and upright 
man, the ardent advocate of right and justice. 



T. SHELLEY. A history of any cominunit}-, 
large or small, is made up, to a greater or 
less extent, of the lives of its citizens, and 
J)] it is apparent to any intelligent observer 
that tiie history of Iowa County is only such as 
has been made by those who have been identified 
Willi its development from the first. Among that 
class of pioneers we cannot fail to mention R. T. 
Shelley, who is one of the old pioneer farmers. 
He was born in Henry County, Ind., September 28, 
1828, his parents, William and Prudence (Condry) 
Shelley, being natives of North Carolina and Vir- 
ginia, respectively, their marriage taking place in 
the Old North .State. The father removed from 
North Carolina to Henry County, Ind., in 1828, 
journeying there by wagon, and there became the 
owner of forty acres of land, but this he disposed 
of in 18.56 to remove to Iowa County, Iowa, at 
which time the country in the vicinity of where 
he settled was an unbroken prairie. He became the 
owner of a good farm of one hundred and twenty 
acres, and on this farm he breathed his last at about 
the age of seventy-one years, having long been a 
member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. First a 
Democrat in politics he later became a Republican. 
His wife died in 1864, when about seventy years 
of age, she being an earnest member of the Meth- 
odist Episcopal Church also. The paternal grand- 
father, Richard Siielley, was a North Carolinian, so 
far as known, and was of English descent. He was 
a farmer and settled in Indiana in 1830, and for 
the remainder of his days was a successful agricul- 
turist of Henry County, his death occurring there 
when about seventy years old. 

R. T. Shelley was the fifth of eight sons born to 
his parents, and his youthful days were spent in 



learning the details of farm labor and in pursuing 
his studies in the old-fashioned log schoolhouse, 
which was furnished in the most primitive manner. 
At the age of nineteen years he began an independ- 
ent career as a plasterer, to which occupation his 
attention was given for twelve years, during which 
time he became expert and his services were widely 
in demand. On the 17th of March, 1853, his 
marriage with Miss Harriet Butterlield was cele- 
brated, she having been born in Ohio, and in time 
a family of eight children gathered about their 
hearthstone: Horace B.; Virgil E.; Homer C; Jes- 
sie; Richard F., deceased; Carrie and Addie, twins; 
and Franklin H. 

In 1856 Mr. Shellej' decided to seek a home 
for himself and family in Iowa, and upon reach- 
ing this State he came directly to Iowa County 
and settled on a farm, which he tilled with fair 
success until .JUI3', 1862, when he enlisted in Com- 
pany E, Twenty-fourth Iowa Infantry, and for 
three years was heroically engaged in lighting his 
country's battles. He was in the engagement at 
Port Gibson, siege of Vicksburg, Jackson, Sabine 
Cross Roads, Yellow Bayou, Alexandria, the Red 
River campaign. Champion Hill, Pleasant Hill, 
Winchester, and Cedar Creek, where he was cap- 
tured and kept a prisoner for four months at Rich- 
mond, at the end of which time he was exchanged. 
While in the service his hearing became somewhat 
impaired and has never since been recovered. For 
this he receives a well-deserved iiension of 122 per 
month. He was mustered out in July, 1865, and in 
1872 settled on his present farm, which consists of 
one hundred and eight3'-nine acres, all of which is 
well improved with the exception of twenty-nine 
acres. His attention has been devoted to mixed 
farming and, besides a goodly quantity of grain 
each year, he also raises horses, cattle and hogs. 
All the buildings on his place he has erected, and 
he has a neat frame residence and a large and con- 
veniently arranged barn. He had two brothers in 
the army, Leroy being killed at the battle of luka, 
Tenn. William, who now lives in New Castle, Ind., 
has five honorable discharges, at his last enlistment 
he having raised a company, of which he was Cap- 
tain. He is now Postmaster at New Castle. His 
brother Ransom, who started across the plains in 






ii«^M 




Rr5l[)EiMCE. OF F^ T. 5>1 LLLEY , 3EC. 1 1. WASH I NGTON TR IOWA CO. iA. 







RESiDeriCt OF J. h. SLCRISI . 3l^rdb. SCOTT TP. JOHNSON CO, lA 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



465 



1857, was uever heard from after leaving Utali, 
and is supposed to liave been murdered in the 
Mountain Meadow massacre by the Mormons. 

Our subject and his wife are Methodists, and 
politically he is a Republican and has iield numer- 
ous townsliip offices. He is a member of the Grand 
Army post at Marengo. Besides loolting after his 
farm, he and his son are interested in a general 
store at Gray, Audubon Count3-, Iowa, with which 
they iiave been connected since the spring of 
1892. Mr. Shelley has been prominently associated 
with the material progress and development of the 
county, and his career from a humble position in 
life to the position he now occupies has been one 
of honorable ascent and reflects the utmost credit 
upon him. He is an extensive, varied and intelli- 
gent reader, an original and independent thinker, 
and a well-posted man on general topics, and in 
this resi)ect his children follow in his footsteps 
and are highly cultivated and intelligent. 






"^rp) ? « 



JOSHUA H. SECREST, an extensive general 
agriculturist and prominent stock-raiser 
of Scott Township, Johnson County, Iowa, 
resides upon a magnificent homestead of 
five hundred and twenty-two acres, located upon 
section 2;"), which with its finely cultivated fields 
and valuable improvements, attractive and com- 
modious residence and substantial barns and out- 
buildings, is one of the best pieces of farming prop- 
erty in this region of the State. For the past 
quarter of a century numbered among the promi- 
nent citizens of Johnson County, and for twenty- 
three years actively associated with the promotion 
and rapid growth of the best interests of Scott 
Township, a leader in enterprise and a man f>f un- 
doubted integrity of character, our subject is widely 
known and securely holds the esteem and uonfidciu-c 
of the general public. 

Born in Guernsey County, Ohio, August 9, 1848, 
Joshua H. Secre.it was reared upon the farm of his 
parents and educated in the common schools of the 



neighborhood, and on attaining nineteen 3'ears of 
age began life for himself. His remote paternal 
ancestors were Germans, but his grandfather, Henry 
Secrest, and his father, Michael, were natives of 
Virginia, where the Secrest famih', emigrating from 
the Fatherland, settled in a very emiy day in the 
history of our country. Grandfather Secrest was 
an energetic and enterprising man and was one 
of the most prominent of the pioneer settlers of 
Guernsey County, Ohio, where he removed with 
his wife and children when the State was compar- 
atively in its infancy. Henry Secrest long since 
passed away, honored by all who knew him, but his 
son Michael, the father of oursubject, .yetsurvives 
and continues to make his home amid the scenes 
of his childhood, in Guernsey County. 

The mother. Mary (Hunt) Secrest, was born in 
Mar3'land, and died in Mercer County, Ohio, at 
the earl^' age of twenty-six j-ears, mourned by a 
large circle of relatives and friends. The maternal 
grandfather, David Hunt, was undoubtedly a na- 
tive of Maryland, but was for many years a highly 
respected resident of Ohio. While on his way 
from this latter State to make a visit in Iowa, he 
died en route, in Penrose, Iowa. When our subject 
left his home to win his way in life he went to 
Warren County, Ohio, where for a twelvemonth 
he engaged in work on the Miami Canal, and then 
came direct to Johnson County, locating for the 
next two years in Lincoln Township, finally set- 
tling permanently in Scott Township, where all 
his interests of later years are centered. Mr. Se- 
crest was married in Scott Township, January l,"i, 
1873, to Miss Esther HoUingsworth, born in Hiijh- 
land County, Ohio, January 7, 1854. The Ilol- 
lingswoi'th family is of English descent reniotelN. 
Gran<l father James HoUingsworth lived and died 
in Ohio, the Buckeye State also being the birth- 
place of his son, Mahlon HoUingsworth, tliefather 
of Mrs. Secrest. Father HoUingsworth was one of 
the pioneer settlers of Scott Township, and (•(niliii- 
ued to reside here until about 1888, when he re- 
moved to West Liberty. 

Our subject and his estimable wife are the [lar- 
ents of six children. Guy R., an intelligent young 
man in the dawn of promising cilizonship, is a 
graduate of the Iowa City Academy; Walter S., 



466 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Mary A., Edna R., Charles M. and Carrie B. com- 
plete the list of the young brothers and sisters 
who cluster about the family hearth. Mr. and Blrs. 
Secrest have both taken an active part in temper- 
ance work, and various members of the family are 
associated with the order of Good Templars. Mrs. 
Secrest is a valued member of the Woman's Chris- 
tian Temperance Union and also belongs to the 
Society of Friends, her usefulness and influence in 
the community ever contributing to the uplifting 
and strengthening of weak humanity. Fraternally 
our subject is connected with the Ancient Free & 
Accepted Masons and has long been a member of 
this honored society. Always interested in local 
and national issues, Mr. Secrest is intelligently 
l)Osted as to the Governmental affairs of the Amer- 
ican nation, but is not a politician, his own private 
business claiming the most of his time and atten- 
tion. He has, however, held various of the town- 
ship offices, discharging the duties entrusted to his 
care with faithful ability, and, a friend to educa- 
tional advancement, has used his earnest efforts in 
behalf of the upward progress of the schools of the 
surrounding neighborhoods. Prospered in life, he 
achieved a comfortable competence, and self-reli- 
antly won his upward w.ay, joining tlie ranks of our 
representative citizens, who with dignity of char- 
acter ennobling labor have won assured success. 



-^^1 



1^^ 



y^,EORGE F. MAGOUN, A. M.. D. D., the 

11 subject of this sketch, was the first Presi- 

Vi^Sl dent of Iowa College, and of him a promi- 
nent Methodist P^piscopal clergyman has said: "Dr. 
Magoun is the most able Congregational minister 
in the West, and is deserving of the greatest praise 
for the work he has done for Iowa College." 
The Doctor is a man of most agreeable manners, 
deservedly popular, and a scholar of great erudi- 
tion. His long life has been a series of self-deny- 
ing practices devoted to the betterment of his 
brother man. During the time that he was Presi- 
dent of Iowa College he was offered popular and 



wealthy pastoral charges again and again; no less 
than three established colleges sought to make 
him their head, and a number of other flattering 
positions were tendered him without avail, al- 
though in every case largely increased salaries ac- 
companied the offers. In one case the salary ten- 
dered was four times as great as that he received 
at Iowa College, while the pay of one of the pas- 
torates, to which he was called ten days after ac- 
cepting the Iowa College charge, was six times 
greater than his then income. Amherst College 
conferred upon him the degree of Doctor of Di- 
vinity in 1867. Three times he was a delegate to 
the Peace Congresses held on the continent of Eu- 
rope. He was a delegate to the then serai-centennial 
of the Congregational Union of England and Wales 
from the Iowa Association, and also of the Maine 
conference and the national council. For three 
years, 1877, 1878 and 1879, he was lecturer on 
home missions at Andover Theological Seminary. 

Referring to our subject, the "Iowa Normal 
Monthly" says: "Probably no other Iowa educator 
has made more frequent use of the standard peri- 
odicals of the country. 'The International Review,' 
'Education,' 'Bibliotheca Sacra,' 'New Englander,' 
'Congregational Review' (of which he was an 
editor), 'Congregational (Quarterly,' 'Scribner's 
Monthly,' 'Christian Thought,' 'OurDa}%' 'Knick- 
erbocker' and many others have received aid from 
his pen. He is the author of fift}' or more articles 
on religious, metaph3'sical, educational and his- 
torical subjects." 

Our subject was born at Bath, Me., March 29, 
1821, of worthy and honored parents. His father, 
Hon. David C. Magoun, a native of Scituate, 
Mass., was a merchant, bank president and ship 
owner at Bath. His grandfather, Elisha Magoun, 
was also a native of Scituate and a ship-builder, 
who was one of the first to locate that industr}' at 
Bath. The latter passed his days peacefully in 
that place, finally dying there. The Magounsare 
of French Huguenot ancestry, persecution driving 
them from their native country to the North of 
Ireland and thence to America. The head of the 
branch in this country came over in 1660, located 
at Scituate, Mass., and remained there until his 
death. This was .lohn Magoun, a farmer, whose 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



467 



estate, three miles long, ran down to the ocean, 
and upon it 3'et stands the house he built there. 
Beginning with him the male line runs: John, 
P^lias, Recompense, Elisha, David, Elisha, David C. 
and our subject. 

Dr. Magoun in the summer of 1881 took tlie 
steamer to Europe. Landing at Liverpool he vis- 
ited Rome, Naples, Dresden and Berlin, re.aching 
his home Christmas Day of that year. Beside the 
various labors enumerated, our subject founded 
the present library, raised the funds (!|20,000) for 
tlie building of Library Hall, and gave the college 
a national reputation. He tendered his resigna- 
tion !is President in 1884, but retained his posi- 
tion as Professor six years longer, when he re- 
signed. Made a trustee of the college at Daven- 
port in 1856, he held it continuously until his 
resignation as President. Thus it will be seen 
that he has been a Director for twenty-eight years, 
a Professor twenty-six years and President for 
twenty years. 

Our subject has been married twice, his first 
wife being Miss Abby Anne Hyde, born at Bath, 
and who died at Lyons, Iowa, in 1864. His second 
wife. Miss Elizabeth Earl, he married at Water- 
bur}', Conn., in 1870. She was born in Bruns- 
wick, Me., and is a graduate of Mt. Holyoke 
Seminary, where she subsequently taught for ten 
years, after which she was Lady Principal of the 
University of Wisconsin at Madison for twoj'cars, 
afterward holding the same position at Water- 
bury. After the tornado she became from neces- 
sity Lady Principal for two ^-ears of Iowa College. 
Mrs. M.agoun has been very active in foreign mis- 
sionary work, delivering addresses upon that sub- 
ject in many of the States. The children of the 
first marriage were as follows: Mary R., a gradu- 
ate of Iowa College, wife of Hon. N. B. Raymond, 
of Des Moines; Hannah W., wife of Rev. S. G. 
Barnes, of Long Meadow; and David 0., a printer 
of Mt. Pleasant, Iowa. There is but one child b}' 
the second marri.age, Emily AV., a teacher of the 
violin at the Normal School at Ilumestone, Iowa. 
Frederick II., the eldest of all the children, a grad- 
uate of Iowa College, and pastor of the Congre- 
gational Church of Storm Lake, died at Grinnell. 
Dr. Magoun now gives his time to literar}', tem- 



perance and religious work, being an original 
temperance man and continually active in that in- 
terest. He has been a member of the Iowa State 
Temperance Alliance for a number of years, and 
has delivered a great many lectures. At the time 
of his resignation he was the second oldest college 
president in the United States, and is now a mem- 
ber of the Alpha Delta Phi and of the Phi Beta 
Kappa Societies. The literary labors of Dr. Ma- 
goun have been consideralile. Beside those named 
above he wrote the life of Father Turner, the first 
Congregational minister in Iowa. He traveled to 
the Pacific coast in the Iowa editors' excursion, 
when he preached a month in San Francisco, 
where, in 1865, he was invited to the pastorate of 
the Congregational Church. This he declined 
with the others previously alluded to. He was a 
delegate to the Congregational Union of England 
and Wales, and the National Congress at London. 
While abroad in 1864, he was the guest of the 
United States minister at Berne, Switzerland. 

Tlie father of our subject, beside successfully 
conducting his large and varied business interests, 
was a member of tlic ]\Iaine Legislature in both 
branches, was the first M.ayor of the city of Bath, 
and was one of the authors of the Maine Law, the 
first prohibitory enactment in America. This es- 
timable man lived to the ripe old .age of eighty- 
one years. He was an exemplary member ol the 
Congregational Church, and a prominent Whig un- 
til the organization of the Republican party, when 
he ardently supported that organization. His 
mother, Anna C. (Webb) Magoun, was born at 
Bath, and was the daughter of Hon. William Webb, 
who was collector of the port of that place during 
the War of 1812. She died at the age of about 
seventy-eight years, having been the mother of 
seven children, six hoys and one girl, four of 
whom are living. Our subject, the third child, 
grew up at Bath, where he received his prepara- 
tory education in the academy, later, in 1837, en- 
tering Bowdoin College, from which he graduated 
with the degree of B.achelor of Arts, having that 
of Master of Arts conferred afterward. His theo- 
logical studies were pursued at Bath, the seminary 
at Andover and at Yale, four years being devoted 
to them. He next turned his f.ace Westward, in 



468 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1844 being Principal of the schools at Galena, 
111., for one year, then Principal at Plattville 
eigiiteen months, after which he returned to An- 
(lover. Studying there one year, he came West 
and was ordained as a clergyman in the Congre- 
gational Church at Shellsburg, Wis., at wiiich 
place he became a home missionary, founding the 
church there. After seven months he again went 
to Galena, where he served the Second Presby- 
terian Church as pastor for three years. He then 
was pastor of the Congregational Church at Dav- 
enport for five years, from 1855 to 1860, and at 
Lyons until 1862, when he was called to the presi- 
dency of Iowa College. 

Our subject visited Europe in 1864, being 
twent3'-nine days on the ocean in crossing to Liv- 
erpool, and took in England, Scotland, Germany, 
Belgium, Holland, France and Switzerland, spend- 
ing considerable time in the various institutions 
of learning in England and Germany. He reached 
home in the winter of 1865, and located at Grinnell, 
JNIarch 10, following, and assumed charge of Iowa 
College, taking, as well, the professorship of meta- 
physics, logic and esthetics. To these arduous 
duties was added the task of raising the funds 
necessary for the maintenance of the school. The 
institution started out favorablj', with one hun- 
dred and thirl}' pupils, and has continued to grow, 
until now it has five hundred. The first misfor- 
tune that befell the college was the burning of the 
east building, upon the site of which has been 
erected Alumni Hall. Without the loss of a reci- 
tation the college went on its way, the chapel 
being converted into a recitation room. In 
June of the following 3'ear, 1882, the cyclone 
came and destroj'ed everything. AVith character- 
istic prf)mptitude Dr. Magoun laid the corner- 
stone of the Alumni building and pushed it to com- 
pletion, going East and raising monej' for it. 
He prevailed upon the citizens of Chicago to raise 
money toward building Chicago Hall, and in fact 
was indefatigable in his endeavors. Yet things 
ran along smoothly at the college, twenty-nine 
students being graduated in the summer of 1882. 
Our subject is a Republican of the most pro- 
nounced type, having been one of the founders of 
the party in 1853 and 1857; he was an earnest 



anti-slavery man prior to this, and was associated 
with the late Senator Grimes in political work. 
Beside delivering speeches and otherwise lending 
his influences to the success of the Republican 
party, he has been a delegate to county and State 
conventions. 



1^ DWARD LITDOR, the subject of this 
1^ sketch, began life as a poor boy, and with 
/I' — ii) his own hand and active and intelligent 
brain he has placed himself in the ranks of the 
wealthiest men of Johnson County, Iowa. He is 
President of the Iowa City Packing and Provision 
Company, of Iowa City, and lives upon a large 
and splendid farm on section 25, in Union Town- 
ship, in the county named. 

Mr. Ludor, a pioneer settler, was born in Mont- 
gomeryshire, North Wales, March 16, 1825, be- 
ing the son of Richard and Elizabeth (Lumley) 
Ludor, natives of the same place as their son, 
where the father was a farmer. The parents came 
to America in 1831, and located upon a farm in 
Cambria County, Pa., remaining there until 1845, 
when they removed to Johnson County, Iowa. 
Here the father became one of the first settlers, tak- 
ing up laud from the Government, upon which he 
lived until his death in 1876. The mother was a 
daughter of a native of Wales, and she died at the 
age of fort^'-five. She bore her husband seven 
children, four daughters and three sons, all of 
whom grew to maturity, four of the children yet 
living. 

Our subject is the fourth child and the third son, 
and was in his sixth year when he crossed the 
ocean with his parents to Pennsylvania, and there 
was reared and educated, living with his father 
until he was married, in September, 1856. The 
maiden name of his wife was Elizabeth Baxter. She 
was a native of Cambria County, Pa., where she was 
reared and educated. Mr. Ludor located in John- 
son County, Iowa, taking up Government land 



'J^^ 



-r 










P ,^ 



1 





PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



471 



adjoining his father's farm, the tract iiaving no 
improvements upon it, and it remained for him to 
bring it out of its wild state, whicii it is scarcely 
necessary to say he did. He now owns four hun- 
dred and eight acres in one body, and forty acres 
of timberland; also another farm adjoining What- 
cheer, Keokuk County, Iowa, containing one hun- 
dred and two acres. Mr. Ludor is one of the 
stockholders and Directors in the Johnson County 
Savings Bank, and is President of the Iowa City 
Packing and Provision Company. 

Mr. and Mrs. Ludor are the parents of four chil- 
dren, namely: C3'rus, living at home; Mary .lane, 
who died at the age of thirty-two; Elizalicth R., wife 
of Evan Rowland; and Richard B., living at home 
upon the farm. Mr. Ludor is a man well posted 
on all public questions and can converse most in- 
terestingly on these subjects, liis reading and study 
having led him into the Republican party, in 
whose ranks he is regarded as a most valuable 
helper, his influence being considerable, so highly 
is he esteemed and so prized are his opinions by 
the general public. He was Trustee of Union 
Township, School Director and a member of the 
Board of Supervisors. Our subject and his wife 
are members of the Congregational Church and 
lake much interest in tlie wt)rk of that denomina- 
tion. 



AV^D S. BARBER, Justice of the Peace. 
)]] The public services of Mr. Barber have 
been characterized by a noticeable devo- 
tion to the welfare of iiis city, and his abil- 
ity to adjust the difliculties of his neighboi-s in a 
satisfactory manner has become well known. Nu- 
merous petty difficulties of his district find their 
way to his office and as a rule he sends the parties 
away in a better humor with themselves and with 
the world in general than on coming to him, for 
he is a skilled reader of human nature and has the 
happy faculty' of expressing himself in a jileasing, 
forcible and convincing way. He was born in 



Chenango County, N. Y., on the 3d of Decem- 
ber, 1830, being the seventh of a family of 
twelve children born to Moses and Maiy (Cran- 
dall) Barber, the former of whom was born in 
Providence, R. I., where he first saw the light in 
the year 17'Jt. He was a contractor and builder 
by occupation, and a son of Moses Barber, who was 
of Englisli birth and an intelligent and respected 
citizen. The mother was the daughter of Luke 
Crandall, in whose veins flowed sturdy British 
blood, and who was a successful man of affairs. 
Mrs. Barber was born in Stonington County in 
1796 and was a woman well known for her man3' 
worthy traits of character. 

David S. Barber enjoyed such early scholastic 
training as the common schools of his youthful 
days afforded, and at the age of fourteen removed 
with his parents to Cattaraugus County, N. Y., 
where he attained man's estate, his time and atten- 
tion being given to clerking in a store. In 1864 
he gave up his position and, bidding adieu to home 
and friends, turned his face Westward for the pur- 
pose of seeking his fortune, for he rightl3- con- 
jectured that the great West was the proper place 
to accumulate wealth, and soon after arriving at 
Iowa Citj' he secured tiie position of cashier in the 
general mercantile store of W. B. Daniels & Co., a 
few years later purchasing a one-fourth interest in 
the establishment, continuing as such until 1869, 
when be sold out to engage in the insurance bus- 
iness, to which his attention was successful!}' di- 
rected until 1872, when he became cashier in the 
general store owned by T. K. Wilson & Co. 

In 1878 the sound, impartial and intelligent 
views of our subject were recognized and he was 
elected to the office of Justice of the Peace, the 
duties of which position he has discharged in a 
most capable and conscientious manner up to the 
present time, a period of sixteen years. In 1860 
he went to Buffalo, N. Y., for the purpose of taking 
a course in Bryant & Stratton's Commercial Col- 
lege, and after successfully completing the course 
he became a teacher in the ladies' department in 
the same institution, and for two years was one of 
the most successful teachers in that institution. 
After giving up his position in the college he was 
a merchant in Chenango Count}', N. Y., in part- 



472 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



nership with his brother, the firm being known as 
Barber Bros., general merchants; then, as above 
slated, he came West for the purpose of seeing 
wliat Dame Fortune liad in store for liim. 

Mr. Barber was married in 1861 to Miss Laura 
M. Wellman, a native of Allegany County, N. Y., 
and a daughter of Jonas Wellman. A few years after 
the celebration of their nuptials Mrs. Barber was 
called from life, leaving a daughter, Laura, who is 
the wife of E. C. Nichols, of West Liberty, Iowa. 
For his second wife Mr. Barber married IMiss S. 
Louise Brainard, of Iowa City, daughter of Nathan 
Brainard, and to his second union three children 
have been granted: Mary E., wife of Lieut. H. C. 
Ely, of Ft. Keogh, Mont.; Kalherine B., a teacher 
of the Denison High School and a graduate of the 
State University of Iowa; and Nathan B., who is a 
student in the High School of Iowa Cit}'. Mrs. 
Barber died at her home in Iowa City April 6, 
1893. She was a worthy Christian, holding mem- 
bership with the Congregational Church. Mr. 
liarber has always affiliated w ith the Democratic 
party and is a worth}' member of the Congrega- 
tional Church. He has a nice residence at No. 214 
Church Street, Iowa City, where he enjoys the 
comforts of a pleasant home, surrounded by his 
famil}' and numerous friends, whom his correct 
mode of living has gathered about him. Mr. 
Barber was for years a member of the City Coun- 
cil and in 1889 was elected to fill the unexpired 
term of ,Tohn .1. Holmes as Mayor. 



EDWARD RILI.Y, an able, energetic and 
enterprising citizen, and for more than a 
quarter of a century a trusted employe, 
efficiently discharging the duties of a responsible 
railroad position, now devotes his time to the 
cultivation of his fine farm located upon section 
28, Scott Township, Johnson County, Iowa, and is 
one of the most successful agriculturists in this 
portion of the county. Our subject was born in 



County Meath, Ireland, in 1826, and, reared and 
educated in his native land, grew up to intelligent 
manliood in the Queen's dominion, and, wiien be- 
ginning life for himself, at first engaged in farming. 
He afterward received emplo3'ment in a brewery 
in the cit}' of Dublin, and made liis home in this 
metropolis the eleven years prior to his departure 
for America. 

During his residence in Dublin Mr. Riley was 
united in marriage with his first wife, Miss Ann 
Nugent, by whom he became the father of two 
children, a son and a daughter, .James and Mary 
Ann. Our subject came to Johnson Count3-,Iowa, 
from Wisconsin in the winter of 1856. and entered 
the employ of the old M. & M. R. R. Co., which 
later became the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific 
Railroad, and continued in the permanent service 
of this line for twenty-five years. Mr. Rile}' was 
section foreman and also foreman of construction, 
and during this long period of time gave perfect 
satisfaction to the management of the road. 
While thus eraploj'ed he bought his present home- 
stead but continued to reside in Downey, Cedar 
County, Iowa, until, abandoning his former line of 
work, he settled upon his farm and devoted him- 
self to the tilling of the soil. 

Aside from the continuous service which our 
subject gave this well-known line of railroad, he 
was variously employed at different times b}' the 
companies, and for a period of thirty years was 
almost exclusively engaged in this most important 
branch of work. In Iowa City, in IMaj', 1861, 
Mr. Riley a second time entered into matri- 
mony, marrying Miss Mary Sanders, a native of 
Kilkenny County, Ireland. The happy home of 
our subject and his excellent wife was greatly 
brightened by the birth of ten children, eight of 
the sons and daughters still surviving. William 
H., the eldest-born, married Miss Nellie Sullivan, 
and has been in the service of the Chicago, Rock 
Island and Pacific Railroad for six ^'ears as en- 
gineer. Kate is the wife of Frank Wilkinson. 
Edward W., Ellen, Jfihn J., Frank, Alice and Charles 
M. are yet in tiie enjoyment of single blessedness. 

Mr. and Mrs. Riley gave to their children tlie 
excellent advantages for an education attainable 
in the home schools of their neis-hborhood. Their 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



473 



sons and daughters worthily fill positions of use- 
fulness and influence, and together with their 
father, receive the respect and high regard of a 
large circle of warm friends. 

The beloved mother, while upon a visit at the 
residence of her son in Horton, Kan., where she 
had arrived two weeks previousl}', passed away 
after a brief illness, November 12, 1892, deeply 
mourned by all who knew her. Our subject has 
always been prominently identified with the Dem- 
ocratic party, and is activel}' interested in local 
elections. A man of earnest purpose and intelli- 
gent consideration, he gives due weight to the 
questions of the hour, and freely exercises his 
prerogative as a true and loj-al American citizen. 
Tiained in his early youth to a full knowledge of 
the best methods of agriculture, Mr. Riley has 
brought his farm up to a high state of cultivation, 
and has well improved the homestead b}' the erec- 
tion of an excellent residence and substantial barns 
and outbuildings. A practical man of business, 
his dail}' cares absorb most of his time, but he is 
also an important factor in local enterprise and a 
ready aid in all matters of home improvement. 



Ifk^ W. COOK, a prominent pioneer settler of 
I \\\ Iowa, and a cultured citizen of high 
I w literary attainments, and now the able and 
^ well-known correspondent of various met- 

ropolitan newspapers, was in earlier days one of 
the most successful teachers in the State of Iowa, 
and has for many years resided upon section 18, 
Oxford Township, Johnson County. Our subject 
is a native of Carroll County, Ohio, and was born 
Jul}- 16, 1838. His father, John Cook, was born 
in Washington County, Pa., on the 25th of 
January, 1800, and when about ten years of 
age, came with his parents to Columbiana County, 
Ohio, where he remained until the year 1824, 
when he made his home in Carroll County, there 
marrying Miss Susan Casselman. She was born 
in Washington Count}-, Pa., in 1802. her par- 



ents having removed to Ohio when she was about 
ten years old. In 1851 our subject came to John- 
son County, Iowa, with his father's family, and 
located where he now resides. His father had pre- 
viously visited Iowa, in 1849 and 1850, and taken 
up a large tract of land, upon the improvement of 
which he then immediately engaged. The humble 
dwelling in which John Cook installed his wife 
and familj' was a small cabin built of round logs, 
and our subject still has in his possession the red 
chest which then served as the family table. The}- 
also possessed half a dozen split-bottomed chairs, 
which had been manufactured in Iowa County. 
These articles constituted the stock of furniture 
which graced the home of the ambitious and en- 
terprising pioneer settlers. 

The Cooks, especially the father and one son, 
Henry, were great hunters, and in 1851-52-53 and 
'54 killed two hundred deer, one having shot one 
hundred and one, and the other killing ninety-nine, 
using only common rifles. Father Cook passed to 
his rest upon the old farm in 1873, and was 
mourned by the acquaintances of early days. He 
was a kind friend and faithful citizen. An active 
Democrat, he was elected to various positions of 
trust, giving to the duties of oflice earnest and con- 
scientious attention. As County Supervisor in 1863 
and '64 his services were especially valuable to the 
general public. He was well known throughout 
the county and possessed the esteem of many 
friends. The paternal grandfather, Michael Koch, 
or as now pronounced Cook, was born in Virginia, 
but the great-grandfather Koch was a native of 
Prussia. The maternal grandfather was born in 
Pennsylvania, also the birthplace of the mother of 
our subject, who survived to reach her eight}'- 
eighth year, d3-ing in 1890. Father and ^Mother 
Cook were the parents of ten children, four daugh- 
ters and six sons. Eight of the brothers and sis- 
ters survived to maturity, and four daughters and 
two sons are now living. 

Our subject was the eighth child and the fourth 
son and was but thirteen years old when he came to 
the State of Iowa. He had attended the schools 
of his native place, and completed his studies in 
Johnson County. At nineteen years of ago lie 
entered upon the career of a school teacher and 



474 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRATHICAL RECORD, 



taught thirty-three terms in the various grades 
from the common-schools to the normal insti- 
tute. 

Mr. Cook was in December, 1859, united in mar- 
riage with Miss Hester Talbott, a native of Warren 
County, Ind. The father of Mrs. Cook, Daniel 
Talbott, was born in Oiiio, but her mother was a 
native of the Empire State. Mrs. Cook was the 
third child of the famil}' and eame to Johnson 
County in 184,5, locating near the present site of 
Homestead, Iowa Count}', Iowa, in 1846. Imme- 
diately following his marriage, Mr. Cook settled in 
Iowa County, Iowa, and taught school for a time. 
In 1862 he enlisted in the Twenty-eighth Iowa In- 
fantry and served until 1864, when, October 
19, he was severely wounded at Cedar Creek, Va., 
''with (>heridan twenty miles away," going down 
in a charge just as the glad cry of victory rose cheer 
upon cheer. In 1865, honorably discharged, Mr. 
Cook returned to his home and was nominated as 
Representative by his soldier friends but declined 
to become a candidate against the Republican nom- 
inee. In 1866 he emigrated to Nebraska, where 
he served one year as County Surveyor in John- 
son County, in that State. He was then engaged 
in teaching, having a select school at Hillsdale, in 
Nemaha County, where he taught for three years, 
returning to Iowa in 1871, and following the oc- 
cupations of farming and teaching until 1876. 
Our sul)ject was a teacher in the schools of Daven- 
port Township, Scott County-, for three years, and 
returned to Oxford Township in 1879, locating 
upon the Cook homestead, where he now resides. 
He wrote the interesting "Annals of Oxford" for 
publication in the Oxford Journal in 1880. 

In 1883 Mr. Cook was appointed Postm.aster of 
Oxford, Iowa, and entering upon his ofHcial duties 
also took charge of the Oxford Journal, but was 
soon obliged, upon account of failing health, to 
abandon both positions of responsibility. Since 
then the hearing of our subject has been very de- 
fective, but with courageous resolution he bears 
trials and disappointments and keeps up as brave a 
front as he did upon the other battlefield so many 
years ago. He devotes much of his time to writ- 
ing for tlie press, being a regular correspondent of a 
number of newspapers and magazines. Frater- 



nally, Mr. Cook is a member of Canopy Lodge 
No. 292, A. F. & A. M., (Jxford, Iowa, and is also 
connected with George A. Remlej- Post No. 183, 
G. A. R., of Oxford. His name is on the pension 
roll, a fact of which he is proud, and he gets 122 
per month. The pleasant homestead contains one 
hundred and nine acres under fine cultivation. 
Three sons and one daughter have gathered in the 
family cirvAe of our subject and his estimable wife. 
John II. is the Principal of a school at Mountain 
Peak, Ellis County, Tex. Milton W. is a prosper- 
ous farmer of Iowa County. Arthur T. is a 
teacher and student and resides at home. Ella L. 
is attending school at Ogden, Utah. The sons are 
all members of Canopy Lodge No. 292, A. F. 
& A. M., and, occupying positions of usefulness 
and influence, are numbered among the rising and 
successful men of to-day. Having devoted him- 
self in the vigor of manhood to the preservation 
of national existence, and being ever ready with 
word and pen to vindicate the principles of right 
and justice, Mr. Cook modestly claims a place 
among the liberal-spirited, progressive and patri- 
otic American citizens, to whom the prosperity of 
our beloved country is to-day mainly due. 



I^HiH^P-= 



LBERT WESTCOTT, a prosperous general 
IG^/uli agriculturist and leading citizen, promi- 
nentl}' associated with the local interests 
of Scott Township, Johnson County, Iowa, 
owns a valuable homestead, pleasant!}' located on 
section 16, where he devotes himself to the culti- 
vation of his fine farm, which annually yields an 
abundant harvest and is one of the best countiy 
properties in this part of the State. Mr. Westcott 
is a native of Milford, Otsego County, N. Y., and 
was born March 17, 1833. The paternal grand- 
father, .John Westcott, was born and reared in 
Rhode Island, and there reared his family, his son, 
Albert AVestcott, being the father of our subject. 
His mother, Charlotte (Hissell) Westcott, was a na- 
tive of New York State but of New England par- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



475 



entage. Father and Mother Westcott removed to 
■Johnson County in 18()<) and resided in Iowa City 
until their deatli at an advanced age. 

Our subject spent the days of early boyhood in 
his birthplace until the fall of 1848, when he 
went to Painesville, Lake County, Ohio, where he 
attended school for three years. He then received 
employment in a drug-store in Warren, Ohio, 
and remained busily engaged as a clerk, also serv- 
ing an apprenticeship to the business, for three 
years. From Trumbull County, Ohio, Mr. Westcott 
journej'ed to the Westward, arriving in John- 
son County in the late fall of 1854. Settling in 
Iowa City, he successfully engaged in the drug 
business until the spring of 18.59, when he sold out 
and, deciding to enter into agricultural duties, 
made his permanent home in Scott Township, pur- 
chasing his present farm. Progressive in his ideas, 
and of sound practical judgment, Mr. Westcott 
has not onlj' made his avocation as a tiller of the 
soil a profitable one, but has also engaged in stock- 
raising with excellent results, and for over thirty 
years has each recurring season received handsome 
returns for time and labor expended. 

Upon the 4th of .January, 1866, our subject and 
Miss Mary Parrott were united in marriage in Iowa 
City. Mrs. Westcott was horn June 4, 1844, in 
Iowa and was the daughter of John Parrott, one 
of the pioneer settlers of Johnson County and a 
citizen of much ability and highly respected. He 
died in Scott Township in June, 1885, univcrsallj^ 
regretted by the entire community among whom 
he had passed so many years of busy usefulness. 
Mrs. Westcott's mother, Savannah (King) Parrott, 
was a long-time resident of Johnson County, where, 
surviving her husband one year, she passed away 
in 1886. Mr. Parrott was born in Washington 
County, Md., and his wife was a native of Mead- 
ville, Pa. The happy home of Mr. and Mrs. AVest- 
cutt has been brightened by the birth of six chil- 
dren, two sons and four daughters. Adda, the eldest 
of the family, is the wife of Thomas J. Stevenson; 
Minnie S. is the wife of E. A. Patterson; Katie E., 
Albert L., Wallace B. and Elizabeth M. are un- 
married and yet within the shelter of the home. 

Our subject has always taken an abiding interest 
in local and national issues, and ever since the 



formation of the Republican party has been num- 
bered among its firm adherents. Liberal in his re- 
ligious sentiments, he extends to all worthy enter- 
prises of his locality a helping hand, and, upright 
in character and of high moral purpose, has stead- 
ily won his upward way, enjoying the regard of 
many true friends. His wife and children are 
social favorites and welcome a large circle of ac- 
quaintances to their hospitable home, the abode of 
cheery content, and which for the past score and 
a-half of changing years has been known through- 
out the county as the Westcott Farm. 



\T| ERRY STOVP^K. Among the leading fam- 
ilies of the county for over half a cen- 
tury the Stover family has been prominent 
The progenitors of the family in Amer- 
ica were natives of Germany, and the granti- 
father of our subject, who was a native of the Old 
Dominion, was two years under Gen. Washington 
during the struggle of the Colonies for their inde- 
pendence, and was with him at the time of Corn- 
wallis' surrender. Joseph and Hester (Yount) 
Stover, who were married in Tennessee, became 
the parents of eleven children, of whom our subject 
is the sixth in order of birth. The father was a 
native of Virginia, and was in service during the 
War of 1812 on the frontier. Shortly after the 
termination of that conflict he made a location in 
Wayne County, Ind., where he remained nearly a 
quarter of a century. Coming to Johnson County 
in 1838, he entered land in Fremont Township, 
and finally located where his son Jacob Y. now 
resides. 

Jerry Stover of this sketch was born in Wayne 
Count3% Ind., in 1819. The record of his brothers 
and sisters is as follows: Elizabeth became the wife 
of James Rawlston in AV.ayne County, Ind.; he 
died iu 1833 from that dread disease, cholera, and 
she afterward married Samuel Walker, who was one 
of the pioneers of .lohnson County. Racliael wed- 
ded Abraham Smith, both of whom are now de- 



476 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



ceased. Their only son, Kiley, resides in Jeffer- 
son, Mont. .Sarah was twice married, her first 
union being with Seth Warren, who died in Indi- 
ana, after which she became the wife of Joseph 
Wallace, who was drowned in fording tiie Iowa 
River in 1856. Catherine, Mrs. James P. Weaver, 
formerly of Indiana, is now living in Erie, Kan.; 
Mary wedded Benjamin Hitter in 1837, they hav- 
ing tlie honor of being the first couple married in 
Johnson County. They returned to St. Joseph 
County, Ind., where they lived for a number of 
years, but are now citizens of this county. Ruth is 
the wife of James McGruder, of Fremont Town- 
ship. A sketch of Jacob Y. appears elsewhere in 
tills work; Susannah is the wife of Isaac Smith, of 
Iowa City. Margaret and Joiui are both deceased. 

In 1844 Mr. Stover, our subject, was united in 
marriage with Martha A. Gardner, by whom he 
had one daughter, named for her mother Martha 
A. She is now the wife of Ed Trine, of Osborne 
County, Kan. In November, 1857, Mr. Stover 
wedded Louisa, daughter of John Boos, who was a 
native of Kentucky, and whose father, Henry 
Boos, was born in Switzerland, where his first wife 
died. After coming to Pennsylvania he was again 
married. Mrs. Stover's mother, Lovica, daughter 
of Peter Headrick, was a native of Scotland. Mrs. 
Stover was born in Rockville County, Ind., and 
by her union with our subject became the motiier 
of eleven children, three of whom have been 
called to the home beyond. Those surviving 
are: John; Joseph; Lovica, wife of James Mc- 
Laughlin; J. Scott; Euphemia L., who was edu- 
cated at Iowa City, and is one of the most pro- 
gressive and intelligent school teachers of the 
county; Charles E., Ella and Jacob. Those de- 
ceased are, Willie, Thomas and Jessie. 

Mr. Stover entered the farm on which he now 
resides, a tract then comprising eighty-four acres, 
to which he has constantly added as his finances 
would permit, until the boundaries of his farm 
contain within their limits three hundred acres of 
valuable and arable farm land. He has good and 
substantial farm buildings and has brought his 
property into a first-class condition. Year bj^ 
year his fields of waving grain have brought rich 
returns to the owner, and in numberless ways has 



his fortune been constantly improved. In 1849 
he started for California by way of New Orleans 
and the Isthmus of Panama. While crossing the 
Gulf of Mexico, the ship on which he was a pass- 
enger was caught in a severe storm. They nar- 
rowly escaped a watery grave, were driven far 
from their i)roper course, and were landed atClia- 
gres, Soutii America, from which point Mr. Stover 
proceeded to California, arriving in the Golden 
Slate on the 8th of April, 1850. During the long 
delay and his round-about journey his means had 
become completely exhausted, and he was there- 
fore obliged to take the first employment which 
came to hand, whereby he might earn an honest 
dollar. Going to Sacramento, he there obtained 
employment at |10 a day, and was thus soon en- 
abled to continue his journey to the mines in Ne- 
vada, where he was actively engaged in mining 
for the [)recious metal during the succeeding three 
years. At last, concluding to return home, he went 
by way of Central America to New York City, and 
on his arrival at home found that he had still left 
considerable money, which he at once invested to 
good advantage in land. At the time he was in 
California two of his brothers were also there and 
were quite successful. Mr. Stover and his worthy 
wife are respected members of the Christian 
Church and well merit the friendship and love 
which are freely bestowed upon them by all of tiieir 
neighbors and acquaintances. 



i>^^<i 



;.ILLIAM PROSSER. Among the oldest 
living settlers of Wasliington Townshi[), 
and its largest land-owner, is the well- 
known gentleman of this sketch. He is a native 
of the Buckeye State, Richland County contain- 
ing his birthplace, the event occurring November 
25, 1821. On the paternal side he is of English 
descent, while his mother was of Irish origin. A 
short history of his ancestors will be found in the 
biography of Daniel D. Prosser, in another por- 
tion of this work. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



477 



Our subject is a son of William and Catherine 
(Dempsey) Prosser, both natives of Virginia, and 
the former a farmer by occupation. William 
Prosser, .Jr., was reared on his father's farm until 
reaching tlie age of fifteen years, his education be- 
ing obtained in the typical primitive log school- 
house of frontier days. Removing to Brown 
County, Ind., in 1836, he resided there for three 
years, and thence went to Morgan County, 111., from 
which place he emigrated in the spring of 1848 
to Iowa. He at once took up a claim in Wash- 
ington Township, there being then only a few set- 
tlers in this region, hut numbers of Indians. Herds 
of deer and antelope and bands of wolves still 
roamed the wide prairies, and made the country 
seem by their presence all the more desolate and 
uncivilized. 

On April lO, 1858, Mr. Prosser and Elizabeth 
Jenkins were joined in marriage. The latter was 
born in Monougahela, W. Va., June 3, 1832, and 
came with her mother to this neighborhood Octo- 
ber 10, 1854. Her parents were Tliomas and 
Nancy (Stafford) Jenkins, both likewise natives 
of West Virginia. The former was a farmer, and 
during liis early life was a boatman on the Ohio 
and Mi-ssissippi Rivers. He started to move liis 
family to Indiana in April of 1837, and while on 
the journey down was stricken by the reaper Death. 
His family went on to Brown County, Ind., where 
they made their home until 1854. Mr. and Mrs. 
Prosser have no children. 

Soon after his marriage our subject located on 
his present farm in a little log cabin, which is still 
standing, and at the end of three years erected a 
more pretentious dwelling. His present large and 
pleasant frame residence was erected in 1874. 
His farm, which he has entirely developed him- 
self, comprises nine hundred acres, three hundred 
and twenty of which are in liis home place, three 
hundred in another farm, and two hundred and 
forty acres comprising the third. He has carried 
on mixed farming and raised large quantities of 
cattle and hogs. During the first j'ears of his res- 
idence in the county his ti-ading was done at Ot- 
tumwa, and in order to find a market for his hogs 
he used to drive them to Keokuk. In 1851, Mr. 
Prosser went to California overland with an ox- 



team. There were three in the company, and their 
journey was only accomplished at the end of five 
months. He was in California for four years, dur- 
ing that time being actively engaged in mining in 
the northern part of the Slate. His trip was quite 
successful and he returned to his home with a 
snug little sum. Politically, he is a stanch ally of 
the Democracy. 



&^m^^^mm^^^ 



\f/OHN THOMPSON, one of the leading agri- 
culturists of Washington Township, Powe- 
shiek Count}', makes his home on section 
15. Beginning at the lowest round on the 
ladder of success he has steadily worked his way 
upward through his native qualities of industry 
and perseverance. He has been identified with 
the best interests and improvements in tliis por- 
tion of the county for nearly forty years. 

Our subject's birth occurred in Belmont County, 
Ohio, March 27, 1827. His father, Andrew Tiioin|)- 
son, was a native of County Antrim, Ireland, and 
left his birthplace in 1806 and sought a home in 
the New World. At that time he was in his early 
manhood and went immediately to Belmont 
Count}', Ohio, where he was one of the honored early 
settlers. He entered land from the Government, 
and made a settlement in the thick wilderness, 
where he erected a log cabin and developed a 
farm. He sold out his property of one hundred 
and sixty acres and removed to Guernse}' Count}-, 
in the same State, in 1841, where he lived the re- 
mainder of his life. He was a member of the old 
Presbyterian Church and used liis right of fran- 
chise in favor of the Democratic party. At the 
age of eighty-five years he was called to the home 
beyond, leaving a host of friends who sincerely 
mourned his loss. He was married in Ohio to Miss 
Margaret J. Auld,also a native of County Antrim, 
Ireland, who came to America in her girlhood. 
To them were born three children: Margaret J., 
John and .Joseph. The faithful wife and mother 



478 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



departed this life in 1824. She was also a consist- 
ent member of the Presbyterian Church and a lady 
wliose amiable qualities endeared her to all. 

John Thompson, our subject, was reared on his 
father's new farm in the wilderness and attended 
the primitive log sclioolhouses of those early days. 
It is needless to say that the schooihouses of our 
fatliers were not furnished with all the modern 
appliances of our present admirable school system. 
On reaching his majority Mr. Thompson started 
out to make his own way and for four years en- 
gaged in working for neighboring farmers at the 
munificent compensation of $9 per month. In 
1850 he went to Washington County, Pa., wiiere 
he worked at anything that came to hand, whereby 
he miglit make an honest living. 

In Peunyslvania occurred the marriage of Mr. 
Thompson and Susan J. Noah, whose birthplace 
was in Ohio and who removed with her parents 
to the Ke^'stone State when quite young. To 
our worthy subject and his wife six children were 
born, wiio were as follows: Andrew C, Elizabeth 
(deceased), James, Joseph, John and Edward. For 
thirty-six years the wife was a kind and loving 
companion and a tender motiier, but on December 
26, 1888, her family were bereft of her presence. 
For many years she had been a member of the 
Friends' Church and b^' lier amiable qualities had 
made man}' friends in the neighborhood of her 
home. 

In the early '50s Mr. Thompson relumed to 
Guernsey County, Ohio, where he engaged in cul- 
tivating a farm for four years, after which he re- 
moved to Rock Island County, 111. In that State 
he made his home for three years and then settled 
in Muscatine Count}', Iowa, where for nine years 
he was a leading farmer and citizen. In 1869 he 
located on his present farm, which had but few 
improvements uiwn it. His homestead now com- 
prises three hundred and twenty acres which are 
all under thorough cultivation. He has made a 
specialty of raising grain and has met with signal 
success in his various undertakings. He erected 
his present commodious frame residence in 1881 
and five years later built a large barn. In his po- 
litical views our subject is a strong Democrat and 
is public-spirited, though not one who is desirous 



of serving in oflicial positions. He is esteemed as 
one of tiie representative citizens and one whose 
word is never questioned, and he is well known 
to be a man of upright ciiaracter and unimpeacli- 
able honor. 



-^ 



=!«»-' ••• j;i(gj) j (^ ••• f^p= 



'^ 



^AVID SWEET, deceased since 1845, but 
who was one of tlie fl rst settlers of Fremont 
Township, Johnson County, Iowa, was a 
native of Champaign County, Ohio, where 
he was born about 1800, and in that county grew 
to mature years and was married to Miss Lydia 
Russell. In 1838 they came to Johnson County, 
Iowa, with a colony, among whom were the Stov- 
ers, James Magruder, William Kelso and others, in 
all, sixteen families. They located in what is now 
F'remont Township and lived in a camp the first 
summer. He and his wife died where they pitched 
their first tent, or on the same land. Mr. Sweet 
entered the eighty acres on which he lived till the 
time of his death, which is now owned by his son 
Caleb. David Sweet was a son of Joshua Sweet, 
who was a pioneer in Ohio, as was also his wife. 
To David and his wife five children were born, 
two of whom first saw the light in Ohio. William 
T. and Caleb are now residents of Fremont Town- 
ship; Martha became the wife of Henry AValker 
after coming to Iowa; Louisa is the wife of Zeph 
Cray, of southwestern Iowa; and Angeline is the 
wife of G. W. Maxwell, of Story County, Iowa. 

Caleb Sweet was three years of age upon the lo- 
cation of his parents in Iowa, and in this county 
grew to manhood on his father's farm. He was an 
active and energetic lad, intelligent, wide-awake 
and pushing and soon became well posted in the 
details of agriculture. He had for some time been 
anxious to seek his fortune in the West, and in 
1853 crossed the plains to California, driving an 
ox-team, the journey to the Eldorado of the West 
taking six months. He was absent from home for 
over six years, working in the mines in Trinity 
County, during which time he saved some money- 



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il ::j. lA. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



481 



After Lis return home in 1859, he at once engaged 
in farming and when the first call was issued for 
men to assist in putting down the Rebellion and in 
tlie preservation of the Union, he at once offered 
his services and in August, 1861, became a member 
of Company G, Second Iowa Cavalry, and joined 
Pope's army in Missouri and afterward Grant's 
army in front of Corinth, Miss. On the 30th of 
May, 1862, Mr. Sweet was captured at Boonville, 
Miss., and sent with others to Mobile, Ala., but 
eventually landed in the notorious Libby Prison, 
in Virginia. In October, 1862, he was paroled and 
re-joined his regiment at Grand Junction, Tenn. 
His regiment remained with Gen. Grierson in that 
State, but afterward took part in the battles of 
luka, Corinth, the capture of Holly Springs, Tu- 
pelo and numerous small skirmishes and engage- 
ments. He was honorably discharged at Daven- 
port, Iowa, in 1864, and returned to his home. 

Throughout life Mr. Sweet's attention has been 
given to farming, in pursuing' which calling he 
has shown excellent judgment and has been suc- 
cessful. He is now the owner of the old farm on 
which his father located many j'ears ago, and 
has other land, making in all an estate of four 
iiuiidred and eighty acres, which is magnifi- 
cently improved and cultivated and was form- 
erly the property of his father, James Magruder 
and William Kelso. David Sweet was an old- 
line Wing, but his sons have ever been stanch 
Republicans, the principles of which party the)" 
are active in supporting at all times. In 1887 
Mr. Sweet was married to the daughter of William 
E. Hawthorne, who was an old settler of Washing- 
ton County, Iowa, in which section he located 
when a young man. He is a member of Post No. 
8, G. A. R., of Iowa City. William T. Sweet, the 
eldest son of David Sweet, was born in Champaign 
County, Oliio, in 1832, and coming as he did to 
Johnson County, Iowa, while the county was in its 
infancy, he had but poor advantages to gain an 
education. Game was abundant and he, of course, 
used to be quite familiar with his old flint-rock 
rifle. He went to California in 1852, driving five 
yoke of cattle across the plains for his board. 
This trip occupied six months, and after reaching 
his destination he remained in tiie State of Cali- 

22 



fornia until 1869, the moat of which time he spent 
in the mines. He then returned to, Johnson 
County, Iowa, and in 1875 was married to Mary E., 
daugiiter of John C. Hillhouse, who came to this 
section from Illinois. Tiieir union has resulted in 
the birth of six children: David, AVilliam C, 
Louisa A., Joshua F., Florilla M. and Caleb B. 

In 1871 Mr. Sweet purchased the old Thomas 
Woods farm of one hundred and sixty acres, and 
has since added to it until he now has two hun- 
di-ed and fort)' acres of valuable and highly pro- 
ductive land. His wife is a member of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church, and socially he be- 
longs to the Ancient Free & Accepted Masons 
of Iowa City, having joined that order in Cali- 
fornia. He is a member of the Ancient Order of 
United Workmen and of the Farmers' Mutual Be- 
nefit Association. He has given his attention to 
general farming, and in addition to the grain pro- 
ducts raises a considerable amount of stock. David 
Sweet, the father, was a worthy member of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church and in his little log 
cabin was preached the first sermon in Fremont 
Tf)wnship by Peter H. Patterson, wlio afterward 
died on tbe Sacramento River, in California. 



f BRAHAM ALBRIGHT, an energetic and 
WiUll representative agriculturist of Johnson 
County, Iowa, owns a valuable homestead 
upon section 19, Penn Townshi|), and has 
been a constant resident of the State for more than 
two-score years. He is a native of York County, 
Pa., his birth occurring July 21, 1838. An intel- 
ligent citizen of ability and upright character, our 
subject has held oHicial positions of trust and dis- 
charged the duties thus evolved with efficient fi- 
delity, winning the esteem and confidence of the 
general public. In 1849, the parents of Abraham 
Albright emigrated from their native home in 
York County, Pa., to Johnson Count)', Iowa, and 
located in Penn Township, where tlie mother, 
Anna (Meyers) Albright, passed away in August, 



482 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RFX'ORD. 



1888, the father, Mathias Albright, who survived 
his wife four years, (lying in the same month in 
1JJ92. 

Abraham Albright received the advantages of a 
common-school education in tiie home neighbor- 
liood and remained dutifully upon his fatlier's 
farm until his marriage, when he settled with his 
wife in Muscatine County, remaining in this por- 
tion of tlie State for two years. lie then returned 
to Johnson County and made his home upon a farm 
in tlie familiar township of Penn in the year 1864. 
Mr. Albright was united in marriage Marcli 19, 
1862, with Miss Elizabeth Kronmiller, a native of 
Oliio, who was born in Montgomery County, Sep- 
tember 2, 1844. Mrs. Albright was but one year 
of age when her parents removed to "Woodford 
County, 111., where she attended the district schools 
and received instruction until she was twelve years 
old, wiien her parents again made a change of lo- 
cation, this time settling in Otter Creek, Linn 
County, Iowa, where they resided at the time of 
their daughter's marriage to Mr. Albright. The 
pleasant home of our subject and his estimable 
wife has been blessed by the birth of a large 
family of manly sous and intelligent and accom- 
plished daughters, who have some of them gone 
out into homes of their own. Ten brothers and 
sisters are now living: Jacob M., Anna M., John 
W., Aaron S., Uriah, Alice J., Margaret E., Eva M., 
Levi A. and Milton R. 

Edward S., a bright, ambitious and enterprising 
lad of nineteen years, just entering upon early 
manhood, and to whom life seemed full of hope 
and promise, was stricken with death, and passed 
away in August, 1890, deeply mourned not only 
by his family, but by a large circle of young 
friends and early associates. Mr. Albright's life 
has been mainly devoted to agricultural pursuits, 
and as a tiller of the soil and a successfid stock- 
raiser he has gained a comfortable competence. 
The farm of two hundred and sixteen acres is 
highly cultivated and annually yields an abun- 
dant harvest. The improvements are of a most 
substantial character, the residence being attract- 
ive and commodious and the barns and out- 
buildings all in perfect accord with the thrifty 
and carefully kept grounds of the homestead. 



Mr. and Mrs. Albright have been members of the 
Evangelical Association from their youth, and with 
their family are among the important factors in 
the success of many of the local, social and benev- 
olent enterprises of the township. 

Mrs. Albright is a lady of more than ordinary 
ability and with the merry young people of her 
own family welcomes to the hospitable home a 
host of friends. Jacob M., the eldest son, married 
Miss Grace Hardy, a lady universally admired and 
esteemed. Anna M., the Hrst daughter, has also 
entered into matrimonial relations, her husband 
being Charles R. Hardy, well known in Penn 
Township, where the Hardy family are numbered 
among the highly resi)ected citizens of Johnson 
County. 

Our subject takes an active interest in local and 
national affairs and has held the ollice of Town- 
ship Trustee. A friend to educational advance- 
ment and an advocate for the promolitm of the 
interests of the youth of our country, Mr. Al- 
bright has, as a member of the School Board, done 
much to elevate the standard of scholarship and 
instruction and to furnish in the home schools of 
Penn Township the best possible facilities for a 
thorough English education. 






lh.A RS. ANGINETTE SHERMAN, the subject 
of our sketch, is a very estimable lady, 
the widow of Luke Newton Sherman, a 
highly respected and generous citizen of 
Grinnell, Iowa, whose memory is cherished by 
numbers of the people. Mr. Sherman's interests 
were faithfully guarded in life, but always with a 
just reference to the rights of others. He was 
one of the heaviest stockholders in the Grange 
store, and during the excitement of the fire in 
1889 he was actively engaged in endeavor to save 
property, and the exposure resulted in a compli- 
cation of disorders, which resulted fatall}' in July 
of that year. He was fortunate in temperament, 



PORTEAIT AND BIOGRAPmCAL EECORD. 



483 



being courageous, hopeful and liberal, this spirit 
of liberality being especially manifested toward 
Iowa College, Grinnell. 

Mr. Sherman was born at Croydon, Sullivan 
County, N. II., October 20, 1828. Mis father, Will- 
iam Sherman, born in tiie same place in 1801, 
carried on farming until 1849, when became to Illi- 
nois and located in Carthage, Hancock County. Af- 
ter six years' residence there he located in Clinton 
County, Iowa, remaining for some years, and then 
settling in Grinnell and Chester Townships, Powe- 
shiek County. The last-named township was his 
tinal place of residence, he dying there at the age 
of eighty-four. The mother of Mr. .Sherman, Ma- 
hala Durgee, was born in New Hampshire and died 
in Chester, but lived to celebrate her golden wed- 
ding. The husband of our subject is descended 
on his father's side from English ancestry, and 
was the second of five children. His boyhood and 
youtli were spent in Croydon, and be received his 
education in the Meriden Academy. In the year 
1853, he and his older brother went to California 
by the way of New York and Panama, and went 
up to the mines of the Tuolumne River, where 
they met with good success and returned home 
late in the fail of 1855. In January, 1856, he 
was married to Anginette Williams, at Croydon, 
N. II., she being a native of Cornish, Sullivan 
County, a daughter of Stephen Williams, and 
a granddaughter of Stephen Williams, both na- 
tives of Cornish, the latter a farmer, who also 
filled the oflSce of High Sheriff for many years, 
finally dying upon his farm in Sullivan Count}'. 
Her father was also a farmer in the same county, 
and likewise a manufacturer. In 1882 he came 
West to reside with bis son Albert, and is living 
at the age of eighty years. 

The mother of our subject was Malinda (Hall) 
Williams, a native of Cioj'don, and a daugiiter of 
Darius Hall, an early settler, who ran a line of 
teams from Boston to Croydon for forty years. 
Mrs. Williams died here in the Universalist faith, 
leaving three children, our subject the eldest, all 
living. Mrs. Sherman was educated atClaremont 
Acadeni}', after which she engaged in teaching in 
the neighborhood for two j'ears and then was mar- 
ried. She came West with her husband by rail to 



Clinton County, and then proceeded with a team 
to Chester, they becoming the flrst settlers. At 
this time they had nothing but the claim shanty 
which William Sherman had erected, with only a 
narrow path to the property. They occupied this 
apology for a home until they had erected a more 
pretentious and comfortable building, hauling 
lumber for this purpose from Iowa City. The 
spring was three-quarters of a mile away from the 
house, and, in short, they experienced all the dis- 
comforts of pioneer life. In rainy weather they 
were compelled to raise umbrellas and suspend 
them over their beds in order to sleep with anv 
degree of comfort. Mr. Sherman had three attacks 
of fever and then decided to locate on land in Grin- 
nell Township, whitlier they went. They put up a 
small house with siding only on it, and water would 
stay frozen on the floor two feet away from the 
stove with as hot a fire as could be kept. The first 
entry of land was eighty acres, but he added to it 
until he finally had eight hundred acres, all im- 
proved and nice buildings upon it. Mr. Sherman 
very successfull}- pursued the business of feeding 
and trading in cattle, hogs and sheep, having as 
many as eleven hundred of the latter. 

Mr. Sherman's farm is located along the line of 
Grinnell Township, being a fine piece of land. Ill 
health compelled Mr. Sherman to retire from ac- 
tive work, when he built the fine residence on 
Fourth Street, within the corporate limits. His 
enfeebled condition was the result of a sunstroke, 
to which he gradually yielded, dying in July, 
1889. The deceased was a Director in the Mer- 
chants' Bank of Grinnell, and an active Prohibi- 
tionist at the time of his death, having previous- 
ly been a Republican. His religious convictions 
led him into the Congregational Church, of which 
his wife is also a consistent member. Since the 
death of her husband Mrs. Sherman has lived re- 
tired, being possessed of ample means, having 
three hundred and twent}- acres in Chester Town- 
ship, forming a very excellent farm. She has a block 
of stock in the Merchants' National Bank and owns 
her residence and other property. Mrs. Sherman 
had two children, both of whom died, and she 
ado])ted two others, namely: Mary Sherman, a 
graduate of the High Scliool and educated in Iowa 



484 



POxiTR.UT AND BIOGKAPHICAL RECORD. 



College, living at home, and Charles. Mrs. Sher- 
man during the lifetime of her husband was quite 
a traveler, and in one of their journeys Mr. Sher- 
man bought a large tract of land in Douglas 
County, S. Dak., one hundred and sixty acres of 
which, well improved and under cultivation, she 
still retains. Mrs. Sherman has resided continu- 
ously in Poweshiek since 1856. 



'jiJSAIvVH HIXSON, an honored citizen, repre- 
sentative general agriculturist and successful 
stock-raiser of Cono Township, Iowa County, 
Iowa, is an extensive landholder and possesses 
large property interests not only in the State of 
Iowa, but also in the fruit lands of southern Cali- 
fornia. As a tiller of the soil, our subject won 
prosperity, and as a stock-raiser has handled some 
of the finest and most valuable specimens of heavy- 
draft horses in the country. Horn in Bedford 
County, Pa., November lit, 1827, Mr. Ilixson has 
since the spring of 18G6 been prominently identi- 
fied with the leading and iini)ortant enterprises of 
Cono Township, and is widely known as a pro- 
gressive, liberal and public-spirited citizen. The 
paternal grandfather, a native Englishman, came 
to the United Slates prior to the war of the Revo- 
lution and ably assisted in the struggles of the 
colonists. Amos Hixson, the father, was born in 
Pennsylvania, and was a successful farmer and also 
carried on the trade of a tanner. In 1833, with 
his family, he made his home in Athens Count}', 
Ohio, and having there purchased land, devoted 
himself to the pursuit of agriculture. 

Father Ilixson was a man of intelligence and 
abilit}', and survived to enjoy man}' prosperous 
years in the Bueke^'e State. lie was a worth}- 
member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and a 
consistent Christian man, .and wlien he passed away 
in 1864, aged sixty-flve years, his death was deeply 
lamented as a public loss. The mother, Mary 
(O'Neal) Ilixson, is now dead, but survived her 



husband for sotiie years. She was also a member 
of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and became 
the mother of five children, of whom Isai.ah was 
the third in order of birth. Our subject was 
reared upon his father's farm, and attended the 
little log schoolhouse of the neighborhood, which 
was plainly furnished with slab seats and desks. 
Trained early in youth into the habits of self-re- 
liance, Mr. Ilixson hopefully began life for himself 
at the age of twenty-two and engaged in farming 
in Athens County. In 1865, he purchased land in 
Cono Townshi[), lovva, and in the spring of 1866 
located permanently in Iowa County. This part 
of the State was then but si)arsely settled, and every 
new-comer was warmly welcomed. 

In 1849, our subject was united in marriage with 
Miss Mary Ann Carter, of Athens County. This 
estimable lady died of consumption after becoming 
the mother of seven children. Mary died in in- 
fancy. Alice passed away in early childhood. 
Reuben W., a young man of unusual promise, 
graduated from Davenport Commercial College, 
afterward married and located in Chicago, and was 
a clerk for the i)romiiient firm of Baldwin tk Stone, 
commission merchants, dealing in grain and pro- 
visions. Later he became a member of the Board 
of Trade, and soon after died of consumption. 
John died of consumption December 11, 1880. 
He had graduated from the Blairstown Academy, 
and was in the Iowa City Academy fitting himself 
to engage in business with his brother when he 
passed away. Warren V. is at home and assists in 
the management of the farm and stock interests. 
He is an able agriculturist and a good judge of 
horses and handles only blooded stock. Elmer E. 
survived to early manhood and then died with 
the dread disease, consumption. Emma F. is the 
wife of John Tippie, an enterprising farmer of 
Benton County. Mr. and Mrs. Tippie have one 
child. A sister of Mrs. Mary (Carter) Ilixson died 
of consumption, and left a son and two daughters, 
whom Mr. Ilixson took into his home to rear as 
his own. Within ten years they both died of con- 
sumption. 

In 1869, our subject contracted a second mar- 
ri.age, being wedded to Mrs. Rebecca Hallopeter, 
daughter of Robert Furnas, an Iowa County 




Qj/yty ^:;^7^^ 




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



487 



pioneer. Mrs. Rebecca Hlxson survived her mar- 
riage but two years, passing away In 1871. Five 
years later, in 1876, our subject married Miss 
Eliz*li. Bryson, a Iad3' of intelligence and culture. 
Sbe is a native of Athens County, Ohio, but her 
parents were originall}' from Pennsylvania. Mr. 
Ilixson is the owner of over one thousand acres of 
choice land in Iowa County, lying mostly in the 
Iowa River Valley, and as arable and fertile land 
as ever the sun shone upon. He has also valuable 
property interests in Dixon County, Neb., and 
owns twenty acres of fine fruit in southern 
California. Fourteen acres are covered with beai'- 
ing orange trees, and the entire property is well 
watered, and in a section of the country which is a 
veritable paradise. Our subject spends considerable 
time in southern California, and has already made 
five trips to the (iolden State. During an earlier 
period of his life Mr. Hixson was one of the largest 
dealers in live stock in Iowa County. He has 
been especially noted for his excellent judgment 
as regards finely- bred horses and has always the 
best in his capacious stables. Never an office-seeker, 
our subject is interested in national and local is- 
sues, and is a thoroughly patriotic citizen and a 
stalwart Republican. Financially prospered, he 
has been heavily bereaved, and in his hours of 
mourning has received the earnest sympathy of a 
host of sincere friends. 



A.MUEL S. LYTLE, M. D. It is always 
with peculiar pleasure that the true Amer- 
ican patriot, or indeed an3'one interested 
in the welfare of this glorious land of lib- 
erty, peruses the history of her valiant defenders, 
whether in the War of the Revolution or in the 
no less fierce and terrible contlict of the Rebellion. 
Among the honored soldiers of the Civil War, one 
who enlisted in the early part of the struggle 
and continued in active service to its close was 
the subject of this sketch. In times of peace or 



war alike he has ever been numbered among the 
most trusty citizens in whatever community he 
has made his home. For the past twenty years 
his place of residence has been in Iowa City, 
where he now ranks among the prominent phy- 
sicians and leading men of his profession. 

Dr. Lytle was born in Indiana County, Pa., on 
a farm on the M of February, 1842, being a son 
of Alexander and Mary (Smith) Lytle. The fa- 
ther was a native of the Keystone State and a 
son of Robert Lytle, of Scotch descent. The mo- 
ther was also a native of Penns3lvania, her maiden 
name being Smith. She was likewise of Scotch an- 
cestry, the paternal grandfather having left his 
native land and settled in the United States early 
in the eighteenth century'.. The father of our 
subject was a tanner by occupation, but in 1857 
he removed with his family to Iowa, after which 
he followed farming as a calling. He first located 
in Jefferson County for about two years, whence 
he removed to Washington County, there making 
his home until called to his final rest in 1888, at 
which time he was seven tj'-three years of age, his 
birth having occurred in 1815, while that of his 
wife occurred three years later. 

Alexander and Mary L^'tlc had a family of 
eight children, six sons and two daughters, six 
of whom are yet living. Our subject is the old- 
est member of the family, and was reared upon 
his father's farm, receiving his education in the 
district school. He landed in Iowa when fifteen 
years of age, and since that time h.as almost unin- 
terruptedly made his home in this State. He re- 
mained on his father's farm until reaching the 
age of eighteen years, and then entered Washing- 
ton College, which was burned in ISfio, and has 
never been rebuilt. 

In 1861 Dr. Lytle enlisted in the Eleventh 
Iowa Infantr}' as a member of Company F, Col. 
A. M. Hare commanding officer. The company 
was sent to the front immediately, and for their 
first battle took part in the important one of 
Shiloh, where his company lost twenty-three men. 
Their second battle was that of luka, where our 
subject was present, but did not participate, and 
the next was the battle of Corinth, October 3 and 4, 
1862. Dr. Lj'tle was wounded quite severely at the 



488 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



battle of Shiloh, April 6, 1862, and was in the hos- 
pital for two weeks, then being sent to St. Louis, 
where an oi^eration was found necessary to be per- 
formed. July 13, 1862, he returned to his com- 
pany' and served for three years and ten months 
in active duty. In the winter of 1862-63 he was 
sent on a campaign through Mississippi, under Gen. 
Grant, and then to Memphis, where he was ordered 
to Vickshurg, iiis regiment being on the left of the 
main and skirmish line May 22, when the cele- 
brated charge was made, after which they formed 
a part of the command of Gen. Blair in a recon- 
noissance in force to Mechanicsville, wliere a slight 
engagement took place with the enem3'. They 
then returned to the rear of the main line in 
front of Vicksburg, and bore a part in the siege 
and capture of that city. When the place surren- 
dered, his regiment was with that part of the army 
under Gen. Sherman which had been sent back to 
the ]}ig Black River to observe the movements of 
tlie enemy under Gen. Joe E. Johnston, who was 
threatening the rear. In the winter of 1863- 
64 the aompany veteranized, the date of en- 
listment having expired, and our subject re-en- 
listed as a veteran in the same regiment. In 
February, 1864, he participated in the Meridian 
campaign under Sherman, and w.as with him in 
tiie Atlanta campaign on his celebrated march to 
the sea, thence proceeded through the Carolinas, 
and was present at the surrender of Johnston near 
Raleigh, later proceeding to Washington, where he 
took part in the Grand Review, which was un- 
doubtedly one of the most wonderful military 
pageants which the world has ever seen. The re- 
view took place May 24, 186.5, and Mr. Lytle re- 
ceived his honorable discharge July 22 at Daven- 
port, Iowa, after which he went to Wasiiington, of 
tiie same State, and made his liome there until com- 
ing to Iowa City. His record as a soldier is one of 
which he may well be proud. 

Or. Lytic commenced studying medicine with 
Dr. J. C. Shrader in the summer of 1875, and 
was gi-aduated from the medical department of 
the State University in the spring of 1878, and at 
once engaged in practice hei'e with Dr. Shrader. 
In 1880 he entered into partnership with his 
former preceptor, and remained with him for six 



years, conducting a general practice. Since that 
time he has been alone and has built up a large 
and paying practice. On the 28th of January, 1874, 
the Doctor was united in marriage with Miss Zet- 
tie Phillips, of Wellman, Iowa, daughter of George 
Phillips. She was called to the home beyond in 
October, 1878. April 22, 1885, Dr. Lytle and Mrs. 
Alice Stocking, of Iowa City, were united in mar- 
riage. 

In regard to the question of politics, Dr. Lytle 
is a thorough -going Republican, and is a member 
of Iowa City Post No. 8, G. A. R., being now Past 
Post Commander of the same. He is Past Mas- 
ter of Iowa City Lodge No. 4, A. F. & A. M., and 
has attained to the degree of Knight Templar. 
As a physician he keeps well posted and abreast 
of all discoveries in regard to the prevention and 
cure of disease and the preservation of health. 
He is an extensive reader and an intelligent man 
in ever^' way, one who has the entire confidence 
and esteem of all who have had the good fortune 
to make his acquaintance. 



t^p'KNUS GROUT. Among the sous of Ohio 
y^ who brought with them to this Western land 
(Mi=^, the sturdy habits of independence, integrity 
and industiy which have ever marked the native 
Ohioan, Mr. Grout maj' be mentioned, for he is 
one of the prominent and substantial agriculturists 
of Sharon Township, and has been quite conspic- 
uous for his modest and retiring nature, as well as 
for his intelligence and ability as a business man. 
He was born in Licking County, in the Buckeye 
State, July 28, 1819, but his father, Enos Grout, 
was a native of the Green Mountain State, and in 
1815, prior to his marriage, took up his residence 
in Licking Count}', Ohio, settling in the woods. 
In 1818 he was married to Elizabeth Chadrick, 
a native of Vermont, and to their union two 
children were born, Zenus, and Lucius, de- 
ceased. The father died in 1826, while endeavor- 
ing to clear a farm .and provide a competence for 



PORTRAIT AND lUOORAPIITCAL RECORD. 



489 



his family, and liis widow afterwards married 
Lemuel Rose, by whom she became the mother of 
six children: Henry, Wnrrcn, Luther, Edwin, Al- 
mira and Emma. She died December 28, 1878, 
at the age of eighty years, seven montlis and three 
days. She and Mr. Grout were Prebyterians in 
religious faith. 

Zenus Grout obtained a fair knowledge of the 
common English branches in the old-tirae log 
schoolhouse, which was furnished in the usual 
primitive style, but at the age of fourteen years 
was compelled to begin the battle of life for him- 
self, owing to tlie earl3' death of his father. For 
some time thereafter, he worked out as a farm 
hand b^' the day and month, and although his 
compensation was at first very small, it served to 
keep the wolf from the door. Becoming tired of a 
state of single blessedness, he was married August 
27, 1840, to Miss Margaret A. Kepler, who was 
born in Huntingdon Countj', Pa.. March 9, 1817, 
becoming a resident of Licking County, Ohio, in 
1828. Her parents were Jacob and Sarah (Snare) 
Kepler, natives of Pennsylvania, who cleared a 
farm in Ohio, and, when quite aged, came to John- 
son County, lovva, the father dying here at the age 
of seventy-six, and the mother when eighty-four 
years of age. They were members of the United 
Rrethren Church, and Mr. Kepler was first a Whig 
and later a Republican in politics. 

To Mr. and Mrs. Grout a family of seven chil- 
dren has been born: Melis.sa, who married Joshua 
Strickler, a farmer of Sharon Township; Loren E., 
who also lives here; Samantha, deceased, the 
wife of James Britton; Celestia ?]., who married 
James L. Beck, and lives at Pueblo, Colo; Lucy J., 
who married Hartwell P. Chandler, and lives in 
Eldora, Iowa; Elmira E., who married Charles W. 
Roberson, and resides in Pueblo, Colo; and Jacob, 
deceased. In the fall of 1843, Mr. fJrout came to 
Iowa by wagon, the journey occupying twenty- 
seven days, and during tlie eleven days that it 
took to cross Indiana, it rained ten days, and the 
journey was anything but a pleasure. Mr. Grout 
entered forty acres of Government land, built 
thereon a log house, cleared his farm from brush, 
and after a short time entered more land. He 
now has an exceptionally' fine farm of two hun- 



dred and ten acres, which he has improved through 
his own efforts, and which he has gained almost 
wholly since coming to this section, for upon his 
arrival here his possessions consisted of $20, his 
team, a wagon a few household effects, and a wife 
and bab}'. 

The first three months that they lived hero, Mrs. 
Grout never saw a white woman aside from her 
mother and sisters; Indians, however, were numer- 
ous, and the various wild animals of the region 
were frequently seen. Their nearest market was 
Muscatine, the journey occupying at least three 
days, and then only thirty seven and a-half cents 
a bushel could be obtained for wheat. A gallon of 
molasses was the only sweetening of any kind that 
the family had for a year. On the 27th of August, 
1890. this worthy old eonple had journej^ed down 
the vale of life together for fifty years, and the 
event was celebrated by them and one hundred 
and three of their friends, all but ten being rela- 
tives of Mrs. Grout. Mr. and Mrs. Grout have long 
been members of the Methodist Church, and the 
Republican party has always received Mr. Grout's 
support. He has been a Trustee of his township 
several terms, but aside from exercising his right 
of franchise, he has not been particularl3' inter- 
ested in politics. He and his wife have always 
been noted for their open-heartedness, genialit3- 
and hospitality', and he is recognized b^' all as a 
man whose standard of honor is very high. The 
social circles of Sharon Township recognize this 
fine old couple as an element of great value, 
they being infiuential helpers in the promotion of 
intelligeiK'o and true sociability. 



^^+-^1 



\||'OSEPH THOMAS KESSLER, a hustling, in- 
dustrious 3'oung man, is one of the enter- 
prising and progressive j'oung farmers of 
' Big Grove Township. He is well-to-do, 
has a valuable farm and attractive home, all of 
which marks of success are directly traceable to his 
liabits of industry and admirable business methods. 



490 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



as he commenced with nothing and has graduallj' 
worked his way to the top. His fertile and well- 
cultivated farm, comprising one hundred and thir- 
ty-five acres, is located on section 3C. On his 
property he has a pleasant residence, a very fine 
barn and other good farm buildings. 

The parents of our subject, Felix and Christina 
Kessler, were born in the Fatherland, emigrating 
to America in the early '40s. Mr. Kessler followed 
the trade of a cooper in early life, but after his ar- 
rival in America devoted himself almost exclu- 
sively to farming. His first place of location was 
in Muskingum County, Ohio, where the family 
remained for several years. In 1851 they con- 
chided to remove further West, and coming to 
Iowa, finally located in Johnson County. Tiie 
father purchased a tract of land in Big Grove 
Township. The country was still quite new and 
few settlements had been made up to that time. 
Herds of deer were often seen, and the howling of 
the wolves often made the night hideous. Mr. 
Kessler is a member of the Catholic Church, with 
which he has been connected since boyhood, and 
has now reached the advanced age of seventy-six 
years. His wife departed this life in 1879. 

Our subject is the fourtli in order of birth of a 
family of seven children, six of whom were sons. 
He was born in Muskingum County, Ohio, Octo- 
ber IG, 1848, and was therefore only three years 
of age when he first set foot in Iowa. His educa- 
tion was limited, being that of the common dis- 
trict schools, which were often held a number of 
miles from his home. These schoolhouscs were of 
the most primitive kind, made of logs, the seats 
and desks being of roughly hewn slabs. As soon 
as he was old enough his father put him to work 
on tlie farm, and thus he was early instructed and 
trained in the calling which he yet pursues. Upon 
reaching mature years he engaged in carrying on a 
farm for himself, beginning on a small scale. By 
rigid economy and industry he had accumulated 
surticient money to enable him to purchase a small 
farm in 1882. This property, which is the one 
he now carries on, is located on section 36. It is 
under excellent cultivation, and its value has been 
greatly increased by our subject since he first be- 
came its owner. 



In tills county, February 7, 1878, Mr. Kessler 
married Miss Melissa .Johnson, who was a native 
of Johnson County, born January 18, 1857, and 
whose parents, Theodore and Mary Johnson, emi- 
grated to Iowa in the earlj^ pioneer days. Mrs. 
Kessler is one of four daughters, and is a lady of 
acknowledged worth and amiable qualities. By 
her marriage liave been born three children: Clar- 
ence Theodore (deceased), Nellie Belle and Etiiel 
Irene. Mr. Kessler is a leading young Democrat 
and takes a great interest in the success of his 
party. Since his early youth he has been thor- 
oughly identified with the progress and advance- 
ment of this portion of the State, and is truly 
worthy a place among the records of its respected 
citizens and earlj' settlers. 



\ ^^^^'^'^''^ DALTON, our subject, is a prominent 
])] farmer of West Lucas, Johnson County, 
f^ Iowa, who came to this country at an early 
\ day and who was a most energetic and in- 
dustrious worker in tlie period of his strength. 
The infirmities of age now weigh heavily upon him, 
but he is signally blessed with a wife, who with 
great good sense and judgment relieves him of the 
cares of business. Happy, indeed, is the lot of a 
man who has such a faithful, tender, and noble life 
partner as Hannah (Hudson) Dalton. Mr. Dalton 
was born in Derbyshire, England, March 10, 1819, 
being reared in his native place. He came to Amer- 
ica when thirty years old, in 1849, and located in 
New York City, where he worked at the trade of 
making cari)enters' tools for some time, removing 
the next year to New Providence, N. J., at which 
place he pursued the vocation of a farmer for 
eighteen years. 

Our subject emigrated to Iowa in 1868, settling 
in Johnson County, and locating on section 20, 
where he now resides, following the same business 
of general farming. Mr. Dalton was married in 
Sheffield, Yorkshire, England, February 14, 1844, 
to Hannah M. Hudson, daughter of Benjamin and 




residence: or peter daltom , sec. 20. w. lucas tp. johnsou go. ia 



„»f*<,^sd^0' 




RLSlDEfJCE OF ROBERT SMYTH, SEC. ti Bl G GROV E TP JOH NSON CO. iA. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



493 



Hannah (Ludlam) Hudson. Mrs. Dalton was born 
in Sheffield, Yorkshire, England, April 2, 1822, 
and is the mother of two sons and a daughter. 
William J. T., born in England, December 27, 
1848, now living in West Lucas Township, John- 
son County, Iowa, married Mary Briggs, of Iowa 
City; Byron, born in Essex Count}', N. J., Janu- 
ary 31, 1860, came when eight years old to John- 
son County with his parents, married Nellie Cro- 
nin June 3, 1891, a native of Iowa City, and is liv- 
ing on our subject's farm and managing it; and 
Mary is the wife of John J. Lorack, of Iowa City. 
The farm of Mr. Dalton consists of two hundred 
and forty .acres, all under cultivation and well 
improved. The residence is a cozj' and neat 
home, the interior affording evidence on every 
hand of the neatness and skill of the excellent 
housekeeper, Mrs. Dalton. The barn and out- 
houses are ample for their requirements and every 
thing may be said to be in apple-pie order. Mr. 
Dalton has always been highly respected for his 
kind, neighborly nature and his upright character; 
while Mrs. Dalton is one of those good motherly 
women that everybody loves. 



->-=^=m>-^^<m^ 



I OBERT SMYTH is a prominent example of 
the hardy pioneer who h.as overcome ap- 
p.arently insurmountable obstacles with 
rare fortitude and undaunted energy. 
Starting without a cent, he has acquired a good 
home and sufficient fortune to carry him through 
llie voyage of life. His fine farm is situated on sec- 
tion 6, in Big Grove Township, Johnson County. 
He is a native of the Emerald Isle, born in County 
Down in 1823. On the paternal side he is of 
Scotch descent, his grandfather having emigrated 
to Ireland from Scotland. His parents were Jere- 
miah and Agnes (Cairns) Smyth, the father a 
farmer bj' occupation. Both parents lived to be 
over seventy years of age, dying in the faith of 
the Methodist Church. Our subject is the third in 
order of a family of eight children, three of whom 



are living. Jeremiah and Thomas are both farm- 
ers in Greene County, Iowa. These brothers of 
our subject were the only members of the family 
beside him who ever left their native land, the 
others dying while still young in Ireland. 

Our subject received a fair school education in 
his native country, and was reared on a farm. In 
1850 he concluded to seek his fortunes in Amer- 
ica, and in August of that year sailed from Liver- 
pool, landing at New York after several weeks 
spent on the ocean. Going to Ohio, where an 
uncle was living, he remained in that State for a 
couple of years. In 1852 Mr. Smyth came to 
losva, living for two years in Lee County. About 
this time he purchased his present farm on section 
6, Big Grove Township, Johnson County, which 
was entirely uncultivated. The county was but 
little populated, deer and wolves were abundant, 
and Indians camped in the thickly timbered spots, 
carrying on their usual occupations of hunting 
and fishing along the streams. Mr. Smyth bought 
five yoke of cattle and a thirty-inch plow for 
breaking the prairie. In addition to improving 
his own land, for nine years he followed the busi- 
ness of breaking prairie for the settlers, during the 
winters making rails and hauling them for build- 
ing fences. In those days he was quite fond of 
hunting, and has many a reminiscence of his 
prowess. 

In 1860 Mr. Smyth married Miss Elizabeth Ro- 
backer, a native of Germany, who emigrated to 
America with her parents, when young. To them 
have been born the following children: Mary, wife 
of Henry Johnson, a farmer of Johnson County; 
Agnes, William, Sarah, Roltert, James, George, 
Elizabeth, Clara, Hattie; and Jane and Harve}-, 
deceased. Both parents formerly were members of 
the Presbyterian Church, but are now not connec- 
ted with any church organization. 

Mr. Smyth's farm consists of two hundred and 
seventy-five acres, on which he has made all the 
improvements. He has been very industrious, and 
was never one who w.is afraid of hard and honest 
labor. In order to obtain sullicient money to make 
a start, he worked by tlie month, and paid for his 
first purch.ase $2.75 per acre. In 1890 lie erected 
a large residence, which is one of the best in the 



494 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



township. Two years later he built a substantial 
barn, and has otherwise improved his place. He 
has always kept a good grade of stock, and has 
been remarkably successful in his various business 
undertakings. He is considered one of the repre- 
sentative men of the community, and well merits 
the iiigh respect in which he is held by all. 



¥ILLIAM DOUGLASS, a prominent agricul- 
turist and highly respected citizen, owns 
a finely-improved farm of two hundred 
acres located upon sections Hand 12, Scott Town- 
ship, Johnson County, Iowa, and first came to his 
present locality when Johnson County was almost 
an unbroken prairie, sparsely settled and con- 
taining few improvements of any pecuniary value, 
except in the young villages and pretentious towns, 
which were, indeed, far between. Our subject was 
a native of Butler County, Pa., and was born May 
28, 1832. He was reared in his birthplace, and 
was early trained in agricultural duties upon his 
father's farm, at the same time receiving the ad- 
vantage of instruction in the district school of 
the home neighborhood. When he was nineteen 
years old he was apprenticed to a builder, and 
learned the carpenter's trade in Pittsburgh, Pa., 
remaining in this latter city for two years; then 
journeying to Johnson County, Iowa, he received 
employment in Iowa City for a brief time. 

Mr. Douglass next made his home in Magnolia, 
Putnam County, 111., and worked at his trade for 
a few months, then returning to Johnson County. 
In the spring of 1856, he again went to Putnam 
County, 111., and sojourned there until December, 
1857, when he once more sought employment in 
Johnson County, where he profitably engaged in 
business for nearly two 3ears. In the fall of 1859, 
our sul)ject took his departure for Magnolia, 111., 
and located there for five years, at the expiration 
of which time he accepted employment at his trade 
in Iowa City, where he was constantly busy for 
the succeeding six years. During the winter of 



1869, he went to Atlantic City, Iowa, and found 
ready employment as a carpenter for one year. 
His next abiding-place was in Varna, Marshall 
County, 111., where he remained for tlie following 
twelve years. From 1874 until 1882 Mr. Doug- 
lass was the able and popular proprietor of the 
American House in Varna, but in February, 1882, 
sold out, and finall}' returned to Johnson County, 
since the latter period his permanent home. 

For over a half-score of years our subject has 
l)rofitably engaged in farming in Scott Township, 
where his parents, having emigrated from Butler 
County, Pa., came so many years ago, and, in 
1854, located upon a homestead where the father, 
James Douglass, passed away in November, 1859. 
The mother, Mary (Brown) Douglass, lived to be 
almost ninety years of age, surviving her husband 
until September 14, 1891. Mrs. Douglass was a native 
of Butler County, Pa., and was highl,y esteemed 
bj' a large circle of friends. She was the mother 
of ten sons and daughters, of whom William was 
the fourth in order of birth. Our subject was 
united in marriage in Magnolia, 111., December 27, 
1857, with Miss Lucinda S. Dent, a native of Put- 
nam Count3', 111., and a daughter of James and 
Dorcas Dent, natives of Morgantown, Va. Mrs. 
Douglass was born in Putnam County in 1836, 
and was reared and educated in her birthplace. 
Mr. Douglass and his estimable wife are the par- 
ents of eight children. The brothers and sisters 
who have gathered in the pleasant home are: 
Mary E., wife of William E. Ferguson; William 
E.; Hattie M., wife of Harley Struble; James B., 
Belle, Strother D., Frank L. and Charles. These 
sons and daughters, having worthily attained to. 
manhood and womanhood, receive the respect and 
high regard of all who know them, and each and 
all occupy positions of usefulness and influence. 
Mrs. Douglass is a member of the Presbyterian 
Church, and .active in the religious work of that 
denomination, and, together with her family, is 
prominent in matters of social enterprise and 
benevolence. Our subject is not a politician, and 
his immediate interest in local and national issues 
is apparent mainly in the casting of his vote for 
the best man for the place. Cheerfully doing his 
allotted dail}' duty, and a provident man and ex- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPmCAL RECORD. 



495 



cellent manager, caring with fidelity for his famil3', 
he is liberal in his views, and, an upright and pro- 
gressive citizen, has without show or ostentation 
steadily won his upward way to assured prosperity 
and success. 



r^ 



=«^ 



DAM B0K8CHEL, an energetic farmer of 
Graham Township, Johnson County, is a 
thorough agriculturist, and successfully 
tills the fertile soil of Iowa, owning one 
hundred and twenty acres of land, all under a 
high state of cultivation, and well located on sec- 
tion 16. Since the close of the Civil AVar, in 
which our subject actively participated, he has 
been a constant resident of liis present home and 
an important factor in the upward growth and 
continued prosperity of this locality. Mr. Bor- 
schel is a native of Hesse, Germany, and, born De- 
cember 4, 1831, remained in his native country 
through boyhood, attending the common schools^ 
and as he neared manhood engaging in agricultural 
duties. When twenty years of age he determined 
to seek his fortune in America, and embarking for 
tlie United States, made a speedy passage across 
the ocean, landing in New York in October, 1851. 



1861, in Company H, Second low.i Cavalry, and 
bravely served throughout the entire period of the 
struggle, courageously facing privations and the 
perils of capture and death four years and two 
months. 

Honorably mustered out of the service at Selma, 
Ala., in October, 1865, our subject returned to 
Iowa, and the following year, .June 7, 1866, w.as 
united in marriage with Miss Hannah Jacobs, a 
native of Newport Township, Johnson County, 
Iowa, and immediately settled upon the land 
which he had purchased when he first came to the 
State from Steuben County, N. Y., in the fall of 
1859. The homestead long since increased its 
.acreage, which has been brought up to a high state 
of cultivation, and Mr. Borschel has improved the 
farm with excellent buildings, comprising a com- 
fortable and roomy residence, good barns and out- 
liouses. Mrs. Borschel, a most estimable lady, born 
in Newport Township, April 24, 1848, is the daugh- 
ter of Nicholas Jacobs, who was born in Switzer- 
land, and Lovina C. (Wieneke) Jacobs. The fa- 
ther and mother were married in Johnson County, 
and were among the pioneer settlers of Newport 
Township, but now make their home in Graham 
Township. 

Mr. and Mrs. Borschel are the parents of twelve 
children, some of whom have already gone out 
into homes of their own. Emma L. is the wife of 
William Stiff; Carrie M. is the wife of William ' ^ ,, 
Parsons; Charlotte M., Martha R,, Anna B., Will;)bi»^ \^-o 



From the Empire State our subject proceeded 
upon his way to Philadelphia, where he remained ,;Jam H., Edward F., Elnora S., George W., Luciai^ •■"" ' "t) 
but a short time engaging in various occupations ,. P., Harvey D. and Ethel M. comprise the sons and 
about ten miles distant from the latter city lor onev,' daughters, the eldest of whom are well known and 
year. He then went to South Carolina, but the J social favorites with a large circle of friends. The 



Southern climate affecting his health unfavorably, v 
he returned six months later to the family where( 
he had formerly been employed near Philadelphia, 
and spent a few months longer in this location. 
He next found work as a farm laborer in Steuben 
County, N. Y., and from this place journeyed to 
Johnson County', Iowa, and invested his savings 
in forty acres in Graham Township, section 16. 
An energetic and industrious .young man, he read- 
ily found occupation for the coming season upon 
a farm at good wages. About this time the Civil 
War broke out. and Mr. Borschel enlisted in August, 



mother of Mr. Borschel died in Germany, and af- 
Kjter her death, the father, yearning to see the son, 
came to America early in the '60s, and at a good 
old age died in Graham Township. Our subject 
and Ills wife are esteemed members of the German 
Methodist Church, and are .active workers in that 
organization, aiding liberally in the extension of 
religious influence. Mr. Borschel has ever since 
his residence here taken a leading part in politics, 
and has ably occupied various important positions 
of trust in the township. As School Trustee and 
a Director of the School Board, he faithfully and 



496 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



persistently Labored in behalf of educational ad- 
vancement, and eflfected material progress and re- 
form in methods of instruction, largely benefiting 
the youth of the surrounding neigliborlioods. He 
is a valued member of Iowa City Post No. 8, G. A. 
R., and enjoys the social reunions of the veterans. 
Years have elapsed since, upon the field of war, he 
gave bis faithful service in behalf of the national 
existence of his adopted countrj', and to-day, as 
then, he is the same true, patriotic and public- 
spirited citizen. 



1^^^^ 



■^ll OHN II. DOWNS is one of the leading farm- 
ers and extensive stock-raisers of Liberty 
Township, Johnson County, his home being 
on section 22. For about twenty-five years 
he has been identified with the prosperity and de- 
velopment of this portion of the country, and is 
recognized as one of its most progressive citizens. 
His birth occurred in Warren County, Ohio, in the 
year 1836, he being one of a family of eight chil- 
dren whose parents were Charles and Ester (Dan- 
iels) Downs. Tiie latter were both natives of 
Loudoun County, Va., both having been born in 
tlie first decade of this century. They emigrated 
to Ohio at an early d.ay, becoming honored early 
settlers of Warren County. The record of their 
children is as follows: J. Elwood is deceased; Eli 
is a resident of Illinois; our subject is the next in 
order of birtli; Benjamin resides iu Warren County, 
Ohio; William is the fifth son; Mary became the 
wife of Leonard E.istham; Ruth Hannah makes 
lier home in Lebanon, Ohio; and Rachael died in 
her girlhood. 

When onl}- ten years of .age, John H. Downs 
was bereft of his loving mother's watchful care, as 
she was summoned by the angel of death. He then 
went to live with an aunt on the Miami River, 
wiio gave him a good home and good school ad- 
vantages. During the late war he became a mem- 
ber of the Oliic) Nation.al Guards, and served for 
three months. His brothers were in active service 



throughout the conflict. In 1865 Mr. Downs wed- 
ded Elizabeth Cook, and four years later emigra- 
ted to this county, where he has since turned his 
attention to agricultural pursuits. He has farmed 
on an extensive scale, and has ever shown a pro- 
gressive spirit in all his undertakings. 

His family comprises three children, Alice, wife 
of Rudolph Overholser, of Taylor County, Iowa; 
D. Elraa, now Mrs. Fred De Brie, of Riverside, 
Iowa; and Harry M., who resides at home. They 
have all been given the best of sciiool privileges, 
and are occujjying useful and enviable positions 
in society. The ancestors of Mr. Downs were de- 
voted members of the Society of Friends. Politi- 
cally, our subject is a stanch Republican, and is 
greatly interested in whatever tends to the welfare 
of his part}-. Personally, he is genial, warm- 
hearted and generous to a fault, by whicli, and 
many other exceptional qualities, he has won the 
friendship of all with whom he has come in con- 
tact. In his business relations, he has alwaj-s been 
tiioroughly upright and honorable in his dealings, 
thus compelling the respect of even his enemies. 



\W/ ritv of cl 



ILLIAM H. BUCHANAN, a citizen of 
ness attainments and high integ. 
rity of character, is a native of the .State, 
and, born in Cedar Township, Johnson County, 
Iowa, May 1, 1851, was reared among the pioneer 
scenes of those early days. The first school he 
ever attended was held in a small shanty, about 
12x16 feet, with stationary seats around the bare, 
unfinished walls. He was a resolute, energetic 
and enterprising man, and, although no longer 
young, finally determined to emigrate to America. 
Our subject's grandfather, Alexander Buchanan, 
came from Drummond, Sterlingshire, Scotland, 
about 1784, and bought a farm in the northeastern 
part of Barnet, Vt., where he lived alone for some 
time, and ff)llowed farming profitably- until a great 
calamity befell him in the shape of afire. His house 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



497 



and everything that he had, except the clothes that 
he wore, were destroyed, but he continued to live 
there, and about thirteen years later was married 
to Martha Moore, who was born in 1779, in Bow 
N. n. She went to Barnet, where she got ac- 
quainted with Mr. Buchanan, and was mar- 
ried to him. in 1798. To this union were born nine 
children, namely: Ephraim, who died yoiing; 
Peter, who married Miss Margaret Kenedy, and 
died in 1853, while she survived until April 8, 
1877, passing away in her seventy-ninth year; 
.lames, deceased; Nancy, deceased; Henry, deceased; 
Margaret, wife of William McCoIe; Alexander, un- 
married; William, who was born in 1818, and died 
April 27, 1849; John, deceased, who married Eliza- 
beth Clifford, who died in 1892. After the death 
of his first wife, Alexander Buchanan married Mrs. 
Chick, whose maiden name was Deborah Pierce. 
She died in 1854, .aged seventy years. 

James, the father of our subject, was born 
in Barnet, Caledonia County, Vt., April 2,1802, 
and eighty-five years later died in Solon, Iowa, 
November 18, 1887. James Buchanan was widely 
known throughout Johnson C'ounty, where, in the 
spring of 183.7, surrounded by wild Indi.ans, wild 
game and untamed Nature, the first white settler 
in Cedar Township, and among the very first in 
the county, he commenced his improvements, and, 
long in advance of the Government surveyors, 
staked out what was to be Lis future home. 

Camping in his wagon on Indian land near an 
unfailing spring. Father Buchanan was frequently 
visited by the Indians, who, in language more for- 
cible than polite, invited him to " puck-a-chee," 
meaning, "Get off of our land." Subsequently other 
Indians, especially the Chief Poweshiek, visited him, 
partook of his hospitality, and, conciliated by his 
genial manners and real worth, which they plainly 
discerned, permitted him to build a cabin, and 
later he purchased his land from the Government, 
p.aying therefor $1.25 per acre. .James Buchanan was 
the first Justice of the Peace elected inCcdar Town- 
ship, and on several occasions was re-elected in 
his precinct, covering what are now the present 
townships of Big Grove and Cedar. He came to 
Iowa City in the earl}' days searching for a doctor, 
and, when in the very heart of the city, inquired 



if any one could tell him the way to Iowa City. 
He found the doctor at home in his little log cabin 
and his search was not in vain. On June 1, 184(1, 
James Buchanan and Angeline West were united 
in marriage, but the young bride only survived 
her marriage six months. January 5, 1850 Kather 
Buchanan was married to Mrs. W. M. Dudley, who 
bore him one son, W. II. Buchanan, our subject. 
The father and son remained upon the homestead 
until the death of the loving wife and mother, July 
9, 1866. In the fall James Buchanan sold his 
farm, spent the following winter with friends in 
his native State, returned in the spring, and resided 
in the Palmer House, at Solon, until after his son's 
marriage in 1873, when he made his permaneiil 
home with his only child. 

Though a member of no church organization, 
James Buchanan lived a life of broad practical 
Christianity, and was a true friend, an affectionate 
husband, a kind father, and, as a citizen, belonged 
to the unchronicled vanguard of pioneer heroes 
who laid, in privation and sacrifice, the broad 
foundation of our prosperous States. He appreci- 
ated the advantages of an education, and our sub- 
ject, in the spring of 1867, entered the seminary 
of Springdale and there pursued his studies three 
years, finally completing a course of instruction 
in the Academy and Business College at Iowa 
City. Upon May 6, 1873, William H. Buchanan 
and Miss Bettie E. Wilson, a native of New York, 
were united in marriage. The parents of Mrs. 
Buchanan, James and Isabella Wilson, were born 
in Scotland, but early emigrated to America, and 
settled in the Empire State. Mrs. Buchanan was 
educated in the college at Canton, N. Y., and 
subsecpiently achieved success in her vocation, that 
of teaching. She was a lady of worth and intelli- 
gence and was deeply mourned when, upon August 
1, 1877, she died, leaving one child, a daughter, 
Maude, while a son, .James, died in infancy. 

September 3, 1879, our subject again entered 
into the matrimonial state, taking for his wife 
Miss Mollie A. Lawyer, of Solon, Johnson County, 
Iowa. The second union has been blessed by the 
birth of two children: B.ayard E. and Marie Fern. 
Immediately following his marriage in 1873, Mr. 
Buchanan located in Solon, and has since made it 



498 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Lis continuous place of residence. For five years 
he was in the mercantile business. Our subject is 
a citizen of broad intelligence and excellent busi- 
ness ability, and occupies a high social and financial 
position and is a prominent factor in local enter- 
prise and improvement. His estimable wife is an 
active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, 
and with her family is foremost in the promotion 
of good work. Politically, Mr. Buchanan is a 
Republican, and an earnest advocate of the princi- 
ples of the party. He has never been an office- 
seeker, but is in heart and steadfast purpose a 
true American citizen. 



\Tn^ OSWELL MORGAN. A representative and 
lk(f '•^'Jf''"" citizen and one of the pioneers of 
'■^\^ this section, Mr. Morgan resides on a fine 
farm in Washington Tovvnship and is en- 
joying a well-deserved prosperity, for he has been 
an industrious, hard-working man and is upright 
and strictly honorable in every worth}' particular. 
He was born iu Wayne County, Pa., December 13, 
1819, his fatiier, Samuel Morgan, having first seen 
the light of day in Connecticut, where he was 
born of Welsh parents. His attention w.as given 
to agriculture, and this occupation he followed 
after his marriage and removal to Pennsylvania, 
where he became the owner of a good-sized farm 
and gathered about him a considerable amount of 
this world's goods. After a life of usefulness he 
died on this farm at about the age of seventy-five 
years, having been a Whig in politics. He was 
married to Miss Rebecca Stratton, a native of Con- 
necticut, and to them a family of four sons and 
four daughters was given. The mother was called 
from this life at about the age of sixty-five j'ears. 
Roswell Morgan was the third of his parents' 
children, and, like most of the farmers' boj's of his 
day, he was reared on a farm and educated in 
the district subscription schools, which were fur- 
nished in tlie rudest description, with backless slab 



benches, old-time fireplace, etc. He dutifully re- 
mained with his father and assisted him in the 
work of the farm until he attained his majority, 
when he decided that it was time for him to try his 
wings, so he left the home of his boyhood and 
early manhood to make his own way in the world, 
and very naturally turned his attention to that 
occupation to which he had been reared. Soon 
after his marriage he purchased one hundred and 
forty acres of land, on which he at once settled 
and began improving it in the way of fences, 
buildings, etc. March 11, 1858, he married Miss 
Sarah A. Beers, who was born in Luzerne County, 
Pa., January 7, 1833, and to them were born six 
children: Ida (Mrs. Hamilton), Elmer E., Eva J. 
(Mrs. Manatt), Delia M., Hettie A. and J. Blanch. 

In 1858 Mr. Morgan decided to emigrate West- 
ward, and he and his family came as far on the 
journey by rail as Freeport, 111., and then by team 
the remainder of the way. The country at that 
time was still quite wild, but he soon became in- 
ured to the hardships of pioneer life, the sterling 
fiber of his nature not permitting him to relin(iuish 
his hold upon the advantages that he here saw be- 
fore him. He purchased one hundred and twenty 
acres of land, and b^- strict attention to his busi- 
ness and by many days of hard and persistent 
toil he increased his acreage to two hundred and 
eighty, all of which he has since nicely imi)roved, 
with the exception of fifteen acres, which is heavy 
timberland. Eighty acres of this land he gave to 
his son, Elmer E. Mr. Morgan knows the meaning 
of pioneer life, as he himself has cleared a large 
amount of land, hewing down the trees and labo- 
riously burning out the stumps in order to get the 
soil in shape for planting. He has been engaged 
in mixed farming, the raising of a good grade of 
stock receiving considerable attention at his hands. 

Our subject's substantial frame residence, which 
was erected in 1869, is commodious and attractive, 
and is a rallying-place for the best people of the 
locality. His large barn was built in 1876, and 
he has just finished a fine frame residence in Ka- 
lona. and will move there in a short time, for he 
deems it wise and fit after his long years of hard 
labor to retire from the active duties of his call- 
ing and enjoy the means which his many j'ears 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



499 



of earnest effort have brouglit him. He, like most 
Americans, is a well-posted and well-read man, 
and converses intelligently on the leading topics 
of the day. He is a Democrat in politics, a pub- 
lic-spirited and generous-minded man, who finds 
favor among all classes of people. He is gener- 
ally known for his excellent business qualifica- 
tions, is an able financier, and has been a very 
thorough and practical farmer. His fine farm at- 
tracts general attention because of the extreme 
nicety with which it is kept. 



ETER HUGHPX For nearly half a century 
the name of Peter Hughes has been insepar- 
■^ ably linked with the progress and develop- 
/ \ ment of Johnson County, Iowa, whose an- 
nals bear testimony to the integrity of his character 
and the brilliancy of his intellect. He was born 
in the North of Wales, December 8, 1816, of which 
section his parents, Joseph and Jane (Evans) 
Hughes, were also natives, and there their seven 
children were born. Having heard of the extreme 
fertility of the soil in America, and the numerous 
opportunities offered to men of small means to be- 
come wealthy, they left the land of their birth in 
1829 and braved the dangers of an ocean vo}'age 
in a sailing-vessel, landing in this country one 
month after having embarked. 

They settled first at Utica, N. Y., but in the 
spring of 1830 they removed to Pittsville, Pa., and 
later from there to Ebonsburg, Cambria County, 
Pa., from which place they came directly to John- 
son Count}-, Iowa, arriving in the month of March, 
1844, making the trip by water from Pennsylvania 
to Muscatine, Iowa, and from the latter place came 
on foot the rest of the way. This change of loca- 
tion eventually proved to be a very wise move, for 
although the country was extremely wild and un- 
broken and the woods were full of wild animals 
and Indians, it could at once be seen that the 
country was magnificent and offered every advan- 



tage to a man who had the manhood to keep per- 
sistently at work and bend the force of circum- 
stances to his will. Peter Hughes possessed these 
requisites and he at once took a claim on Clear 
Creek, on which he made some improvements, then 
sold out and bought the farm on which Hugh 
Tudor is now living. He spent three years on this 
farm, after which he disposed of it and moved to 
Chicago, where he remained two years and in that 
place he married his wife August 19, 1852, her 
maiden name being Jane Evans, and her birth had 
occurred in Anglesey, North Wales. She came 
to the United States in 1849 and after a short res- 
idence in Milwaukee, Wis., took up her residence 
in Chicago, where she afterward met and married 
Mr. Hughes. The following children eventually 
gathered about their fireside: Mary J., Emma, 
Sarah, Joseph (deceased), Thomas B., Rosanna 
and John P. 

Soon after the celebration of his marriage Mr. 
Hughes returned to Iowa and became the owner of 
the farm on which he has so long resided, the most 
of which he entered from the Govei'nment. His 
estate comprises two hundred and fifty-three acres, 
which, at the time it was entered among his pos- 
sessions, was covered with brush. He at once set 
to work to put up a log cabin and completed it 
with a haj' roof, which for a long time served them 
as a place of residence. His energy and enterprise 
knew no bounds, and in time his land began to as- 
sume a thrifty appearance and served as an apt 
illustration of the possibilities of the country and 
of what could be accomplished when the spirit of 
determination and laudable ambition actuated one. 
Many daj's were spent at the laborious work of 
grubbing, but he has now one of the finest and best 
tilled farms among the many magnificent ones of 
Johnson County, and he has the unbounded satis- 
faction of knowing that his fine property is the 
result of his own efforts with the valuable aid and 
advice of his worthy and intelligent wife. He also 
derives much satisfaction from the fact that he 
has never wilfull}' wronged any one in the accumu- 
lation of his means, but that his career as a man 
of affairs has been above reproach. The raising of 
grain and stock occupies his attention, and he is 
justly considered an excellent general farmer. His 



500 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



commodious frame resicieiice was erected in 1862, 
and he has several large barns, having built the 
principal one in 1881, and a new one in 1892. 
Mrs. Hughes is a member of the Congregational 
Cluircii, while lie is a Baptist in belief. Tlie Re- 
publican party has always received his support, but 
aside from casting his vote he has not been deeply 
interested in the political affairs of the country. 



/^EORGE A. HITCHCOCK, an energetic and 
III ,^_- leading citizen and successful agriculturist 
V^^Jj of Scott Township, Johnson County, Iowa, 
has since February, 1882, been intimately associ- 
ated with the best interests of liis locality, and for 
many years has discharged with elliciciit abil- 
ity the duties of Town Clerk and Assessor. Mr. 
Hitchcock is a native of New England, and was 
born in Maine, in the town of Yarmouth, eleven 
miles northe.ast of Portland, July 6, 1851. He 
was the fourth in a family of nine children born 
unto his parents. Gad and Mary E. (Davis) Hitch- 
cock, long-time residents of Maine, in which State 
the mother was born, the fatlier being a native of 
Massachusetts. Our subject spent the early years 
of his life in Yarmouth, and in his birthplace re- 
ceived a good common-school education. An in- 
telligent and ambitious boy, he determined to try 
his fortunes in the West, and at sixteen years of 
age, bidding adieu to the scenes of childhood, de- 
parted for Iowa. 

West Liberty was our subject's fiist location, 
where he worked out as a farm laborer for nine 
niontiis. He then came to Johnson County, and 
engaged in agriculture in Scott Township for the 
succeeding tliree or four years and then returned 
to Yarmouth, Me., where he found ready employ- 
ment as a painter and continued in this line of 
work for three years and a-half. During this 
period of time Mr. Hitchcock was uuited in mar- 
riage in Yarmouth, November 17, 1874, with Miss 
Adalaide S. Tolman, a native of Maine. Mrs. Hitch- 
cock was the second in order of birtli of the three 



children of Reuben and Marilla (Seabury) Tol- 
man, both natives of New England. Mr. Tolmau 
was born in Massachusetts and died in his native 
State, in Sharon. Mrs. Tolman was born in Maine, 
and passed away in the State of her nativity. Our 
subject and his estimable wife, Adalaide, became 
the parents of tliree children: Laura E., P2dwin T. 
and Florence W., bright intelligent and winsome 
little ones. 

In January, 1876, Mr. Hitchcock and liis wife 
journeyed to Johnson County, and made their 
home in Iowa City for a few months, then, remov- 
ing to East Lucas, settled in the agricultural dis- 
trict, where our subject again resumed his former 
occupation of a tiller of the soil. In the early 
part of 1882, tiiey removed to Scott Township, 
which has since been the continuous residence of 
Mr. Hitchcock, whose first wife passed away in 
Scott Township, December 19,1889. Our subject 
contracted a second marriage in Washington, D. C, 
September 21, 1892, then wedding Mrs. Delia 
M. Pettis, widow of the late Andrew Pettis (who 
died in Scott Township) and a daughter of tlie late 
Ira Lincoln, and sister of Mrs. Pardon Alderman. 
Ira Lincoln was an earnest, energetic and upright 
man of New England birth. lie located with his 
wife and family in Scott Township in 1865, and 
remained there continuously until his deatii, Janu- 
ary 15, 1881, when he passed away mourned by a 
large circle of friends and relatives. His wife, 
Cyntliia (Tracy) Lincoln, had preceded him to 
the better land Januarj' 1, 1880. Mrs. Hitchcock 
was the mother of two children b}' her first mar- 
riage: Jennie J. and Clirislina li. 

Our subject takes an active part in local politics 
and is a public-spirited citizen and a prominent 
factor in the promotion of home enterprises .and 
improvements. In his conduct of otiice he has 
given universal satisfaction and rendered faithful 
service to the community of the township. He is 
a valued member of the Independent Order of 
Odd Fellows, and has a host of friends witliin and 
without this time-honored order. Mrs. Hitchcock, 
an intelligent and accomplished lady, occupies a 
social position of usefulness and intluence. De- 
voted to the cultivation of the fine homestead lo- 
cated upon section 23, Mr. Hitchcock enjoys but 




, V. Plrro-^^o--'^ 




.f I 



^y/'*-.\jA A i. I T/M^ Jii \y(yu>-i^\^ 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



505 



little leisure, yet few people aie more thoroughly 
posted in the affairs of the day, or do their full 
duty as true American citizens more efficiently 
than our subject, who possesses the regard and es- 
teem of the general i)ublic. 



e-^HH^i=— 



"\|,/ITLIUS G. BROWN, the enterprising and 
prosperous proprietor of the well-known 
Cedar Park Stock Farm, located on section 
33, Cedar Township, Johnson County, Iowa, 
is one of the honored and representative pioneers 
of the State, and, a man of earnest resolution, busi- 
ness ability and sterling integrity of character, has 
materially aided in the development of the best 
interests of his home locality. His magnificent 
stock farm, finely cxiltivated, shelters large herds 
of Shorthorns, profitably bred and handled by our 
subject, who is thoroughly at home in and is con- 
sidered high authority upon the details of stock- 
raising and general agriculture. 

Mr. Brown is a native of Erie County, N. Y., 
and was born April 22, 1818. His remote ances- 
try is directly traceable to three brothers who in 
the earl}' part of the last century made their home 
in America, one brother settling in Massachusetts 
and the other two locating variously in tlie AVest 
and South. The paternal grandfather, Daniel 
Brown, was born July 18, 1753, and long made his 
home on a farm on the boundary line between 
New York and Massachusetts. He was a gallant 
soldier of the Revolutionary War and .served his 
country with brave fidelity, afterward dying at a 
good old age, departing this life October 24, 1837. 

The father of our subject, John Brown, was born 
in New York State, Rensselaer County, Noveml)er 
3, 1791. Attaining to mature age, he became a 
farmer in Erie County of the Empire State, and in 
1835 removed with his wife and children to 
t^uincj', 111., there resuming his vocation as a tiller 
of the soil. An early settler in Quincy, he was 
.associated with the growing enterprises of the lo- 
cality, and became a prominent citizen and was 

23 



Deacon of the First Baptist Church of the city. He 
held with dignified ability various local positions in 
both New York and Illinois, and efficiently served 
as County Supervisor and Justice of the Peace, 
giving to the conduct of each office the faithful 
fidelity for which he was distinguished. He died 
August 24, 1845, in the prune of his usefulness, 
his death mourned as a loss by all who knew hiin. 
His wife, Harriet Brown, was born in Herkimer 
County, N. Y., September 5, 1797, and died in 
Quincy, 111., September 30, 1870. She had married 
again after her husband's death, but there was no 
issue of this second union. Our subject and sister, 
Maria Flock, born November 23, 1834, are the only 
surviving children of the seven sons and daugh- 
ters who once gathered around the family hearth, 
and when a boy, Julius was the most delicate one 
of the brothers and sisters, never enjoying robust 
health. 

Julius G. attended when a child the little school- 
house of the district, but was mainly educated in 
the home of a Universal ist minister, with whom 
he lived for some time. Our subject accompanied 
his parents to Quincy, and at twenty-one years of 
age came to Iowa, and after prospecting in Van 
Buren County took up a claim, but, having con- 
tracted the ague, left some money with which to 
pay f(^- improvements and returned home. Before 
he was able to locate permanently in Iowa, some 
one jumped the land, and Mr. Brown received his 
money again. In 1839 became to Johnson County 
and purchased a claim in Cedar Township, and 
about one year later traded with his cousin for a 
part of his present valuable and extensive home- 
stead on section 33. First building, a log house, 
12x12, in which he and his wife at once made their 
home, he proceeded with the help of five yoke of 
oxen to break the prairie land. Our subject, win- 
ning his way upward by intelligent industry, has 
been prospered and atone time, with the exception 
of eight}' acres, owned all of section 33, and was the 
possessor of over fourteen hundred acres of arable 
land. Having given his children a start in life, he 
yet retains about six hundred acres and is the 
owner of large herds of valuable cattle. His sole 
capital in life when he began for himself was a 
yoke of oxen, an old wagon and $10 in money. 



506 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



After a time lie entered iuto raising stock, and 
during the Civil War fed numbers of cattle, and 
later engaged in hreeding Shorthorns. 

UiJon the 13th of -lune, 1844, Julius G. Brown 
and Miss Amaretta Nicholson, a native of Cravv- 
fordsvillc, Ind., born April i), 1823, were united 
in marriage. Mrs. Brown was the daughter of 
Robert Nicholson, a successful farmer located near 
Crawfordsville. Our subject and his estimable wife 
have been the parents of eight children. Harriet 
.Jane, the eldest, is the wife of Craven Stream, a 
prominent farmer located near Milford, Neb.; An- 
nette is the wife of Scott Beebe and resides in 
Ruby, Neb.; Ambrose S. is single and yet at home; 
.Tohii is deceased; Lauren is married and pursues 
the vocation of a farmer near Milford, Neb.; 
Laura married James Hazlewood and resides in 
Milford, Neb.; and Jared is married and owns a 
farm in Cedar Township. Mr and Mrs. Brown are 
the grandparents of nineteen children and have 
one great-grandchild. 

Our subject and his wife are both devoted 
Christian people but not at present connected by 
membership with any church. They and their 
sons and daughters in their several homes enjoy 
the respect and confidence of all who know them 
and occupy positions of usefulness and influence. 
Politically, our subject was in early life a^Whig, 
but is now a Republican and has with efficient 
ability discharged the duties of various township 
offices, and, ever ready to assist in local enterprises 
and improvements, is a true American citizen, pro- 
gressive and public-spirited. 



»^/ LONZO BROWN, an energetic, enterpris- 
ing and prosperous agriculturist and 
leading citizen located upon section 21, 
Cedar Township, Johnson County', Iowa, 
is a native of the State, and was born October 15. 
18,t(). His father, Edwin A. Brown, born in Rome, 
N. Y., August 27, 18i;>, was roared upon a farm of 
the Empire State, and when about eleven years of 



age removed with his parents to Quincy, 111., and 
there followed the occupation of a tiller of the 
soil until 1838, when he came to Johnson County, 
Iowa. He entered land in Cedar Township, and 
from the wild prairie brought the acres up to a 
high state of cultivation, and, a genuine pioneer, 
dwelt with his family in a loghouse and broke the 
land with a patient ox-team. His early efforts 
were well rewarded, and before his death he had 
accumulated a fine property, possessing seven 
hundred acres of valuable land, and was a noted 
breeder of Clydesdale horses, owning some of the 
finest stock in Iowa. Politically he was a Repub- 
lican, and in religious affiliation w.as a Universal- 
ist. He died November 22, 1888, mourned by 
the entire community among whom he had passed 
so many years of his honorable and upright life. 

The mother of our subject, Martha (McClain) 
Brown, was of Southern birth, the State of iier 
nativity being Maryland. She was of immediate 
Scotch descent, her father having emigrated from 
Scotland to America in an early day. Mother 
Brown was a Universalist in religious conviction, 
and in her daily life w.as a most estimable woman 
and one thoroughly devoted to the iuterests of her 
family. She passed away January G, 1887, and of 
her four children three are yet living. She had 
also an adopted daughter. Our subject was the 
youngest of the family, and after a preparatory 
education in the district schools, at the age of 
nineteen, entered the Academy of Iowa City, and 
enjoyed the advantage of three terms of instruc- 
tion, and finished his education at Ames (Iowa") 
Agricultural College. Constantly residing upon 
the old homestead he early received the charge of 
the farm. At present, aside from the duties of 
general agriculture, he profitably devotes much 
time to the raising of a high grade of stock, hand- 
ling horses, cattle and hogs. The three hunilred 
and sixty-five acres are well watered and thor- 
oughly drained, and are improved with most sub- 
stantial and commodious farm buildings. The 
fine family residence is attractive in exterior and 
interior, and is one of the most pleasant country 
dwellings in this part of the countr\'. 

Mr. Brown was married November 14, 1889, to 
Miss pylhie L, Adams, daughter of John E. and 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



507 



Jemima Adams, leading pioneer residents of John- 
sou County, widely known and highly respected. 
Mrs. Brown received her early education in the 
district seliools of her home neighboriiood, and 
later attended the Cornell College at Mt. Vernon, 
Iowa, and afterward taught school. She is a 
valued member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, 
and has always heen prominently identified with 
the social and benevolent enterprises of that re- 
ligious organization. Our subject is politically a 
stalwart Republican, but although deeply inter- 
ested in local and national issues, he has never 
sought an office, and is content to do his duty as 
an American citizen at the polls. A constant resi- 
dent of his present home during his entire life, and 
intimately associated with the growth and rapid 
advancement of Iowa, Mr. Brown enjoys a large 
acquaintance throughout Johnson County, and, an 
intelligent man of sterling integrity of character 
and excellent business attainments, is also num- 
bered among the progressive and public-spirited 
citizens, foremost in the promotion of the vital 
interests of the township. Our subject and his 
estimable wife both worthily receive the cordial 
regard and best wishes of the entire community, 
and extend the hospitality of their pleasant home 
to a large circle of sincere friends. 



i->^^<l 



eLAY BOWERSOX, a leading citizen, prom- 
inent business man and prosperous general 
merchant of Shueyville, Johnson County, 
Iowa, was born in Jefferson Township April 12, 
1857. His father, the Rev. James E. Bowersox, 
widely known in earl}' days as a most eloquent 
and powerful preacher of the Word, w.as born in 
Carroll County, Md., October 19, 1817. His father, 
Joel Bowersox, died when he was but nine years 
old, and as he was the eldest of seven children, he 
became his mother's only support, and early ex- 
perienced trials and hardships. His mother died 
when he was only fourteen j-ears of age, and he 
was thrown upon his own resources. His advan- 



tages for an education were necessarily very lim- 
ited, but with a thirst for knowledge he constantly 
improved himself, and in time became an excellent 
scholar and proficient in the English studies of 
the highest grades. He was also a linguist and a 
classical student, his perseverance overcoming all 
dilliculties in the attainment of that which he 
justly considered more precious than gold. He 
was converted at twenty-two, under the ministra- 
tions of the Rev. W. R. Course^', while attending 
a camp-meeting in Frederick County, Md., and 
soon after joined the I'nited Brethren Church, 
within a few years entering the ministry. 

Received into the Virginia Conference in 1841, 
the Rev. James E. Bowersox became a regular 
itinerant, and for seven years traveled around the 
Frederick, Hagerstown and Augusta Circuits. 
Since 1848 he only traveled as his health and cir- 
cumstances would permit, and in 1855 removed 
with his family to Iowa and purchased a farm in 
Jefferson Township, near Shueyville, and located 
upon his homestead. In 1856 he joined the Iowa 
Conference and gave efficient and active service 
in behalf of the cause of Christ until his death. 
A writer in speaking of him said, "He was above 
the average, energetic, instructive and impressive. 
He seldom went into the pulpit without giving his 
subject earnest consideration and study. His lan- 
guage was clear and concise, and his method of 
delivery forcible and earnest. He was a friend to 
educational advancement and was one of the lib- 
eral donors and co-laborers in the founding of 
Western College, and to the day of his death, Au- 
gust 20, 1880, interested himself in and was on 
various committees formed for the promotion of 
the best interests of the college." 

Mr. Bowersox was united in marriage with Miss 
Mary M. Shuey in Augusta County, Va.,b3' Bishop 
J. J. Glossbrenner, October 9, 1843. A kind friend, 
excellent citizen, devoted husband and father, 
consecrated to the labor of his life, he inherited 
from his German ancestry the traits of resolute 
perseverance and uncomplaining endurance i\iiich 
so ably aided him to carry forward triumphantly 
his great work in life. 

The mother of our subject was born in Augusta 
County, Va., January 26, 1825. Her father, Jacob 



508 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Sliiiey, was also a native of Augusta County, and 
was born June 20, 1797. Her paternal grandfather, 
Lewis Sliucy, was born in 1754, was a tiller of the 
soil and lived to a good old age. .Jacob Shuey 
w.as the youngest son and reeeived the old Vir- 
ginia homestettd, but in later life came with his 
family to Iowa, making the trip by wagon in 185.0. 
He purchased land in Jefferson Township and 
there founded the town of Shueyville, where he 
died October 30, 1867. He was a valued member 
of the United Brethren Church for many years. 
His wife, Elizabeth Lowman, was a native Virgin- 
ian and a most estimable woman. She died July 
12, 1875, and had been the mother of seven chil- 
dren, five of whom now survive. The Shueys are 
also of German descent. 

Clay Bowersox spent the days of his boyhood 
on the farm and attended the nearest district 
school, afterward completing his studies in West- 
ern College. He taught with success five terms of 
school and at the age of twenty-one began life for 
himself, settling on a farm and engaging in the 
duties of agriculture. In 1882 our subject pur- 
chased the general store, which he has since so suc- 
cessfully conducted, and he now enjoys a trade ex- 
tending out into the surrounding country. 

Mr. Bowersox was married in 1877 to Miss Mary 
A. Crowell, daughter of the Rev. A. and Mar}' 
(Kephart) Crowell, natives of Pennsylvania. The 
family came to Iowa many years ago, and here 
Mrs. Bowersox taught several terms of school, 
having previously attended Western College. The 
bright and intelligent children who have blessed 
the home of our subject and his accomplished wife 
are: Lela A. (deceased). Earl, Ralpii E., Etta and 
William E. Mrs. Bowersox is a member of the 
United Brethren Church and is active in religious 
and benevolent work. Our subject and his brother 
William II. have for some years been profitably 
engaged in manufacturing molasses. Financially 
prospered, Mr. Bowersox has received from his fel- 
low-townsmen many offices of trust and has been 
Postmaster since 1883. A stalwart Republican, he 
has held with efficient fidelity the position of Trus- 
tee of the township, and for three years has been a 
valued member and President of the School Board, 
and with energetic effort has materiallv aided in the 



upward progress of the schools of the locality. A 
young man of excellent judgment, enterprise and 
upright character, Mr. Bowersox has worthily won 
his upward way and fully enjoys the esteem of a 
wife circle of friends and old .•ic(juaintances. 






m^^^m^m 



//^ ORNELIUS GOOD ALE is one of the early 
(l\ n ss'-t'lcrs and prosperous agriculturists of 
^^J Poweshiek County, residing on section 4, 
Bear Creek Township. He has resided on his 
present farm since February, 1865, and though at 
one time he possessed two hundred and eighty 
acres, he has sold off a i)ortion but still owns one 
hundred and eighty acres, which he has greatly im- 
proved and has erected substantial buildings upon. 
His first j)urchase in this county was a tract of one 
hundred acres, for which he paid only $4 an acre. 
He was one of the first settlers in this immediate 
part and has been thoroughly identified with its 
interests. Mr. Goodale makes a si)ecialty of breed- 
ing Shorthorn cattle and Chester White hogs, 
having paid as high as $40 for one of the latter. 
He is truly the architect of his own fortunes and 
has succeeded beyond what he formerly dared 
to hope. 

Our subject was born August 9, 1831, in Mar- 
tinsburg, Lewis County, N. Y., and is a son of 
David and Catherine (Shaffer) Goodale. The 
former was born on Long Island, and during the 
War of 1812 was in the American service. He 
was a farmer by occupation, and died in Lewis 
County, N. Y., since the late war, when about 
eighty years of age. He was an active member of 
the Methodist Episcoi)al Church and a Deacon for 
many years. His wife, who survived him only a 
few months, was the mother of nine children: Sal- 
lie, now Mrs. Timothy Fox, who lives in Jefferson 
County, N. Y.; Nancy, now deceased; Eliza, Mrs. 
Monroe Phillips, of Oswego County, N. Y.; Jona- 
than, in Butler County, Iowa; Stephen, in Dubuque 
County, Iowa; Nicholas, who served in the Civil 
War from Nevv York State, and died in Butler 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



511 



County, Iowa; Harvey, who died at the age of nine- 
teen; Cornelius and Mary Austin, of New York, 
who complete the family. Tlie mother of these 
children was born in Holland. 

Our subject passed his boyhood on a farm and 
received only a limited education, attending 
scliool when his services were not needed on the 
farm. He is, therefore, largely self-educated and 
deserves great credit for what he has accom- 
plished in that direction. When only fourteen 
he left his father's home, working in a sawmill 
for about five years, after which he engaged in 
carpenter's and joiner's work for the succeeding 
six years. In 1855 he went to Illinois, where he 
followed his trade for two years, and then turned 
his attention to agricultural pursuits, a place of 
forty acres being his first purchase. 

Mr. Goodale has been twice married, his first wife 
being Miss Mary A., daughter of Smith and Anna 
(Paddock) Lamphere, of New York. The father 
was a leading farmer in that State, and about the 
year 1849 emigrated to Whiteside County, 111., 
where both he and his wife departed this life. 
They were both devoted members of the Method- 
ist Episcopal Church. In March, 1877, Mrs. Good- 
ale died at the age of forty-one years. She left four 
children: Linus; Emma, who was the wife of John 
Robson, and died February 28, 1890, leaving two 
children; Clark, who died at nineteen years of age; 
and Frank. December 5, 1878, Jennie, widow of 
John M. Gillis, became the wife of our subject. 
She was born in Fulton Count}', Pa., and is a 
daughter of Alexander and Eliza (Davis) Riche- 
son. The father emigrated from Ireland when 
eighteen years of age and passed the remainder of 
his life on his farm in Fulton County, Pa. Ilis 
death occurred January 16, 1865, and that of his 
wife Oct(jber "25, 1876. They were the pare:its of 
ten children, three of whom, John, William and 
Andrew C, served in the war, the latter dying at 
Washington from a wound received at the battle 
of Gettysburg. Mrs. Goodale had four children 
by her first marriage: Eliza J., John M., David A., 
and one who died in infancy. To our subject and 
wife has been born a son. Jay, and the.y also have 
an udtipted son, Harry. The parents are members 
of the Episcopal Church, and politicall}- Mr. Good- 



ale is an active Republican. He is a member of 
the Ancient Free & Accepted Masons, and is 
held in the highest respect by all who have been 
fortunate enough to make his acquaintance. 



^"*^?» 



(17 UTIIER TRIPLETT is one of the honored 
I (@ C'ii"l.V settlers of Pioar Creek Township, 
ilL^ I'oweshiek County. In December, 1868, he 
purchased and located on one hundred and sixt}' 
acres of land, for which he paid 112.50 an acre. 
This ])roperty, which he has greatly improved and 
which is under good cultivation, is still in his pos- 
session and to this he has since added additional 
land, now owning two hundred and forty acres al- 
togther. He is a self-made man and at the age of 
twenty years, when he started out from home, he 
rented an eight^'-acre farm of his father. As he 
was careful and saving, he managed to lay by some 
money each year, and thus in the course of time 
has accumulated a comfortable competence. His 
well-cultivated farm is located on section 4, five 
miles from the village of Brookljn. The owner is 
numbered among the enterprising and well-to-do 
farmers of the community, where he has made his 
home for a quarter of a centurj-. 

The grandfather of our subject, Slp|ilieu Tripiett, 
emigrated to the United States from his native 
land, England, locating in Culpeper County-, Va., 
where he was overseer on a large plantation. 
About the year 1820 he removed to Muskingum 
County, Ohio, and after a residence there of some 
fifteen years went, in 18.'}5,to Bureau County, 111., 
where he resided until his death. To himself and 
wife, formerly Miss Polly Beaumont, were born 
seven sons and five daughters. Aqiiilla, our sub- 
ject's father, was born in Culjieper County, Va., 
August 6, 1807, and when twelve j-ears of age re- 
moved with his parents to Ohio, and in 1834 went 
with them to Bureau Count}\ 111. He entered and 
improved one hundred and sixty acres of land and 
also improved three or four smaller farms in the 
vicinitv. He served as Justice of the Peace and 



512 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



was a prominent citizen of the county. He was 
an active Democrat and had the welfare of his fel- 
low-citizens deeply at heart. His death occurred 
while on a visit to our subject in September, 1878. 
His wife, who was in maidenhood Elizabeth Wil- 
son, survived her husband until November, 1892, 
and at the time of her death lacked only eleven 
days of being eighty-four years old. She was born 
in Pennsylvania, was of Irish descent, and reared 
a family of nine children: Mary M. ; Rebecca J., 
who died when young; Zilpha, Luther, Thomas M., 
Lemuel, Levi, .Julius, Wilson and Aquilla. 

In Bureau Courtty, 111., on September 14, 1854, a 
marriage ceremony united Luther Triplett and 
Celia A. Ball, who was born in Belmont County, 
Ohio. Her parents were Vachcl and Fannie (Baily) 
B.all, both natives of Maryland and earl3' settlers 
in Ohio, from which State they afterward removed 
to Bureau County, 111. The union of Mr. and Mrs. 
Triplett has been blessed with six children: Frank; 
Howard; Fannie E., wife of F. O. Littlefield; Mon- 
sieur, Aquilla and Lou. The parents, and indeed 
the whole famil}-, are greatly respected in this 
county, and are numbered among her best citizens. 
Mr. Triplett is much interested in civic societies, 
being a member of the Ancient Free & Accepted 
Masons, of the Ancient Order of ITnited Work- 
men, and also of the Legion of Honor. As was his 
father before him, he is a strong Democrat in po- 
litical faith. 



•-^^I^^^^IS^-^ 



^1^ DWARD A. WILLETT, an honored veteran 
IW) of the late Civil War, in which he served 
/'' — -^ from beginning to end with credit to him- 
self, is one of the early settlers of Poweshiek 
County and has been for many years engaged in 
farming on his present place, two miles from Mon- 
teiEuma. Mr. Willett was born in Mercer County, 
111., on the 7th of April, 1840, and is the sixth 
in order of birth in a family of twelve children 
born to James E and Lydia Ann (Stout) Willett. 
When he was only fifteen years of age his father 



died, but he still remained under the old roof tree 
with his mother until the war broke out. 

Mr. Willett answered the call for three hundred 
thousand troops, enlisting in Company A,Thirtietli 
Illinois Infantry, and was sent into camp at Spring- 
field, after which the company was located with 
headquarters at Cairo, 111., and for some time our 
subject was detailed on scout duty, being eng.aged 
in several skirmishes in Kentucky and Mis.souri. 
After the battle at Ft. Donelson he proceeded to 
Corinth and was one of the besiegers there until the 
city was evacuated by the Confederates. In the 
battle of Britain Lane, near Midon, our subject 
showed considerable cour.age by capturing the rebel 
arms, and was commissioned Corporal for his meri- 
torious conduct. With his regiment he next went to 
La Grange, and thence to Holly Springs.Water Val- 
ley and Memphis. After remaining in the latter city 
for some time the regiment removed to Milliken's 
Bend and were in the battle of Raymond, Miss., 
after which they took part in the battle of Cham- 
pion Hills, next going to the Black River; from 
there they proceeded to lay siege to Vicksburg, 
near which city they were located until the fall. 
In January, 1864, Mr. Willett re-enlisted in the 
infantrj' as a veteran after a furlough of only 
thirty days, and was sent on the Georgia campaign, 
participating in the battles of Ackworth and Ken- 
esaw Mountain, and being in the engagement in 
which Gen. McPherson was killed, July 22. Later 
he went with Sherman on his march to the sea and 
was mustered out as Sergeant July 19, 18G5. Dur- 
ing his long service he was wounded three times. 
At the siege of Corinth, while performing some 
feat of special daring, he was shot through the 
right arm, was afterward wounded in the same arm 
and again in the right ankle. His injuries did 
not weaken his courage and he was laid up onl}' a 
short time. 

On returning from the war, Mr. Willett chose for 
the future partner of his joys and sorrows Miss 
Elizabeth Mahala Roger, who was born in Ohio. 
The marriage ceremony was celebrated December 
4, 1865. Four living children gr.ace their union. 
Noyes W., wlio is unmarried, is a shorthand re- 
porter at Ft. Worth, Tex.; Mabel E., a graduate of 
the Montezuma school, is now te.aching near her 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



ol3 



father's home; Ettie L. is a graduate of the same 
excellent schools, and Essie E. is the youngest of 
the family. The second child, Georgie V.,died in 
1871, aged two j'ears. 

In Ma}', 1867, our subject came to tliis countj' 
and engaged in merchandising at ISIalcom until 
February of the following year, wlien he sold out 
his business and removed to his present farm. He 
has two hundred acres under good cultivation and 
does general farming and stock-raising. A large 
and fruitful orchard yields large quantities of 
luscious fruit, both for home use and for shipment, 
and the land, which is fertile, also produces large 
crops of grain. It is conveniently located, being 
only two miles from the county seat. Mr. Willett 
h.as latel}' increased the farm in value by erecting 
one of the finest residences in the county and fur- 
ther intends to build a commodious barn in the 
near future. During the winter of 1876-77 our 
subject served as Justice of the Peace and has also 
been for several terras a Trustee. During 1879 he 
w.as made Road Supervisor and has in many other 
l)Ositions served his friends and neighbors in this 
locality with credit to himself and with satisfaction 
to all. He is prominent in Republican political 
circles, and, as should be the case with every Amer- 
ican citizen and patriot, he uses the right of fran- 
chise with forethought and conscientious purpose. 






WILLIAM P. TEN KICK, a representative 
general agriculturist, and a son of one of 
tlie oldest pioneer settlers and early farmers 
of Johnson County, Iowa, has been a resident of 
Scott Township since about seven years of .age, 
and owns a valuable homestead of two hundred 
and seventeen .acres, located on section 16 and 
well known .as the Teneick Farm. Our subject was 
the eldest of a famil}' of six .sons and four daugh- 
ters and was born in Montgomer}' County, Ohio, 
]May 26, 18.33. His paternal great-grandfather. 



William Post Teneick, was born in Poland and, 
emigrating in a very early day to America, located 
in New Jersej', where his son, Matthew Teneick, 
w.as born, and reared a family, of whom his son 
Matthew, the father of our subject, was a member. 
The latter was born in Monmouth County, N. J., 
August 12, 180.5. Grandfather Teneick was a phy- 
sician, and removing from New Jersey practiced in 
Montgomery County, Ohio, where he died. 

Salome (Cole) Teneick, the mother of our sub- 
ject, was a native of Dayton, Ohio, born De- 
cember 9, 1816. The maternal grandparents were 
John .and Hannah (Schevelier) Cole, descendants 
of Scottish ancestry. The parents of AVilliam P. 
were united in marriage in D.ayton, Ohio, and re- 
mained for some time in the Buckeye State, finally, 
in 1838, journeying to the prairies of Illinois and 
settling thereon in the fall of the year. Early the 
next summer, 1839, they removed to Iowa City, 
where they lived for one year. They then located 
upon a homestead in .Scott Township, wliere the 
parents have since continued to reside. Matthew 
Teneick built the first house of a.ny consequence 
in Iowa City, and one of the sisters of our subject 
was the first white child born in Iowa City, the 
day of her nativity having been Januar}' 8, 1840. 
The father has .always taken an active part in local 
afl'airs and, intimately .associated with the growth 
and progress of Johnson County, was from his 
earliest residence a most important factor in local 
advancement and the promotion of the best inter- 
ests of the State. Matthew Teneick was reared a 
Presbj'terian but has lately joined the Methodist 
Church. His good wife was trained from child- 
hood in tlic Methodist faith. Believing that e.acli 
was right in the particular doctrines of their dif- 
ferent denominations, they mutually gave each 
other the freedom of their own opinion and were 
equally liber.al in their support of the religious 
organizations. 

Our subject was but six years old when liis 
parents located in Iowa Citj'. He was reared upon 
the home farm in Scott Township, where he assisted 
in farming duties and during the winter months 
attended school, remaining with his parents until 
at twenty years of .age, in 1853, he started upon 
the overland trip to California. Safely reaching 



514 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



the Pacific Coast, he spent about four years in tlie 
Golden Slate and it was not until 1857 that he re- 
turned again to his home and once more engaged 
in agricultural pursuits, ever since the avocation of 
liis life. The following year, 1858, our subject 
was, upon October 20, united in marriage with 
Miss Margaret Hunter, born in Milton, Mahoning 
County, Ohio, July 20, 1835. She is the daughter 
of the late Adam and Elizabeth (Morrison) Hunter, 
pioneer residents of Scott Township, Johnson 
County, and widely known and highly respected. 
Adam Hunter was born in County Antrim, Ireland, 
April 23, 1796. His wife was a native of York- 
town, Pa., and was born October 4, 1806. They 
were married in Yorktown but soon removed to 
Maryland, Mi-. Hunter conducting an extensive 
grocery business in Baltimore for some years, 
afterward locating upon a farm near Youngstown, 
Ohio. They finally settled in Malioning County, 
where they remained until 1850, when they jour- 
neyed to Iowa, and made their home in the north- 
west corner of Scott Township, Johnson Count}'. 
Mr. Hunter died December 18, 1876, mourned b}' the 
entire communities of the county. He was a man 
of unusual ability, earnest in purpose and of ster- 
ling integrity of character. His wife survived him 
about fourteen years, passing awaj' February 6, 
1890. Mr. Hunter was aetivelj' interested in po- 
litical affairs and was a stanch Democrat. In relig- 
ious belief he was a Presbyterian, and both he and 
his good wife were workers in church enterprises, 
and materially aided in the extension of religious 
influence. The pleasant home of these worthy 
pioneers was blessed by the birth of twelve children, 
seven sons and five daughters, Mrs. Teneick being 
the seventh child of the family. 

Our subject and his estimable wife are the parents 
of five living children. Charlotte S., the eldest, is 
the wife of Orville Mead. William F. is engaged 
in farming in California. Edward G., Matthew L. 
and Joseph W. are yet unmarried and remain at 
home. Mrs. Teneick is a valued member of the 
Methodist Ejiiscopal Church, and with her family 
is a liberal supporter of that organization. Mr. 
Teneick is widely known as a broad thinker and 
is recognized as an able, conscientious and upright 
man. Progressive in his ideas and of innate force 



of character, he gives to each duty of life earnest 
attention, and, a kind friend, excellent neighbor 
and true American citizen, lie commands tlic eoiifi- 
denco and respect of all who know him. 



^^ HRISTOPHER M. W. ENGELBERT, a 
(l( n Pi'0™inent and wealthy stockman of Hil- 
^^7 ton Township, Iowa County, resides in his 
beautiful home on his farm adjoining Conro}', 
which is one of the finest country residences in the 
county, and over which his wife, who is a lad}- of 
much culture and a fine musician, presides gra- 
ciously. 

Our subject is a native of this township, where 
he was born March 16, 1859. His father, Cliris- 
topher Engelbert, is one of the pioneers of Iowa 
County, and for about half a century has been 
identified with her prosperit}'. Our subject was 
reared to manhood on his father's farm, receiving 
a fair education in the public schools, and in 1884 
entered the Iowa State University at Iowa City, 
graduating therefrom March 5, 1886. 

Prior to his entering that institution, Air. Engel- 
bert had bought and shipped considerable stock, 
and after completing his education, he again en- 
gaged in that business. Since that time he has 
been one of the most extensive feeders and shi[i- 
pers of live-stock in the county. For about one 
year lie was engaged in the mercantile business in 
Conroy with a brother, but he found that occupa- 
tion much too slow, and therefore retired from 
merchandising. He was also for a time Postmas- 
ter at Conroy, but resigned the office. 

November 18, 1888, a marriage ceremony was 
performed which united the fortunes of Mr. En- 
gelbert and Clara D., a daughter of Henry Halver- 
son, a wealthy farmer, a veteran of the late war, 
and a prominent member of the Lutheran Churcli. 
Three bright little ones grace this union: Raj-- 
mond Henrj' Christopher, who is three 3'ears of 
age; Ethel Laurane, aged two j'ears; and Elsie 







/ 




'{H-p-'i-t 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



517 



Ruth, an infant two months old. Like all of the 
members of his family, Mr. Kngelbert is a strong 
Democrat, but never meddles with local politics. 
He is a prominent Mason, an Odd Fellow and a 
leading member of the Lutlieran Church. He has 
been very successful in liis business operations, and 
is justly esteemed one of the most enterprising and 
progressive business men of the community. 



lO 



ENEAS McDonnell is one of the repre- 
sentative and intelligent farmers of John- 
,r -^ son County, making his home on section 36; 
Big Grove Township. His name is well worthy to 
be placed among the sturdy pioneers who have 
paved the way to the present prosperity' and wealth 
of the county. His birth occurred March 30, 1824, 
in County Antrim, Ireland, his parents being John 
and Margaret (Campbell) McDonnell. The father 
was possessed of a superior education, which was 
acquired in one of the foremost educational insti- 
tutions in Belfast. His life was devoted to teach- 
ing and for over thirty years he kept a private 
school, preparing students to enter the higher col- 
leges and universities. In 1845 he emigrated to 
America, making his home with our subject in 
Johnson County. For a few years he taught school 
in the neighborhood, but some five years after his 
arrival in this country he departed this life, at tiie 
age of sixty-three years. Wlien only seventeen he 
had commenced teaching, later going to college. 
He educated himself and was always a great student. 
His wife, who died in Ireland, was a devoted mem- 
ber of the Catholic Church, to whicli lie also be- 
longed. Their family comprised three sons and 
four daughters. Tiic eldest, John, was educated 
at Dublin, afterward spending three years at Edin- 
burgh. He became a physician, having a large 
practice in Liverpool and later in London. The 
j-oungest son died at tiie age of twelve years. Tlie 
daughters all came to America, were married and 



became residents of Iowa. The eldest sister is now 
deceased. 

Until thirteen j'ears of age our subject attended 
the common schools, but at that time, on account 
of poor health, lie dropped his studies and lived 
an out-door life, working a small farm, which 
belonged to his father. He crossed the Atlantic 
witli the latter in 1845, starting from Liverpool . 
and landing in New Orleans at the end of forty- 
nine days. From the Crescent City they proceeded 
up the Mississippi to Muscatine, Iowa, thence 
coming to this county. He purchased a claim on 
the land which he has since operated on section 36, 
Big Grove Township. A small field had been 
broken and a log cabin erected upon this tract, 
which, with these exceptions, was a wilderness and 
entirely unimproved. Wild game was very plenti- 
ful, deer could be seen every day, and the year be- 
fore a bear had been killed in a grove opposite his 
home. In the summer of 1846 our subject suffered 
for three months with the ague, which naturally 
discouraged him in regard to the wisdom of his 
settlement in this locality. However, he deter- 
mined to make the best of his circumstances and 
soon recovered. For a number of years he led a 
regular pioneer life, with its attendant privations 
and discomforts. He broke his land with ox-teams 
and graduall}' brought the fertile soil into a good 
condition, suitable for extensive farming. 

In the fall of 1860 Mr. McDonnell was married 
to Martha Moran, a native of Lorain County, Ohio. 
She had received good school advantages at Du- 
buque and for some years was a successful teacher. 
She came to Solon in this county as a teacher, 
and here our subject became acquainted with her. 
Her death occurred in 1875. Slie was a lady of 
much more than ordinary intelligence and worthy 
qualities, and her death was sincerely mourned by 
a wide circle of friends and acquaintances. To 
Mr. and Mrs. McDonnell was born a family of six 
children, of whom the record in as follows: Mad- 
eleine; Edith, wife of Fred C. Kile, who is a jour- 
alist at Aberdeen, S. Dak.; Amelia, who is teaching 
school; William; Cecelia, wife of Austin M. Clark; 
and Augusta, deceased. They all received good 
school advantages and were all of them teachers at 
one time 



518 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



In regard to politics, Mr. McDonnell is inde- 
pendent, choosing to vote for the man who, in his 
estimation, is best qualified to fill the position, re- 
gardless of party principles. He has served his 
fellow-citizens as Assessor of Big Grove Township, 
and has ever done his share to advance the best 
interests of the community, with whicli he has been 
identified for nearly half a century. He is a mem- 
ber of the Catholic Churcii, being President of one 
of its committees. Coming to Johnson Countj' 
with little capital, Mr. McDonnell has steadily 
risen on the ladder of success. His farm of one 
hundred and sixty acres has been brought to its 
present high state of cultivation by liis own indus- 
try and the jjioneer log cabin of former years, 
which was later replaced by a frame structure, is 
now supplanted bj" a substantial brick residence. 
Around this are a number of evergreen trees which 
were little saplings when our subject set them out 
many 3'ears ago, but liave now reached almost gi- 
gantic proportions. He raises and feeds a good 
grade of stock and is justly numbered among the 
progressive farmers of the township. 



AVID HOOVER, a prominent citizen and 
prosperous agriculturist of Madison Town- 
ship, Johnson Count}', Iowa, has for seven 
years held with ability the position of 
Townsiiip Trustee, and, a devoted Christian man 
of sterling integrity of character, has worthily 
been a valued member of the Church of God, and, 
first appointed a Deacon, was afterward made El- 
der of that religious organization and foi' manj' 
years faithfully performed the duties of the sacred 
ollice, finally retiring from the same at his own 
urgent request. 

Mr. Hoover was born in Huntingdon Count}*, 
Pa., August 7, 1820, and was the son of John 
Hoover, a native of Pennsylvania. The paternal 
grandfather was of immediate German ancestry, 
and was a hard-working and frug.al man, passing 
an uneventful life and dying at a good old age. 



The father emigrated to Iowa and died in his 
Western home when seventy-seven years of age. 
His wife, Anna (Berkstresser) Hoover, was also a 
native of the Quaker State, and preceded her hus- 
band to the better land. Our subject was the fifth 
of the eleven children and is now the only survivor 
of the famil}-. He was reared upon the homestead 
and attended the rude little log schoolhouse, with 
slab seats and a puncheon floor. 

Remaining with his father until twenty-one 
years of age, our subject was afterward variously 
engaged until he entered upon the pursuit of ag- 
riculture for himself. Not succeeding in his early 
home, he finally decided to go West. It was after- 
ward known that the land he endeavored to culti- 
vate in the East was underlaid with coal, wliich 
accounted for its lack of fertility. In the fall of 
1849 lie came to Johnson County, Iowa, where a 
friend had entered eighty acres of land for him 
upon section 10, Madison Township. Tlie land 
was uncultivated prairie and upon it he at once 
built a small frame house, 14.xl6,and manufactured 
the shingles for the roof. The old house is still in 
existence, and although timeworn and weather- 
beaten has survived the changes of many years 
and is a mute witness to the privations of pioneer 
days. Breaking the stubborn land with his patient 
ox-teams, he then owning six yoke, he soon began 
to reap a harvest as the reward of his toil. For 
three years he also broke the land of other claims, 
and thus materially increased his income. Mr. 
Hoover now has a fine farm of two hundred and 
sixty acres, well improved with excellent barns and 
a commodious and attractive country residence, 
and has by self-reliant industry steadily won his 
upward way to assured pros[)erity. 

Upon April 3, 184.5, our subject was united in 
marriage with Miss Sarah AUoway, a native of 
Huntingdon County, Pa., her parents being old 
and highly respected citizens of the (Quaker State. 
Mrs. Hoover passed away February 13, 1871. She 
was a lady of worth, and Iiecarae the mother of nine 
children. The sons and daughters who blessed this 
pleasant home were Rebecca, Eli, John, Silas and 
Frances, deceased; Mary .1.; Sarah, deceased; George 
and David J. 

Mr. Hoover contracted a second marriage upon 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



)19 



June 15, 1872, then wedding Mrs. Catherine (Say- 
lor) Vonstein, a native of Franklin County, Pa. 
Mrs. Hoover was formerly the wife of Philip Von- 
stein, wlio was wounded at Cedar Creek, October 
19, 1864, and died October 27, deeply mourned by 
his many friends. He had enlisted in 1862 in the 
Twenty-eighth Iowa Infantry and was a Corporal. 
He made his home in .Johnson County with his 
wife in 1856. Mr. and Mrs. Hoover were tiie parents 
of six children: Mar}' E. and Virginia, deceased; 
William, David, John and Katie. Our subject and 
Ins worthy wife, togctlier with their family, are 
valued members of the Church of God and ably 
aid in the maintenance of its good work. As an 
offlcer in the church Mr. Hoover was most effi- 
cient, and, an upright man, never neglects any 
duty entrusted to his care. Politically our subject 
is a stanch Republican and a sincere advocate of 
the party of progress and reform, and is ever inter- 
ested in local and national issues. Alwaj's ready 
to assist in the promotion of the public welfare 
and aid in the upward progress of his home locality,. 
he is in word and deed a thoroughly progressive 
and public-spirited citizen and a worthy represent- 
ative of the Iowa i)ioncers wIk) are fast passing 
away. 



l^+^i 



eAPT. JOHN W. CARR, the subject of our 
sketch, is a man of strong personal attrac- 
tion and is very popular at Montezuma, 
Iowa, the place of his residence. Back of him is a 
brilliant war record, he having been a Captain at the 
age of twenty-three, later being breveted a Major, 
although "the boys" give him the former title, 
which he prefers. He is one of the oldest settlers 
in the county, widely known, well-to-do, liberal 
and very enterprising. Capt. Carr is a practicing 
attorney and has been a resident of the county 
since December 14, 1847. His term of service as 
Commander of Wisner Post commenced in Decem- 
ber, 189.3. He was born in Logan County, III., 
near Mt. Pulaski, April 26, 1839, being the son of 



William Carr, a native of Virginia, and the son of 
a planter. 

The father of our subject, when a young man, 
went to Logan County, 111., at an early day, where 
he opened a farm and improved it. He was a 
soldier in the Black Hawk War and died when still 
young, in the year 1846. The mother of our sub- 
ject, Catherine Moore, was born near Columbus, 
Ohio, and emigrated with her parents to Logan 
County, III., her father, Nicholas Moore, being a 
farmer of that county. The latter came to Powe- 
shiek County in 1845, and died here in the follow- 
ing year. The grandmother of our subject, Sarah 
Downing, resided near Montezuma for a number 
of years, where she reared our subject until his 
eighteenth year, she dying in 1875. The mother 
of our subject died in Illinois in 1843, leaving 
four children, namely: Sarah, Mrs. Deardorff, of 
Union City, Okla.; Catherine, widow of Mr. Dear- 
dorff, of Truro, Madison County, Iowa; Nicholas, 
of Neligh, Neb., who was Sheriff of Poweshiek 
County for four years and served in the Tenth 
Iowa during the war, was sj)ecial examiner of 
tillage land in Nebraska under Cleveland, and 
IS now a Justice of the Peace, and our subject. 

John W., who was^the youngest, lived in Illinois 
until eight 3'cars old, making his home with an 
uncle, William Moore, after the death of his father. 
In the year 1847, with his brother and sisters, he 
joined his grandmother in Iowa, driving all the 
way and reaching Poweshiek County in December 
of that year. Some difficulties were encountered on 
the way, the Mississippi being crossed at Warsaw 
because it was blockaded at Ft. Madison, passage 
being secured on a horse ferry. At this time Mon- 
tezuma was not platted, there being but one house 
on the site. They stayed in Union Township near 
Forest Home until 186(1; they found only a few set- 
tlements in Lallimorse Grove and there were only 
scattered settlements in Bear Creek, where Brook- 
l3'n now is. His Grandmother Moore had the best 
house in the county, which was of logs, 18x20 
feet. Church services were held here from time 
to time, when the preacher came around. This 
was the home of Capt. Carr during his boyhood 
and youth. He began work early, driving oxen, 
breaking prairie land, etc. Our subject was a 



520 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



pupil in the first log schoolhoiise of the county, 
with its puncheon tloors and seats, windows of 
greased paper and huge fireplace, supplied with 
wood by the boys, the teacher being the County 
Clerk. Our subject was detained at home most of 
the time bj' farm duties, but he studied nights .at 
home and in this way managed to keep up with 
his class. 

When eighteen years old, in 18.57, our subject 
spent a summer in Missouri, where, brought in 
contact with slavery, he learned to loath it; and be- 
came an Abolitionist. AVhile there he resolved to 
obtain an education at all hazards, and beginning 
with his return to Iowa in the fall of 1857, he worked 
liard until 1859, when he entered Iowa College at 
the fall session, spending two years there and 
teaching in the vacations. When the war broke 
out, he left college to enter Company F, Tenth 
Iowa Infantry. In .July, 1861, he was mustered in 
.at Iowa City, elected a Second Lieutenant and went 
South. In February, 1862, a relapse of measles 
compelled him to resign and he returned to Mont- 
ezuma, bought a drug store and began the studj^ 
of medicine with the intention of becoming a 
ph^-sician, when, in Jul^^ 1862, at the call for three 
hundred thousand men, he accepted a commission 
from Gov. Kirkwood as Captain and raised Com- 
pany C, Twentj^-eightli Iowa Infantry, recruiting 
them in Iowa City, one hundred men in all. The 
regiment went to Helena, Ark., spent the winter 
in that State and Mississippi, and took part in the 
battles around Vicksburg, Port Gibson, Champion 
Hill, Black River Bridge, and the siege of Vicks- 
luirg, followed by .Jackson. 

After this the regiment of our subject returned 
to Vicksburg and then went to the Department of 
the Gulf at New Orleans; it took part in the battle 
of Carrion Crow Bayou, and then, in the spring of 
1864, went on the Red River expedition with Banks, 
where his com pan}' suffered severe loss. It later re- 
turned to the river and was sent around to W.ash- 
ington City by way of New Orleans. In the j'car 
1864 his company took part in Sheridan's raid in 
the Shenandoah Valley. Our subject w.as wounded 
in the battle of Winchester, September 19, 1864, 
being shot through the right thigh with a minie- 
ball, while making an advance. lie walked to the 



rear, when, becoming faint, he was taken in an am- 
bulance to Harper's Ferry, where he remained until 
September 25, when he obtained a leave of absence 
and came home. His recovery followed, and just 
after Lincoln's election he returned to his com- 
mand, and, the Colonel, Lieutenant-Colonel and 
Major being wounded, assumed command, con- 
tinuing for a month, until the Major returned. 
Our subject was commissioned a M.ajor, but too 
late for mustering, and after his return home he 
was commissioned a Major by brevet b}' President 
Johnson. From the Shenandoah, the regiment 
was sent to Savannah to return with Sherman; 
later was sent to Newbern, N. C, to co-operate 
with Sherman; then to Savannah, and later to Au- 
gusta, to assist in the paroling of Johnston's 
army; it then returned to Savannah and w.as mus- 
tered out, July 31, 1865. Later it proceeded to 
Davenport, where it was discharged and dispersed. 
Out of one hundred men originally mustered in 
and twenty recruits, but forty-three came home to- 
gether. Our subject engaged in the dry-goods 
business until 1869, when he was elected Clerk of 
the court on the Republican ticket; was I'e-elected 
and elected again, serving from January, 1870, to 
January, 1876, being elected at one time by a ma- 
jority of fourteen hundred. During this time he 
studied law under Judge Blanchard and was ad- 
mitted to the Bar in February, 1876. He began 
the practice at once, forming a partnership under 
the firm name of Redman & Carr, Mr. Redman af- 
terward being the Speaker of the Iowa House of 
Representatives. The new firm was successful from 
the outset and soon built up a large i)ractice. In 
1886 our subject withdrew and opened an office in 
Des Moines with a Mr. Chesshire. Six months 
later, Capt. Carr opened an office at Harper, Kan., 
bat in the fall of 1887 he came to Montezuma and 
has remained here ever since. He was one of the 
organizers of the Montezuma Savings Bank, was 
elected President of it, and has served in that 
cap.acity up to date; he was also identified with the 
organization of the First National Bank, in which 
he served as Director until June, 1886. Besides 
his stock in these institutions, he owns several farms 
in this county and a very handsome residence in 
Montezuma. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



521 



Capt. CaiT was married at Moutezunia, January 
10, 1866, to Miss Lottie F"riclc, a native of Erie 
County, N. Y., and reared in Slieboygan, AVis. Capt. 
and Mrs. Carr have two cliildren. Fred was edu- 
cated at the Agricultural College at Ames, Iowa, 
and is now studjing architecture in Chicago. He 
is at present Secretary of the Carpenters' District 
Union of Chicago. Cliff, the other son, represents 
the Smith-Premier typewriter, and is a stenogra- 
pher and operator with headquarters at St. Paul. 
He was educated at the Capital City Commercial 
College, of Des Moines. Capt. Carr has been a 
member of the City Council several terms and is a 
member of the present Board, and has been con- 
nected with the School Board in various capacities. 
Beside being Commander of Wisner Post No. 127, 
G. A. 11., he is also a member of the Ancient Order 
of United Workmen, the Knights of Pythias, the 
Master's Lodge and the Royal Arch Masons. The 
politics of our subject are very decidedly Republi- 
can, he having served as Chairman of the Repub- 
lican County Committee a number of times and 
frequentlj' been elected to ollice on the ticket of 
that part}'. 



S|ny>RYAN DENNIS, the subject of this sketch, 
|l^^, is an old settler and an ex])erienced farmer, 
|7\?i)jjl' living on section 29, Clear Creek Town- 
^S^ ship, .Johnson County, Iowa, who, in his 
long life has acquired in addition to a thorough 
knowledge of husbandry a rich fund of experi- 
ence of men and things. He was born in Cler- 
mont County, Ohio, August 1, 1819, being the eld- 
est son of John and Mary A. Dennis, for account 
of whom see sketch of Isaac V. Dennis. Our sub- 
ject was reared in his native county, where he re- 
mained until his twentj^-lirst year, when he came 
to Clear Creek Township, taking up land from the 
Government two j'ears later. 

Mr. Dennis was married at Iowa City, October 
30, 1844, to Agnes J. McCoiinell, a native of 
Greenfield, Highland County, Ohio, wlio was born 



April 25, 1825. Her father. John IMcConnell. was 
a native of Virginia, and her mother of Pennsyl- 
vania. The latter died at Valparaiso, lud., in 1839. 
The maiden name of her motlier was Margaret 
Byers, who died before the father came to Iowa, 
he coming in the same year, however, 1839, and 
dying in 1845. Mrs. Dennis was the fourth child 
and third daughter of her parents, and was a girl 
of fourteen when she reached this State. 

Our subject settled upon the farm where he now 
lives in the same year that he married. He built a 
log house, which he occupied for a year, and then 
erected a very nice frame building. He was one 
of the first to locate in Clear Creek Township. 
Leaving his family in 1850, he struck out across 
the plains for California by way of Salt Lake 
City, and engaged in mining there for two years, 
when he returned home via Graytown to New 
York City. Mr. Dennis built a frame house in 
1840, and this is thought to be the lirst frame 
structure erected west of the Iowa River. The fam- 
ily certainly may be numbered among the very 
early settlers of Johnson County. When they ar- 
rived here they had but 176 in money, and of this 
$50 went for a pair of oxen, and *15 for a one-third 
interest in an old wagon and plow, with which 
thej' started to farming. 

Our subject now owns nine hundred and live 
acres of fine land in Johnson County, most of 
which has been improved by him. Atone time he 
owned a tract of twelve hundred acres, but dis- 
posed of a portion of it. Mr. and Mrs. Dennis are 
the parents of six children, four daughters and two 
sons: Mary, wife of the Rev. C. M. Howe, pastor of 
the New Mexico County Presbyterian Church; Jose- 
phine, wife of Milton Remley, whose sketch wil^ 
be found on another page of this Kkcoud, residents 
of Iowa City; Edwin K., who married Anna Tant- 
linger, of Clear Creek Township; Hattie, wife of 
Henry B. Heberling, living with our subject; and 
two, Wilber J. and Ada L., who died in infancy. 

Mr. Dennis is a Republican in politics, and his 
house was the polling place for many years, he 
furnishing dinners to voters. He kept a tavern 
at his house from 1850 to 1861, which was during 
that time a stage station. Our suliject is supposed 
to have been the lirst Town Clerk of Clear Creek 



522 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Township; he was Justice of tlie Peace for many 
years, a Township Trustee, and a member of the 
Board of Supervisors, in fact, he has held al- 
most every office in the township. He is not a 
member of any churcli, but is a good-hearted, gen- 
erous man, giving liberally to any worthy cause 
brouulit to his notice. 



^^^^,gC^ 



^^LENN McCRORY, our subject, is a very 
(If g— - |)opular young man residing on section 13, 
^^^4! Kast Lucas Township, .Johnson County, 
Iowa, with his mother and sister, on what is known 
as Virginia Grove F"arm. On this place he was born 
April 19, 1863, being the son of Hon. Samuel II. 
McCrory, a native of Virginia and one of the early 
settlers of Johnson Count}', coming here in 1837 
and locating where our subject now lives. The fa- 
ther built a log cabin, occupied it and lived upon 
the spot all his life, afterward replacing the humble 
house with a much more pretentious one. 

Samuel McCrory bought the land from the 
Government and changed it into a fertile gar- 
den. He was the first Postmaster in Johnson County 
and carried the mail from Muscatine to Iowa City 
in his hat. In those early days he was a Whig, but 
times and issues changing, he became a Democrat, 
and was elected to the Legislature from Johnson 
County and held many other offices. He was 
widely and favorably known and helped to lay out 
the road from Muscatine to Iowa City, and, all in 
all, was a magnificent type of the county and State 
makers, of whom Johnson County niay well be 
proud. This brave and typical man, after a busy 
life full of usefulness, died March 11, 1878. 

The mother of our subject, Elizabeth (McCloud) 
McCrory, born near Warsaw, Ohio, and reared 
there, came to Iowa City when a young lady. 
She was the mother of thirteen children, eleven 
of whom are living, namely: Elizabeth, wife of 
Lemuel Hunter, of Scott Township; John, of Law- 
rence, Kan.; Virginia, wife of L. II. Jackson, of 
Denver, Colo.; Esther, wife of George Hunter, of 



Scott Township; Georgie, wife of C. H. Lee, of 
Denver, Colo.; Charles R., of Ireton, Iowa; Carrie 
P., unmarried, and at home; George, of Atlanta, 
Iowa; Hortense, wife of J. II. Grubar, of St. Paul, 
Minn.; and Lutie, wife of Thomas Hitchcock, in 
the War Department, Washington, D. C. 

Our subject is of Welsh descent on the father's 
side, and the youngest of the children of his par- 
ents. He was born upon the place where he now 
lives, as were his twelve brothers and sisters, and 
he received his education in the schools of the dis- 
trict. The home farm contains two hundred and 
fifty acres, well improved and always well culti- 
vated. Our subject has full control of its manage- 
ment and can show an excellent stock of horses, 
cattle and sheep. lie is in full accord with the 
principles of the Democratic party, enjoys the con- 
fidence of its leaders, and is now holding the office 
of Township Trustee. Our subject is a member of 
Iowa City Lodge No. 4, A. F. & A. M., of Iowa 
I City. 



i#i#^ii-^"i^il^N^ 



TANLEY M. BARTLETT, our subject, is 
an old settler of Grinuell, Iowa, and his 
good fellowship and business affairs have 
given him a wide extended ac(iuaintance, 
and he is very popular wherever he is known. He 
has an enthusiastic admiration for that noble 
animal, the horse, and has one magnificent fast- 
stepper, one of the fastest to be found in many 
counties. The city of Bath, N. IL, is his birth- 
place, his birth having occurred December 4, 1836, 
his father being Stephen N. Bartlett. (See the 
biographical sketch of E. S. Bartlett, brother of our 
subject, for family history.) 

Our subject was the fourth of five children and 
passed his life in Bath until he was nearly nine- 
teen, when he came to Grinnell, in the spring of 
1855, coming by rail as far as Rock Island and 
by wagon the remainder of the journey. Here he 
bought eighty acres, one and one-half miles north 
of Grinnell, which he farmed for three or four 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



523 



years, aud then removed to Tama County. Iowa, 
near Montour, where lie purchased one hundred and 
twenty acres, which he farmed for two years. This 
lie sold out, .and then went into the livery business, 
liuilding the first lively barn erected in that place, 
and running it successfully for ten or twelve years. 
While here he served as Marshal and Constable, 
which offices brought him into a wide acquaintance 
with the people, and in 1875 he was appointed 
Deputy .Sheriff of the county, serving two years 
and having many thrilling experiences. Resigning 
this office, he was made a Claim Agent for the 
Iowa Central Railroad, with headquarters at Grin- 
nell, but his business took liiiu all along the line 
from Northwood to Ottumwa and Albia. He 
continued in the position two and a-half years, 
when, all the claims being adjusted, the office was 
abolished. He then entered the employ of his 
brother, E. S. Bartlett, in the retail meat business. 

In the year 1888, our subject started a meat- 
market on his own account on Broad Street, and 
was burned out in the following year. Undis- 
mayed by this calamity, lie promptly opened up in 
a shanty in the park, where he continued until he 
rebuilt on Fourth Avenue, at which place he stayed 
until .September, 1892. He has just retired for re- 
cuperation, having been a hard worker all his life. 
Mr. Bartlett has built a very substantial house on 
"West Street, which, like all that he dt)es, was well 
done, being a model of completeness. 

Our subject has always raised horses, for which 
business he has a strong liking. In partnership 
with Frank Child, he owns the splendid brown 
trotting stallion, "Silver Wilkes," with a record of 
"2:28, but showing a 2:20 gait. He was sired b}- 
"Adrian Wilkes," and he b3"'Geoige Wilkes." The 
horse has taken a number of premiums and is an ob- 
ject of admiration wherever he goes. Mr. Bartlett 
naturally takes great pride in this horse aud it is 
doubtful if he could be induced to part with the 
animal short of a very round sum of money, if at 
all. 

Mr. Bartlett was married in Grinnell, September 
23. 1858, to Miss .Jennie Grinnell, born in New 
Haven, Vt., and a daughter of Walter Grinnell. 
She is a cousin of the Hon. .1. B. Grinnell. Mr. 
and Mrs. Grinnell iiave one child, Klbert Walter, 



who resides in Grinnell. Elbert Walter married 
Miss Florence Spain, of Griunell. They have one 
child, George Stanley. Our subject is a member 
of the Congregational Church and takes much in- 
terest in the growth of that society at Grinnell. 
In politics, he is a Republican and throws all of 
his influence in with that party. He is active in the 
Agricultural Society of the county, and has been 
in charge of the horse and speed department, hav- 
ing started many of the races. In the Grinnell 
Driving Club he is a very active member and 
.starts all of the races. 



HILIP F. MURPHY, the subject of this 
sketch, is a well and favorably known far- 
mer of section 26, East Lucas Township, 
.lohnson County, Iowa. He was born near 
Belleville, Canada, February 3, 1851. His father, 
Patrick Murphy, a native of Ireland, emigrated to 
Canada when a young man, and after living there 
a number of years removed to .Johnson County, 
Iowa, where he died at the age of seventy-nine 
years. Maria (Lewis) Murphy, the mother of our 
subject, was a native of Ireland, born of English 
parents in 1819. She died in America in her sixty- 
third year. Our subject had no brothers and but 
one sister, who died when but one year old. He 
lived in his native place until tvvent3'-two years 
of age, and received a good education in the 
schools of his native town and in the Toronto 
Institute. Leaving his father in 1875, he went to 
Chicago, at which place he w.as employed in the pho- 
tograph business for a year. He then came to .John- 
son County, Iowa, buyitvg one hundred and sixt}' 
acres, being the same farm upon which he now re- 
sides, canying on general fanning. 

Mr. Mnr|)liy, while in no sense a politician, 
takes a great deal of interest in national and .State 
issues, joining with the Democrats, believing that 
tliat party best represents progress and reform. 
His religious views are fixed, he having been from 
birth a Catholic, the teachings of which church 



524 



POKTEAIT AND BTOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



have met the fullest endorsement of his mature 
years. He has always manifested a !ivel3' interest 
in local affairs and now fills the oftices of School 
Director, Road Supervisor and Assessor of the 
township. Our subject was married April 30, 1878, 
to Maggie Niger, a native of Johnson County, 
Iowa, born June 12, 1857. Mr. and Mrs. Murphy 
are the parents of six children, namely: Francis, 
John, Edward, Philip, Bertha and Charles, an in- 
teresting family of young people, of whom the 
parents may well be proud. Mr. Murphy is a man 
of excellent judgment and a cool head, whose 
counsel in political matters is always wise, and he 
IS fre(juently called upon in election times for 
guidance of the party which he espoused so warmly. 



>^^^i^rg^(e)i^i^-^ 



1'T^\01)NEY MARSH, a re[)resentative general 
i^if" farmer and successful stock-raiser of Ches- 
i *, ter Township, is widely known in Powe- 
shiek County as a man of business ability 
and enteri)rise, and was one of the chief promoters 
of the Farmers' Exchange Store at Grinnell, or- 
ganized in 1875, and, always a stockholder, has 
since the first year been one of the Executive 
Board of Directors. Although for nearly a quar- 
ter of a century a prominent citizen of Iowa, the 
early days of Mr. Marsh were passed in Cayuga 
County, N. Y., in which part of the Empire State 
he was born November 19, 1837, being the onl3' 
son of Thomas and Paulina (Brown) Marsh. By 
a former nianiage the father of our subject had 
eight children, all of whom lived to years of 
maturity. The paternal grandfather was a na- 
live of Vermont, but was of English descent, 
and passed the most of his life amid the Green 
Mountains of liis birthplace. Rodney Marsh was 
reared in his native .State, and there enjoyed the 
benefit of the excellent public schools of New 
York. A self-reliant and manly youth, he at- 
tained his majority well fitted by nature and train- 
ing to make his upward way in life. 

.lanuary '.), 1862, our subject was united in 



marriage with Miss Mary J., daughter of Joseph. 
Carver, of Cayuga County, N. Y., and a member 
of a family well and favorably known in the com- 
munity among whom they resided for many years. 
In 1864 Mr. Marsh enlisted in Company K, Third 
New Y''ork Light Artillery, and was engaged in 
the Army of the James, actively participating in 
the battles of that campaign. He was also pres- 
ent at the surrender of Richmond and Fredericks- 
burgh, and after more than a year of faithful and 
courageous service was mustered out at Rich- 
mond, in 1865, and afterward received his honor- 
able discharge at Syracuse, N. Y. Following the 
close of the war Mr. Marsh for some time de- 
voted. himself to the business of milling, but in 186;) 
came with his family to the West and located in 
Poweshiek County, Iowa, where he at first pur- 
chased a small farm near Chester Centre, but 
later sold there and moved to his i)resent home- 
stead, consisting of two hundred and forty finely 
cultivated acres, pleasantly located upon section 
17, and well improved with substantial and com- 
modious buildings, the entire farm presenting an 
appearance of general thrift and prosperity. 

The family of our subject and his estimable wife 
comprises five sons and daughters. Harlan J., the 
eldest-born, is* now located at Salt Lake Cit}', 
Utah. Delia, an accomplished young lady, is a 
teacher in the schools of Lamar, Colo., and is a 
graduate of the Grinnell High School. Delia, the 
second daughter, is also a graduate of the High 
School of Grinnell, and also completed a course 
of instruction in the Highland Park School of 
Des Moines. Lulu is a successful teacher of Powe- 
shiek County and an attendant at the State Nor- 
mal School at Cedar Falls, where she will finish 
her various studies, graduating in one year from 
the present writing, in the Class of '94. Lee, yet 
a young lad, is still at home. 

Mr. Marsh has until recently affiliated at all 
times with the Republican part3% but of late has 
been more of an independent, giving his vote to 
the best man for the place. He is a highly es- 
teemed member of Gordon Post No. 64, G. A. R., 
at Grinnell, and, a liberal spirited man, is ever 
ready to contribute to worthy social and benevo- 
lent enteri)rise, and not onlj' among his friends 



POETRAIT AND BIOGRAPHTCAL RECORD. 



527 



and neighbors of the past twenty-three years but 
tliroughout Poweshiek County is regarded with 
the respect and confidence due his sterling integ- 
rity of chaiacter and high attributes as a man and 
citizen. 



Wj^ILLIAM II. BABCOCK, an energetic and 
prosperous young agriculturist and promi- 
nent citizen of Madison Township, John- 
son County, Iowa, was born in his present locality 
upon November 5, 1866, and is the son of that 
honored pioneer settler, Orville G. Babcock, who, 
born May 10, 1822, in Springfield, Pa., made his 
home in the then far West in a very early day in 
the history of Iowa. The paternal grandparents, 
Joab and Mary Babcock, were dwellers in Penn- 
sylvania. Orville G. Babcock was a man of more 
than ordinary ability and possessed sterling integ- 
rity of character. He was in every sense of the 
word a self-made man, and acquired his education 
mainly by stud3'ing at night. Arriving at twenty- 
one years of age, he removed from Pennsylvania 
to Illinois, but in 1842 made his home in Johnson 
County, Iowa, and entered a tract of land upon 
section 32, Madison Township, where he built a 
log house and entered into the hard work of the 
pioneer farmer. Indians and wild game then 
abounded, and the father of our subject was among 
the first white settlers of his neighborhood, and 
afterwards aided in inducing the Indians to re- 
move to a greater distance from approaching civili- 
zation. 

The homestead of Father Babcock was pleas- 
antly located upon the Iowa River, and near the 
bank the little log house had been erected. In 
the summer the surroundings were pleasant, but 
in the long, cold winters the settlers experi- 
enced much suffering. Father Babcock once 
froze both feet while driving home some of his 
cattle which had stra3'ed aw.ay. For many years 

24 



living alone, he struggled against disappoint- 
ments and discouragements, and, a man of earnest 
resolution, overcame difficulties and won success. 
Arriving within the limits of Johnson County 
with only ten cents in money, but provided with 
an ox-team and a generous amount of provisions, 
he went steadily forward ira])roving his farm of 
two hundred and sixty acres, and in 1848 mar- 
ried Miss Julia Steele, of Indiana. Her parents 
had been among the early settlers of this [)art of 
Iowa, but did not live many years after locating 
in Johnson County. For almost half a century 
this brave and sturdy pioneer, Orville Babcock, 
resided upon the Babcock homestead, but upon 
March 17, 1891, after many years of usefulness, 
passed peacefully away, deeply mourned by the en- 
tire communities of Johnson County. Politically 
he was a Republican and, a leader in the councils of 
the local party, held various positions of trust, 
discharging with fidelity the duties of Assessor 
and Trustee of the township. He established the 
Chase Postoffice, and was the Postm.aster for six- 
teen years. 

Father Babcock was a devout member of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church, which was built upon 
his land, and was ever ready to assist in its work, 
and liberally aided in the promotion of benevo- 
lent enterprise. He and his good wife were the 
parents of fourteen children, thirteen of whom 
lived to maturity, and eleven are yet surviving. 
Our subject was reared upon a farm and received 
a primary education in the district schools, and 
from his earliest years has resided upon the old 
homestead. He married, August 9, 1889, Miss 
Alta Lcffingwell, of Davis County, Iowa, and a 
daughter of Cyrus and Cinderilla Lcffingwell, both 
natives of Ohio, widely known and highly re- 
spected. The paternal grandfather was a native 
of England, but emigrated to America while he 
was young and made his home in the Buckeye 
State. The parents of Mrs. Babcock settled in 
Davis County, Iowa, in 1866, and the father, sur- 
viving ten years, passed away in 1876. Mr. Lcff- 
ingwell was a resolute and intelligent man. He 
was a farmer, but in later life he engaged in teach- 
ing school. He bravelj' served three years during 
the Civil War, and was wounded at the battle of 



528 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRArHICAL RECORD. 



Mission Ridge, for eleven years carr3'ing a minie- 
ball in his leg. Promoted for gallant conduct 
upon the lield, he served as Second Lieutenant 
and was honorably' discharged from the service. 
A long-time member of tlie Methodist Episcopal 
Church, lie became a preacher of the Word a short 
time before his death. His wife is yet living. 
They were the parents of four children, of whom 
Mrs. Babcock, a bright and cultured lady, who suc- 
cessfully taught six years, was the eldest. Our 
subject and his attractive wife are valued mem- 
bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church and active 
in its social and benevolent work. Mr. Babcock 
is a Trustee of the church, and politically is a 
strong Republican. His time is mainly occupied 
in the management of the two hundred and sixty 
acres of the old homestead, but in all matters per- 
taining to the general good he Uikes an abiding 
interest, and has ever been a prominent factor in 
the advancement of local progress. Widely known 
throughout Johnson County, our subject enjoj's 
the regard of a host of old-time acquaintances, 
and is numbered among the progressive and pub- 
lic-spirited citizens of the State. 



W. STOVER. Among the live business 
men of Marengo may be mentioned M. W. 
Stover, who is a gentleman of energy, 
sagacity and thorough experience, as well 
as entire probity in his business relations. He has 
a wide acquaintance, is well known to capitalists 
and owners of property, and has built up an excel- 
lent clientage in the cit}' and vicinity. He carries 
on a real-estate, abstract, loan and investment busi- 
ness, and although it is extensive, he has found 
time to devote to other interests, and is Vice-Pres- 
ident of the Marengo Savings Bank. 

His birth occurred in Knox County, Ohio, Feb- 
ruary 19, 1842, his father, George Stover, having 
been born in the Shenandoah Valle}', Va., in 1808. 
His grandfather, Matthias Stover, was also born in 
Virginia, but was of German descent. He followed 



the calling of a miller for some years, and owned 
mills on the Shenandoah River, in Virginia. 
About 1820, he removed to Ohio, and at first de- 
voted his attention to milling and later to farm- 
ing, in Muskingum County. Iowa County, Iowa, 
became his home in 1858, and here he was called 
from life in 1860, at the age of ninety years. 

George Stover was one of seven children, and 
in his early manhood learned the cabinet-mak- 
er's trade, but soon gave it up to turn his atten- 
tion to agriculture. In the year 1856 he found his 
way to Iowa County, Iowa, where he had entered 
some land two years previously, and this laud 
he improved, and resided on it until he was 
called from this life in 1866. During the Civil 
AVar he was a strong Abolitionist, and politically 
was a Republican, and held the office of Justice of 
the Peace. He was a zealous Christian, upright and 
honorable in his walk through life, a deep thinker, 
and earnest and fearless in his espousal of what he 
considered right and proper. He organized one 
of the first Sunday-schools in Iowa County, and 
was very active in furthering educational enter- 
prises. His wife, Catherine Wimer, was born in 
New York in 1811, her parents being New Eng- 
land people. She died in 1887, iiaving become 
the mother of five sons and one daughter, of whom 
the subject of this sketch was next to the young- 
est. 

The early life of M. W. Stover was spent on a 
farm and in attending the common schools. He 
came to Iowa with his parents at the age of four- 
teen years, and for some time was an attendant at 
the pioneei schools of this county. In the fall of 
1859, he entered Western College, of Linn County, 
Iowa, where he remained until after the firing on 
Ft. Sumter, when he dropped his books to enlist 
in the service of his country, the following August 
becoming a member of Company K, Twenty- 
second Iowa Infantry. Tlie winter of 1862-63 was 
spent in Missouri, doing general duty and in 
watching the movements of Gen. Stirling Price. 
In March, 1863, he was sent South and was in the 
battles of Magnolia Hill, Port Gibson, Champion 
Hill, Edmond Station, Black River and the siege 
of Vicksburg. While making a charge in the rear 
of the latter place, May 22, 1863, he was struck by 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



529 



a iniuie-ball in the liglit arm, which so badly shat- 
tered it that amputation was fouud necessary, and 
the arm was taifen off a little below the shoulder. 
After a few weeks in the hospital he was sent to 
Gen. Rosecrans" headcjuarters at St. Louis, where 
he did provost duty until June 9, 1864, when he 
was honorably discharged. At Vicksburg he held 
the rank of Second Sergeant, and had charge of 
his company at the time he was wounded. 

He returned to his home in Iowa, and engaged 
in farming and shipping stock in summer, and. in 
teaching school m winter, until 1868, when he was 
elected County Recorder, and in the fall of that 
year located in Marengo, and assumed the duties of 
his position. He was twice re-elected to this position 
by his numerous Republican friends, and while fill- 
ing this position, he gradually drifted into the 
abstract of title, real-estate, loan and insurance 
business, and has continued the same up to the 
present. In this occupation he was associated with 
A. J. Morrison from 1875 to 1892, the firm name 
being Stover & Morrison. On the 1st of Decem- 
ber, 1892, the firm was dissolved bj' mutual con- 
sent, Mr. Morrison retiring, taking only the insur- 
ance business of the office, Mr. Stover retaining the 
real-estate, abstract, loan and investment. They had 
prepared, and Mr. Stover now owns, the only com- 
plete set of abstract books in Iowa County. Mr. 
Stover has always been active in advancing the 
best interests of Marengo, and is a warm patron of 
the public schools. He was a member of the School 
Board for fifteen years, and its President several 
years of this time. In 1876, seeing the need of a 
well-conducted place of amusement, he erected the 
opera house, a commodious and elegant brick build- 
ing nicely furnislied and fitted up, with a large, 
roomy stage, and which is a great credit to the 
town, as well as a source of profit and pleasure. 

Mr. Stover assisted in organizing the Marengo 
Savings Bank in 1880, since which time he has been 
Vice-President and one of its Directors. He owns 
large landed interests in the county and elsewhere 
in the State, and has a ranch of one thousand 
acres five miles from Algona, the county seat of 
Kossuth County, Iowa, which place is well im- 
proved and nicely stocked with horses and cattle. 
He has a beautiful residence in Marengo, and is 



in the enjoyment of a competency which has 
been gained by hard labor. He was married Feb- 
ruary 19, 1866, to Mi.ss Laura Ricord, daughter of 
Edward R. Ricord, the first settler of the count}', 
and who built the first house in Iowa County. 
Mrs. Stover was born in Green Township, Septem- 
ber 19, 1844, being the first white child born in 
the county. She was educated at the State Uni- 
versity of Iowa, and is a lady of culture and re- 
finement. 

Mrs. Stover's paternal great-grandfather was 
taken prisoner at the beginning of the Revolution- 
ary War, and for eight long years was held a pri- 
soner on board a Britisli man-of-war, enduring all 
the indignities and hardships heaped upon a so- 
called rebel prisoner rather than accept his liberty 
offered at a price which he thought all too dear, 
viz: taking the oath of allegiance to, and serving 
in the cause of King George. Her paternal grand- 
father was a soldier in the War of 1812, and dur- 
ing a long and useful life both as citizen and sol- 
dier was an earnest advocate of the principles 
which compose the foundation of this grand Re- 
public. 

Mrs. Stover's maternal grandfather served as a 
soldier during the eight years of the Revolution- 
ary War, and was once wounded, but, rapidly re- 
covering, was again in active service until the 
close of the war, when he assumed the yet untried 
duties of a citizen of this then new Republic, and 
until the close of his life, at the advanced age of 
eighty years, served his country as faithfully as a 
citizen as he had fought for it as a soldier. 

This family circle consisted of six children. Ed- 
ward L., born June 16, 1867, a graduate of the 
Marengo Higli School, student in literature, and a 
graduate of the law department of tlie State Uni- 
versity of Iowa, graduated in 1889, and is now a 
successful attorney of Watertown, S. Dak. Bruce II., 
born July 17, 1869, a graduate of the Marengo 
High School, student in the scientific, and later in 
the medical department of the State University, 
of Iowa, graduate of the Long Island Medical Col- 
lege, Brooklyn, N. Y., in the Class '91, is located at 
Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where he has a growing prac- 
tice. Albert M., born July 23, 1872, a graduate of 
the Marengo Iligii School, is now a student of the 



530 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



State University of Iowa. Roy W., born January 
16, 1877, is a student of the State University of 
Iowa. Ada L., born April 8, 1879, is now attend- 
ing the Iowa City Higli School. Ralph E., born 
June 3, 1882, died June 30, 1890. 

Mr. Stover is a Past Commander of Jolin Dil- 
lon Post G. A. R., and is President of the Iowa 
County Soldiers' and Sailors' Association. He 
and his wife are members of the Presbyterian 
Churoli, and she is a Past President of the Woman's 
Relief Corps of Marengo. 



"• ' ^- 



^^^ IIARLES R. CLARK, a very prominent and 
[l(^_ |)Opular member of the legal profession in 
^^ Poweshiek County, Iowa, is the subject of 
this sketch. The first record of the famih' in 
America linds them in Massachusetts, from which 
State the great-grandfather removed to New Hamp- 
shire, and in Windham, in that State, Robert Clark, 
the grandfather of our subject, was born. In time 
he grew to manhood and became one of the prom- 
inent business men of the town of Acworth, N. II., 
there managing saw and grist mills, also a store, 
and later he engaged in manufacturing at Acworth, 
his life ending in that town. Amos Clark, the fa- 
ther of our subject, was born in Acworth, and 
grew up under his father's roof, assisting him in his 
various enterprises, but later removed to Plymouth, 
in the same State, where he remained as long as he 
lived. He was a Captain in the New Hampshire 
State militia and lived to about the age of seventy- 
nine years. 

The mother of our subject bore the maiden 
name of Leura Hall. She was born in Windham 
County, Vt., a daughter of Justus Hall, a farmer 
and cabinet-maker of tliat county. Mrs. Clark 
died at the age of sixty-nine years, three of her 
five children surviving her. Our subject was born 
at Plymouth, N. II., on the 28th of December, 1842, 
and remained at home engaged in agricultural 
pursuits until he was seventeen years old. His 
primary education had been carefully attended to 



and at the above age he entered the academy at 
New Hampton, following a course there. Subse- 
quently he entered Kimball Union Academy, at 
Meriden, N. II., and was graduated from this in- 
stitution in 1863. 

After teaching several terms in New Hamp- 
shire and Massachusetts our suliject came West- 
ward and located at Janesville, Wis., but January 
1, 18G6, he became the principal of a school at Le 
Claire, Scott County, Iowa, remaining until the 
fall, wiien he came to Montezuma and became the 
principal of the public schools of this place and 
held that position for twelve years, only resigning 
his position to begin his practice at the Bar, hav- 
ing during these years prepared himself for this 
step. In April, 1878, he was admitted to the Iowa 
Bar, immediately forming a partnership with Judge 
W. R. Lewis, and continuing until 1881, when the 
latter was called to the Bench. Then our subject 
formed another partnership, this time with Thomas 
A. Cheshire, this continuing until 1887, at which 
time the latter removed to Des Moines and Mr. 
Clark has been alone, dealing in real estate as well 
as conducting a successful law practice. 

Every town and city has a few energetic, pro- 
gressive men within its borders, who can look 
ahead and see the advantages which will accrue 
from an outlay of means in the improvement and 
adornment of their sections. Among this class in 
Montezuma Mr. Clark has taken a very prominent 
position, he being one of the organizers by whom 
an electric light plant was secured for the city. In 
September, 1888, he assisted in organizing the 
electric light compan}' with a capital of *6,000, 
which has been enlarged from time to time until 
now the city has six hundred lights, and the effi- 
cient secretary of the company is our subject. 
Another important business enterprise in which our 
subject was much interested was the Vulcan Coal 
Company, which in 1881 opened and developed the 
What Cheer Mine, having headquarters at this 
place. 

Mr. Clark is one of the Directors of the Savings 
Bank of this city. Although his business cares 
are manjs the social side of the life of our subject 
is not neglected, he being a member of the Ancient 
Order of United Workmen of Iowa, in which or- 





f^. 



^c^X^-^Ayt^ ^CAiA^i^vaJ^ 



PORTRAIT AKD biographical RECORD. 



533 



ganization he has been a member of the committee 
on the laws of the -^tate Association for the past 
tliree years, and in tlie Iowa Legion of Honor has 
been a member of tlie executive or finance com- 
mittees since 1881, besides filling tiic local offices 
in all of the different lodges. 

The marriage of Mr. Clark took place in Daven- 
port, Iowa, in 1869, to Miss A. E. Townsley, a na- 
tive of Massachusetts, and a lady who was edu- 
cated in that State. One child has been born of 
this marriage, Charles W., who is now a student in 
the Iowa College, being a member of the sopho- 
more class. The politics of our subject is Repub- 
lican. His interest in church and Sunday-school 
work has made him well known to many of the 
earnest workers throughout the State. For twenty- 
two yeais he has been Superintendent of the 
Methodist Episcopal Sund.ay-school at Montezuma, 
Iowa. In his law office in the Centennial Block 
of the city of Montezuma may be found this 
pleasant, genial gentleman, and when he is met 
the visitor ma^' bo sure that in !iim he sees one of 
the most honest and best of the citizens of this 
section of the county. 



l^OBERT FURNAS, one of the pioneer settlers 
IHv '^^ ^^^ Territor3' of Iowa, an able, energetic 
ifc fl^ and enterprising citizen and successful ag- 
riculturist, has resided continuously within 
the borders of the State for forty -eight years, and 
ha.s during this length of time materially contrib- 
uted to the promotion of the interests of his home 
locality, Cono Township, Iowa County. Arriving 
in the then far West in the prime of manhood, he 
shared in the experiences of border life and has a 
store of most interesting and varied reminiscence 
connected with the earl}' settlement and rapid ad- 
vancement of Iowa from a sparsely settled district, 
populous with wild game, up to its present proud 
.ind triumphant .Statehood. Our subject is a na- 
tive of Ohio, and was born in Miami County May 
22, 1813. His paternal grandfather was an Eng- 



lishman, who, emigrating to South Carolina in Col- 
onial times, continued to make this latter State his 
home until his death. His son, William, the father 
of our subject, w.as born in South Carolina, but re- 
moving in 1804 to Miami County, Ohio, became 
one of the early pioneers of this part of the Buck- 
eye State. His farm was located in dense woods, 
which he energetically cleared away and devoted 
himself to the cultivation of the soil. During the 
War of 1812 he aided the soldiers' camp in western 
Ohio, and was ever a true and loyal citizen. 

Father Furnas died December 21, 1833, at fifty- 
eight 3'ears of .age, and i)0ssessing more than usual 
ability, courage and resolution, he was well fitted 
to cope with the hard work and privations of pion- 
eer life. He w.as a blacksmith by trade and found 
this knowledge most useful in the daily vicissitudes 
of frontier experiences. Reared a (Quaker, he was 
a man of religious convictions. He received the olli- 
cial position of Justice of the Peace and transacted 
the duties of his office to the great satisfaction of 
his friends for a period of seven years. Passing 
away in the strength of manhood and in the full 
vigor of his mental and i)liysical powers, his death 
was lamented .as a public loss by the entire com- 
munity, whose esteem he had long enjoyed. The 
mother, Rachel (Leslie) Furnas, surviving her hus- 
band man 3' years, died in 1847. She was a most 
excellent woman and a native of South Carolina. 
Father and Mother Furnas were the parents of 
eleven children, nine of whom lived to 3'ears of 
maturit}', three daughters and six sons, of whom 
our subject was the youngest, and now, with the 
exception of Mrs. Greenlee, of Belle Plaine, the 
only survivor of the merry brothers and sisters 
who once clustered about the family hearth, so 
man}' 3'ears ago. 

Our subject remained in tlie little old log house 
with his mother for eleven years after liis father's 
death, and farmed upon the P\irnas place. In 
boyhood he attended the subscription schools and 
improved himself as best he could. In 1845 Mr. 
Furnas journeyed to Iowa, and arriving in the 
fall spent the winter in Keokuk County. The fol- 
lowing spring he made his home in .Johnson 
County, locating about two miles from Iowa City, 
and there raised a crop. wIMi tlioaid of his brother- 



534 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



in-law. In the fall of 1846, our subject settled in 
Cono Township, where he entered one hundred 
and sixty acres of land upon section 1, township 
81, range 12. Mr. Furnas was among the very 
first settlers of this locality. He built a log cabin, 
surrounded by the Indians, who were camping all 
about him, and who in time became very friendly. 
His nearest white neighbors, except a few settlers 
near by, were twenty and thirtj' miles away, but 
every body was most sociable and warmly wel- 
comed the new comers in those early days. Iowa 
City and Cedar Rapids were the only towns 
within available reach and our subject had to go 
eighty miles for certain necessaries for many 
j'ears. Wild game and wolves were very abun- 
dant, and the hunter found ready use for his gun. 
The prairie land was broken with the patient ox- 
teams, and Mr. Furnas, in common with the other 
settlers, experienced hard work and privations, 
afterward rewarded with the prosperity of later 
years. 

Our subject was married .January 8, 1837, to 
Miss Mary J. Fowler, a daughter of a native North 
Carolinian, but an early resident of Indiana, in 
which State Mrs. Furnas was born. Later, the 
Fowler famil}', who were of English ancestry, re- 
moved to Iowa, making the journey thither with 
teams. Mrs. Mar}' (Fowler) Furnas died Novem- 
ber 10, 1884. She was a devoted Christian woman 
and a member of the Methodist Protestant Church. 
Six sons and daughters blessed the union of Mr. 
and Mrs. Furnas. Rebecca, the eldest, is deceased; 
Rachael became the wife of Aaron Lewis, who 
died at the siege of Yicksburgh; she lives in Mar- 
engo; William Madison is a farmer in Cono Town- 
ship; Elizabeth was married to Michael Montgom- 
ery, and lives in Sioux Cit}'; Phcebe A. is Mrs. 
John T. Kimball, and resides near Sioux Cit}'. 
John F. is located at P.uffalo Gap, in South Dakota. 
The brothers and sisters in their several homes are 
useful and intlueutial citizens and enjoy the esteem 
of all who know them. Our subject disposed of the 
land he originally located in Iowa, but now has 
sixty-five acres in this township, and owns one 
hundred and sixty acres in Sioux County, Iowa. 
Mr. Furnas has never aspired to political office but 
is a stalwart Republican. In early days a Whig. 



he cast his first vote in 1840 for Gen. W. H. 
Harrison. Honored and prosperous, our subject is 
now, in the evening of his days, receiving the rec- 
ompense of years of faithful industry, and may 
with satisf.action review tlie record of his well- 
spent life. 






^^n.MAN FOLSOM (deceased), the subject 
(|[ (_, of our sketch, was a prominent and highly 
■^JJ) esteemed attorney and extensive landholder 
of AVest Lucas Township, Johnson Count}', Iowa, 
whose death cast a shadow of gloom over the en- 
tire community. He was a native of New Hamp- 
shire and came to Iowa City at the age of twenty- 
three, at which place he dealt largely in" real es- 
tate and did a land-office business. Mr. Folsom was 
a gentleman of scholarly attainments, having re- 
ceived good primary instruction and having grad- 
uated from Dartmouth College. His logical mind 
seized truths with great clearness, and broad charity 
tempered his judgment of men. No man was 
more pronounced in political opinions than he, 
his faith in the Democratic party being rook- 
fastened, yet no man respected more those who 
honestly combatted his views. 

Our subject is the son of Winthrop Folsom, a 
native of New Hampshire, who came to Iowa in 
1851, being widely and favorably known at Iowa 
City and vicinity, and finally ending his days in the 
place last named. In his younger days he had 
followed blacksmithing, but had, in his later yeai'S, 
been extensively engaged in various businesses, be- 
ing a man of considerable means. Our subject 
owned at one time five hundred acres in the farm 
where his widow lives, beside many other farms, 
and other real estate in town. His death occurred 
July 15, 1872, and his remains, in agreement with 
his ante-mortem directions, were buried in the old 
cemetery at Iowa City. Mrs. Emily Folsom, his 
widow, was born at Hillsboro, Ohio, about October 
25, 1827 (the correct date being lost), her father. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



535 



Pleasant Arthur, being a native of Richmond, Va., 
as was also her mother, Agnes Tiiuberlake. Mr. 
and Mrs. Arthur were the parents of eleven 
children, six daughters and five sons, all of whom 
grew up to manhood and womanhood. 

Mrs. Folsom is the only one of the family who 
came to Johnson County who yet resides here, 
reaching here in her sixteenth year and attending 
the primitive schools of the county. She was 
married to Mr. Folsom in 1843, and is the mother 
of four children, James, Mary, Arthur and George, 
all unmarried and at home. She owns a line farm 
of throe hundred acres, which she began to manage 
some time before the death of her husband, and 
has had the charge of it ever since, directing her 
affairs with signal business tact and good judgment. 
Mrs. Folsom has hosts of friends, all of whom es- 
teem her highly- for her raan3' graces and virtues. 



' NTON LINDER, the subject of this sketch, 
is an old settler and a highly respected 
III citizen of Johnson County, being an ex- 
perienced farmer and stock-grower, own- 
ing a tine farm on section 34, East Lucas Town- 
ship, Iowa. He was born near Coin, Prussia, Au- 
gust 12, 1823, being the son of Anton Linder and 
Christian (Roth) Lintler, natives of the same 
place as the son. Thej' were the parents of nine 
children, six sons and three daughters, all of 
whom grew to maturity, married and reared fami- 
lies. The parents died in the Old Country, and 
Mr. Linder is the only one of the children now 
living, he being the youngest. 

Our subject was reared in his native place, 
where he received a good, practical education, 
and came to America in 1848, stopping in La Salle 
Count}', 111., where he worked by the month 
nearl}' four years. He came to Johnson County, 
Iowa, March 3, 1852, settling in Iowa City, and 
went to work as a carpenter, continuing at it for 
about a year, during which time he was married. 



July 4, 1852, to Catharine Heider, born in Prussia, 
June 27, 1832. She came to this country with 
her father in 1849, and settled at Iowa City the 
same j'ear as our subject. During the winter fol- 
lowing their marriage he chopped wood at forty 
cents a cord, and in the following spring settled 
upon a small farm of ten acres, in what is now ICast 
Lucas Township, his emploj'ment being to burn 
lime. In this occupation he got his start, he com- 
ing to Iowa a very poor man. 

Mr. Linder settled upon the farm where he now 
lives in 1855, living in a frame house 14x24, one 
storj' high. He then began the arduous work of 
clearing up and improving the land, not a fence 
post, even, being upon the place, or, in fact, 
scarcely anything except wild animals, but these 
were plentiful enough to be sure. His present sub- 
stantial and valuable residence was built in 1864, he 
himself making the brick, getting out and dressing 
the stone and burning the lime used in its con- 
struction, Ebenezcr Sangster doing the brick work 
and the plastering. The total cost of the house 
was 13,500, the lumber alone costing a little more 
than $900. 

Mr. and Mrs. Linder have had ten children, 
five sons and as many daughters, as follows: 
Anastasia, wife of Elmer Maxey, of Penn Town- 
ship; Carl J., Bertha E., ISIary F. and William J., 
all at home. Albert A., married and living in 
Penn Township; Otto, Katharine H. and Emma 
G., all at home; Leo F., died at the age of four 
years and ten months. The daughters are all school 
teachers and every one of them attended the pub- 
lic schools of Iowa City, Mary graduatmg from 
the nniversity. Mr. Linder has eighty-six acres in 
the home farm, on sections 3 and 4, and one hun- 
dred and eight^'-eight acres in Penn Township, 
making two hundred and seventy-four in all, with 
fine improvements, all made bj' himself. He has a 
lime kiln upon the farm, which he has worked for 
many years; he carries on general farming and 
stock-raising, and in the present winter has six men 
to chop wood for him, which he sells. There was 
but one fine house in the neighborhood when he first 
came, and the whole country' was covered with 
timber and brush. Mr. Linder has acquired a fine 
property, but all has been by the labor of his own 



536 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



hands, and he deserves great credit for his pluck 
and industry. He and his wife and children are 
members of the Catholic Church at Iowa City. In 
politics Mr. Linder is a Democrat, but does not 
take a very active part in elections, his large busi- 
ness taking up the greater portion of his time. 



^^EORGE ZENISHEK,who owns and lives on 
III ,— ^ his farm on section l,Big Grove Townshipi 
^^^jJiJ is a native of Bohemia and is very influen- 
tial among his own people in this locality. He is 
justly numbered among the enterprising and pro- 
gressive farmers of the countj", being pre-eminently 
a self-made man. His parents were Jacob and Annie 
Zenishek, who were likewise natives of Bohemia. 

The father was an educated man and for many 
years was a teacher. In 1854 he emigrated to 
America with his wife and four children, three 
daughters, who had previously married, remaining 
in their native land. Though he was past the me- 
ridian of life Mr. Zenishek's object in removing to 
the New World was truly commendable as, though 
he had sutticient property for his remaining years, 
he wished to give his younger children better ad- 
vantages and opportunities for succeeding in the 
battle of life. Therefore, sacrificing his own per- 
sonal inclinations to stay in the land of his birth, 
he came to the United States for the sole purpose 
of bettering his children's condition. He pur- 
cha,sed land in Cedar Township, Johnson County. 
Tlie country was quite new, and here the father 
devoted himself to improving his farm and giving 
his children good educational advantages. He was 
a representative and influential citizen, one whose 
manly worth was well known, though he was of a 
quiet and unostentatious disposition. 

Our subject is the younger of two sons, and one of 
the four children who came with their parents to 
America. His earl3' education was received in his 
native village, which he left when about twelve 
years old. The famil>- sailed from Hamburg to Que- 



bec, the voyage consuming four weeks. His school 
privileges in this county were limited, as his parents 
were poor and his services were needed in caring 
for the new farm. A log cabin was erected for the 
family, where they dwelt for many years. On 
reaching his majority our subject began farming 
for himself in Cedar Township, and in 1870 pur- 
chased his present farm on section 1, Big Grove 
Township, on which he has made valuable im- 
provements. 

In 1863, Mr. Zenishek and Miss Mary Smith, a 
native of Bohemia, were joined in matrimony. 
The lady came with her parents to America in 
1834. The death of both of her parents occurred 
in this county. Six daughters grace the union of 
our worthy subject and wife: Annie, Elizabeth, 
Emma, Rose, Amelia and Mary. Two sons are 
deceased, George and Frank. 

The farm of our subject comprises one hundred 
and eighty-three acres of choice land, on which he 
has a large and substantial residence and good 
barns. Starting empty-handed, he has rapidly risen 
to his present position of influence and has gained 
a sure income by his earnest efforts and industry. 
His father at the time of his death in 1870 had 
reached the allotted three-score and ten years. To 
him our subject feels truly indebted for giving 
him a start in the New World, which affords such 
vast opportunities for success, far beyond those of 
the older and more thickly populated countries. 



'^ OSEPH KOLDA, an able, energetic and en- 
terprising general farmer and stock-raiser, 
whose fine homestead of two hundred and 
ninety-six acres is pleasantly located on 
section 13, Big Grove Township, Johnson County, 
Iowa, is a public-spirited and upright citizen, 
widely known and highly esteemed. Our subject 
was born in the mountainous country of Bohemia, 
in southeastern Germany, October 15, 1837. His 
parents, honest, hard-working and industrious cit- 
izens, were Joseph and Anna Kolda, natives of 




RESIDENCE OF JOStPH KOLD A , SEC . 13 . BIG GROVE TP. JOHNSON CO. lA. 



■ff^/X 




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KloiuLMCL 01 GLO^iGL ZLl-li5HtK StC.I. BIG GROVE TP. JOH NSOM CO. ih 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



539 



Bohemia and there, reared to habits of thrifty labor, 
grew up to maturity. Marrying, they founded the 
home in which their son Joseph received a read}' 
welcome. He was tenderly cared for through help- 
less infancy, and in early boyhood enjoyed the 
privilege of daily instruction in the excellent 
schools of the Fatherland. At twelve ye.ars of age 
our subject began to engage in the labor of life, 
then leaving school and assisting his father in the 
daih' round of toil. He was the only son in the 
small family of three children, and as the daugh- 
ters were trained in the ways of the quiet Bohem- 
ian household, the son was instructed in agricul- 
tural duties upon the farm, which j-ielded but a 
meagre income. 

The parents, assured that America wiis the land 
of promise, with their famil}' and belongings 
finall}- embarked for the United States in 1855, and 
sailing from Bremen were five weeks and two days 
reaching the longed-for port of New York. Re- 
maining but a very brief time in the great metrop- 
olis of the Em])ire State, the emigrants were soon 
speeding Westward, and were not long in reaching 
their destination in Iowa. Father Kolda bought a 
farm in Cedar Township, Johnson Count}-, which 
was entirely unimproved, and energetically built 
his family a rude log house and ambitiously set 
about the cultivation of the unbroken prairie land. 
The mother died at sixty-five years of age in 1876, 
but the father, surviving until 1878, completed his 
seventj-'third year. They had both lived to wit- 
ness the rapid changes of more than a score of 
years, and enjoyed in their American home the 
prosperity their cheerful and unremitting indus- 
try had secured. In political affiliations the father 
was a strong Democrat and thoroughly appreciated 
the freedom of our republican institutions. The 
parents were born and bred in the Catholic faith 
and died blessed with the religious consolations of 
their church. 

Our subject was a 3-outh of seventeen years 
when he came to his Iowa home. He remained 
with his parents until he h.ad attained his major- 
ity, when he began farming on his own account in 
Cedar Township, subsequently removing to Big 
Grove Township. He bought the Pratt Farm in 
1890, one-half mile from Solon, and a most excel- 



lent piece of outside property. Mr. Kolda was 
married November 1, 1860, to Miss Jane Fiala, a 
native Bohemian, whose parents had early emi- 
grated to America. 

Our subject and his worthy wife are the parents 
of five children, John, Joseph, George, Mary and 
Anna, who have all enjoyed the excellent educa- 
tional advantages of their locality. The eldest 
son is a prominent business man of Solon and han- 
dles extensively agricultural implements. The 
second son is his father's assistant in the manage- 
ment of the valuable farm, and each son and 
daughter now worthily enjoys a position of useful- 
ness and influence. The handsome and commo- 
dious brick residence of the homestead, the well- 
built barns and outhouses, betoken progressive 
thrift and abundant prosperity. The family are 
Catholics in religious convictions, and politically 
both father and sons are sturdy Democrats. Having 
self-reliantl}' won his way upward, our subject is 
a prominent factor in local enterprises and takes 
rank among the leading and substantial citizens of 
Johnson C'ounty. 



(^^HOMAS TRANTER, a representative and 
lfj(f^<\ successful general agriculturist and stock- 
^^^ raiser of Oxford Township, Johnson County, 
Iowa, has held various important official positions 
with faithful ability, and ever discharging the 
duties of public and private life with upright 
effort, has worthily won the regard of his fellow- 
townsmen and is highly esteemed by all who know 
him. The line homestead of our subject, whose 
broad acres are all under a high state of cultivation, 
is pleasantly located upon section 10, and is known 
to a host of friends as the abode of hospitalit.v. 
Mr. Tranter was born in Herefordshire, England, 
December 28, 1850. His father, John Tranter, 
also a native-born Englishman, came to New York 
in 1856, and settled in Johnson County, Iowa, in 
1857, two miles south of Iowa Cit}', where he 
remained for five years. At the expiration of 



540 



PORTKAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



this time P\atlier Tranter journeyed to Utah, trav- 
eling with ox-teams, but, returning to Iowa at 
the end of twelve months, then located in Iowa 
City, where lie now resides. 

The mother of our subject, Harriet Schin, was a 
native of England, and after a life of usefulness 
passed away in 1890. She was a most estimable 
woman and the devoted mother of three children, 
one daughter and two sons. Thomas was the 
eldest of the family. James is a farmer of Crawford 
Count3\ Calista resides in Iowa City, and is a 
successful teacher. Our subject was reared in 
Iowa City and attended the excellent public 
schools of his home localitj', receiving a thorough 
and practical education. Attaining to manhood, 
Mr. Tranter was, upon December 25, 1869, united 
in marriage with Miss Martha Kepford, a native of 
Johnson County, and with his wife settled upon 
the liome farm, then unimproved and practically 
wild land. He soon after received employment in 
Close Oil Mill,where he continued actively engaged 
for a period of two years. Prior to his marriage 
he had been employed in the oil mill for ten years. 
All the cultivation and valuable improvements of 
the homestead are due entirely to the intelligent 
industry and continued application of our subject, 
who has been well rewarded by the bounteous 
harvest which annually makes abundant return 
for time and labor invested in the tilling of the 
soil. Nearlj' a hundred head of fine cattle, eighty 
head of an excellent breed of hogs, and fifteen 
grade horses are at present sheltered upon the 
two hundred and fortj' acres of the farm. Years 
ago our subject worked for Judge McCoUister for 
$12 per month, and since, with ambitious energy 
steadily winning his upward way, has gained a 
comfortable competence. Financiall}' prospered, 
Mr. Tranter has also been blessed by the gift of 
eight bright and promising ciiildren, Elma, Carrie, 
Hattie, Pearl, Aletha, Thomas, Margie and Vida, 
all of whom will enjoj- the advantages of an edu- 
cation and a practical training which will adapt 
them to self-reli.antly make their v/ny in the world. 
l\>litically our subject is a Republican, and as 
Township Trustee for three ye.ai's has materially 
aided in the promotion of local welfare and needed 
improvements. Occupying the position of School 



Director with ellicient fidelity, he has labored to ele- 
vate the standard of scholarship and instruction, 
and is a sincere friend to educational advancement, 
encouraging and sustaining his co-workers in the 
good cause. Mr. Tranter is fraternally' associated 
with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and, 
a charter member of the lodge in Oxford, has 
held the various offices of the order. Arriving 
within the borders of Johnson County a little lad, 
yet in earl}' childhood, our subject has been an eye- 
witness of the rapid growth and prosperity of his 
adopted country for a period of thirty-six years, 
and since attaining mature age has been an im- 
portant factor in the enterprises of his home 
localit}' and is justly numbered among the sub- 
stantial and public-spirited citizens, loyal and 
true to the best interests of the American nation. 



DONIRAM JUDSON BLAKELY is a prom- 
inent agriculturist and stock-breeder of 
Poweshiek Count}^, Iowa, and upon his 
large and productive farm, twomilessouth 
of Grinnell, successfully handles Merino sheep. 
Shorthorn cattle and Poland-China hogs. He is 
an enthusiast, not onl}' in breeding good animals, 
but in producing immense crops of grass and corn. 
He often raises one hundred bushels of corn to 
the acre from large fields. A man of rare execu- 
tive ability, Mr. Blakely has filled many important 
public positions, and, etficientlj' discharging each 
duty entrusted to his care, enjoys the continued 
confidence and high regard of the people of his 
county, and indeed of the State. 

Our subject is a native of Vermont and was born 
in Pawlet, Rutland County, in 1834. Reared upon 
a farm, his boyhood was occupied with plenty tif 
hard work, but the district school and reading and 
study upon winter evenings and rainy days gave 
him earlj' in life a fair education, and at eighteen 
j'ears of age he went across the line into New 
York and taught his first district school with fifty 
pupils. Paying his way with farm work and school 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



541 



teaching, he graduated at Union College, Schenec- 
tady, N. Y., in 1859. In the spring of 1861 he 
was admitted to the Bar at Albany, N. Y. He had 
practiced the jjrofession of the law but a siiort 
time in Port Henry, N. Y., wiien the breaking out 
of the war and the demands of the Government 
caused him to abandon his civil duties and cuter 
the service of his country. 

In August, 1862, Mr. Blakely enlisted in Com- 
pany B, Fourteenth Vermont Infantr}', and joined 
the Army of the Potomac. The Fourteenth, Fif- 
teentii and Sixteenth Vermont Regiments acted a 
prominent part in the great battle of Gettysburg. 
The brigade they constituted, under the command 
of Gen. Stauard, met, with others, on the third day 
the great onslaught of the rebel Gen. Picket's charge. 
Gen. Stanard fell wounded, but the brigade that 
charged on the Vermonters was utterly demol- 
ished, and their every battle flag captured. Mr. 
Blakely was First Lieutenant of his companj^, 
twentj'-flve per cent, of which were killed and 
wounded in the battle. The following night 
Lieut. Blakely was given a detachment of men 
from ever}' company in the regiment to clear the 
field of dead and wounded where the brigade had 
fought. For a short time after the battle he acted 
as Quartermaster of the brigade. At the conclusion 
of his term of service he was honorably discharged 
and returned to his old home in Vermont. 

At the close of the war lawyers were finding 
little to do and Mr. Blakelj' engaged in buying, 
breeding and shipping fine stock. He took sev- 
eral carloads of Vermont Merinos to Michigan. 
Prospeied in his ventures, he came to Grinnell in 
1867, where his principal business has been farm- 
ing and breeding of fine stock. He also built an 
elevator in Grinnell and shipped grain one year. 

Our subject was one of eight sons and daugh- 
ters born to Dan and Hannah (Edgerton) Blakely. 
A history of Pawlet published twenty-five 3'ears 
ago says of Dan Blakely, " He wasa public-spirited 
and influential citizen, and for many years took a 
leading part in the business and religious interests 
of the town." Fayette, the eldest brother, lately 
deceased, was a prominent and wealthy citizen of 
Rutland County. Almira married Hon. Curtis 
Reed, who in 1876 and 1877 was a member 



of the Vermont Legislature; they both died at 
Pawlet. Hiland Hall is a prosperous citizen of 
Proctor, Vt. Sheldon E. resides in San Francisco 
and is a wealthy real-estate man of the Pacific 
Coast. A. Judson is our subject. Collins is a drug- 
gist in Montpelier, Vt., and is High Priest of the 
Masonic fraternity of the Green Mountain State. 
Sheldon E. and Collins arc both graduates of Union 
College. Franklin, the youngest brother, owns 
and occupies the fine old homestead reclaimed from 
the forest by the Blakelys more than one hundred 
years ago. There with his wife and sister Mary 
he most hospitably entertains the many Blakelj's 
who are glad to visit the ancestral home. 

The paternal grandfather of our sul)ject, David 
Blakely, having bravely served in the War of the 
Revolution, married Phebe Hall, and came from 
Woodbury, Conn., to Pawlet, Vt., in 1782. The 
late Hon. Hiland Hall, of Bennington, Vt., many 
years in Congress and later Judge of the Supreme 
Court, and Governor of Vermont, was her nephew. 
Mr. Blakely 's maternal grandfather, Jacob Edger- 
ton, and his great-grandfather, Simeon Edgerton, 
also both served in the Revolutionary' War. The 
latter was a distinguished Captain from Norwich, 
Conn., born in 1732. He was at the capture of New 
London and the massacre of Ft. Griswold by 
Arnold. He came to Pawlet in 1782, became a 
member of the Legislature and was entrusted with 
many responsible offices. The same patriotic spirit 
was manifested b}' his numerous descendants, who 
served their country in the crisis from 1861 to 
1865. 

Jonathan Blakel}', the paternal great-grandfather, 
was a native of Woodbury, Conn., the Blakel}- fam- 
ily having been among the earliest colonists of New 
England, and originally descended from Scottish 
ancestry. Many of the Blakelys, first cousins of 
our subject, have been and are Congregational 
clergymen. Hon. R. Blakely, President of the 
Great Northwestern Transportation Co., of St. 
Paul, and who owns stage lines all through the 
Northwestern States and Territories, is a cousin of 
our subject, and is one of the many who have done 
honor and credit to the name of Blakely. 

Mr. Bl.akel}' was for many j'cars the efficient 
Secretary of the Grinnell School Board. He has 



542 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



been Secretary of tlie Iowa Sheep-Breeders' and 
Wool-Growers' Association since its organization. 
One year lie served as Special Agent of the Gen- 
cial Land OHice in the Black Hills region, but his 
affairs in Grinnell needing his attention, he re- 
signed his commission, though strongly urged by 
the Department to remain. 

In the spring of 1888, April 12, Mr. Blakely 
was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Sulser, 
a native of Switzerland, who was brought to Iowa 
by her parents when but two years of age. To 
them have been born three children, Mary La- 
vinia, A. Judson, Jr., and Margaret Columbia. 

An earnest reformer and a believer in co-opera- 
tion among the masses of wealth producers, Mr. 
Blakely was prominent in organizing theEarmers' 
Protective Association, or Grange Store, of Grin- 
nell, owned by one hundred stockholders, an in- 
stitution second to no other mercantile establish- 
ment in the county. He wrote its articles of in- 
corporation and has been its President many years. 
He was perhaps chiefly ilistrumental in organizing 
the Poweshiek County Earmers' Mutual Fire In- 
surance Co., which has how become a very large 
and popular company. He was for three years 
Secretary of the company and has for several years 
been its President. 

Politically, Mr. Blakely was formerly a Repub- 
lican, but believing the management of the finances 
of the nation b\- that party for several years after 
the war brought on the great financial revulsion 
of 1873 and subsequent years of depression, he 
joined the Greenback party. He was its can- 
didate for County Treasurer in 1879, polling 
over sixteen hundred votes. He is now promi- 
nent in the councils of the People's party and 
a member of the State Central Committee. At 
the State convention in 1890 he was nominated 
for State Treasurer. He was not at the conven- 
tion, and the following day was surprised to learn 
of his nomination. In 1892, contrary to his wishes, 
he was nominated for State Auditor. 

Mr. Blakely is a vigorous writer on political and 
agricultural topics, and also a forcible and elo- 
quent speaker. He has sometimes edited a de- 
partment in agricultural and stock journals. Since 
twenty years of age, Mr. Blakely has been a worths- 



member of the Congregational Church. He is a 
genuine philanthropist, and is in his business rela- 
tions, social and political life a sincere man, ear- 
nest, enterprising, and of sterling integrity of 
character. 



I LAS R. HUMPHREY, our subject, is in 
the full flush of manhood and employs his 
ripened energies in the pushing of his busi- 
ness of raising and bujdng and shipping 
stock, being located upon his fine farm on section 
36, Union Township, Johnson County, Iowa, he 
having been born in this county August 17, 1851. 
Mr. Humphrey is the son of Almon H. Humphrey, 
a native of Ohio, who came to Johnson County in 
1840, taking up land in Union Township, where 
our subject now lives. He improved the place with 
alog house and barn, and remained there until 18C9, 
when he removed to Butler, Mo., and engaged in 
farming until 1884, when he went to Baldwin, 
Kan., and there was in the banking business, as 
President of the Baldwin City Bank, at the time 
of his death, whi(;h occurred in his seventy-second 
year. He was a good business man and higlil}- 
esteemed by all who knew him. The father of the 
latter, Lemuel Humphrey, w.as a farmer of e.vperi- 
ence and an eminently respected citizen. 

The mother of our subject. Amy (Cuppy) Hum- 
phrey, was a native of Indiana, reared in Illinois, 
the daughter of Thomas Cuppy, who was a native 
of Germany. Her mother died in the seventieth 
year of her life. The father and mother of our 
subject were the parents of five children, three 
daughters and two sons, all of whom lived to ma- 
turity. On the father's side our subject is of 
Welsh descent and is the third child and second 
son of the family. Reared upon the home place^ 
he first went to school in the district and then 
attended the University at Iowa City. At the 
early .age of eighteen he took charge of his father's 
farm, he having gone to Missouri to live. 

Our subject, on the 21st of October, 1873, was 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



543 



united in mairiage with Fannie E. Connor, who 
was born in Orange County, N. Y., January 27, 
1853, she being the daugliter of O. P. Connor, a 
native of New York, and a stone mason by trade. 
Her mother, Mary E. (McNeal) Connor, also a 
native of New York, died at the age of fifty-two, 
in Iowa, wliile her father resides at St. Paul, Neb. 
Mrs. Humphrey is the youngest of four children 
and was but three years old when she accompanied 
her parents to Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. Humphrey are 
the parents of six children, three daughters and 
three sons, namely: 0. Burton, attending school in 
Iowa City; Jessie Amy, who died at the age of nine; 
Almon E., attending school at Iowa City; Chester 
S., Nellie and Bessie. Mr. Humphrey owns a fine 
farm of five hundred acres, all under fence and 
well cultivated, a part of which was taken up from 
the Government by his father. Our subject is an 
energetic faimer, a gentleman of superior intelli- 
gence, a thorough man of business and a kind 
neighbor and good friend. He is a member in 
good standing in the Presbyterian Church, and a 
very useful man in that bod}'. In politics he is a 
Republican, having done much valuable service in 
that party. His fellow-citizens have elected him 
Towns!ii|i Trustee and School Director, both of 
which positions he filled with great credit to him- 
self and to the good of the community. 



^ OHN P. JONES, our subject, is a business 
man of great shrewdness and a thoroughly 
practical and experienced farmer of West 
Lucas Township, Johnson County, Iowa, 
who was born in Soutli Wales, near Swansea, May 
16, 1845. His father, David Jones, a native of the 
same place, came to America in 1867, directly to 
Johnson Count}', Iowa. He located upon a farm 
in Union Township, where he remained for a time, 
and then went to Montgomery County, Iowa, and 
final!}' died in Johnson County at the age of sixty 
years, being widel}' known and highly respected. 
Our subject's mother, Sarah (Price) Jones, a native 



of the same i)lace as her husband and son, died in 
Johnson County at the age of seventy-six, and 
was buried by the side of her husband. They were 
the parents of eight children, three daughters and 
five sons, two of whom died in the Old Country, 
and one in Kansas. The remaining ones are living, 
namely: Richard P., a retired farmer, of Iowa 
City; John P., our subject; John M., of Guthrie 
County, Iowa; David R., of Guthrie County, 
Iowa; Gwen, wife of E. W. Edwards, of West Lu- 
cas Township; Sarah, wife of John E. Woods, of 
Red Oak, Montgomery County, Iowa. 

Our subject is the third child and the second 
son; he was reared in Wales and came with his par- 
ents to Johnson County, where he woikod in the 
milling business, having been a miller in the Old 
Country. He was married there in November, 
1866, to Mary Powell, the daughter of William 
and Margaret (Howells) Powell, natives of Wales, 
Mrs. Jones was born in Wales July 26, 1847, and 
was reared in her native place. Our subject lo- 
cated in Union Township in 1869 and remained 
there about twelve years; he then sold out and re- 
moved to the farm where he now lives. He and 
Mrs. Jones are the parents of eight children, six 
sons and two daughters, namely: Sarah, William, 
John (who died at the age of twenty, April 20, 
1892), Maggie, Daniel, Edward, Walter and Julius. 

Mr. Jones owns three farms, two in Union 
Township and one, upon which he lives, in West 
Lucas; the latter has fifty acres, and one of the 
others has eighty-seven and a-half acres with good 
house and barn, while the third has eighty-two 
acres, with good improvements and house and 
barn. He began the stock business in 1880, and 
now buys all over the county, and ships to Chicago, 
Cedar Rapids, Davenport and other points, and 
has been very successful. He rents out his farms 
in Union Township and runs the home place. At 
one time he was in the buggy business at Iowa 
City, but now gives all his tijne to buying and 
shipping stock and to his farm. In politics, Mr. 
Jones is a Republican and exerts considerable in- 
fluence in the part}' of his choice. He is a mem- 
ber of the Odd Fellows' lodge and also of the En- 
campment. When he first came to Johnson County 
he worked on the farm of Edward Tudor, but after-' 



544 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



ward worked for liiraself on a rented farm. He 
borrowed 81,200 from Mr. Tudor and paid this on 
a farm, which he improved and later sold at a 
profit. This he has continued to do to this day 
and very much of his money has been made in 
this way. Besides a natural aptitude for business, 
lie has industrious habits and tact for inana<^e- 
raent. 



i>^-<m=^-<- 



ARVEY S. SUTLH-'F. One of the oldest 
settlers and one who lias endured all of 
the peculiar experiences of pioneer life 
in the West and has literally carved his 
fortune from the thickly timbered wilderness of 
former days in Johnson County, is Mr. Sutliff of 
this sketch. His reminiscences of those past years 
we feel sure will prove of great interest to his 
many friends and neigiibors, among whom he 
ranks high as a man of reliable and worthy char- 
acteristics. He is now making his home on section 
10. Cedar Township. 

Some time in the seventeenth century the an- 
cestors of the Sutlifif family emigrated to America 
from JCngland. Our subject's grandfather, Samuel, 
was born April 9, 1765, in New York, and was in 
the Revolutionary army during the last year of the 
war. Two of his brothers served throughout that 
struggle for the independence of the Colonies. In 
1808 he emigrated to Ohio, settling on a farm in 
Trumbull County, where he cleared and improved 
a farm. He vvas a prominent man and a Deacon 
in liie Presbyterian Church. His death occurred 
in Trumbull County, Ohio. 

The father of our subject, Allen C, vvas the eld- 
est of six sons and was a native of New York 
State, his birth occurring on the 27tli of Febru- 
ary, 171)6. Three of his brothers were gradu- 
ates of Oberlin College and in after life became 
leading lawyeis. They are all now deceased. IMil- 
ton Sutliff was for two term on the Supreme 
Bench, making a very efficient Judge. Allen Sut- 
liff became a farmer and emigrated to Iowa in 
Septeml)er, 1838, taking up a claim on sections 10 



and 11, Cedar Township, Johnson County. The 
following year he removed his family to tiiis loca- 
tion, going by boat down the Ohio, then up the 
Mississippi to Port Byron, where he rented asmall 
farm, and in the following January (1839) brought 
his family to this county. There were only three 
or four families in what is now comprised within 
Johnson County, and it was no uncommon thing 
to havei several hundred Indians pass their log 
cabin during the day. Poweshiek, an old chief, 
was a frequent visitor at the cabin home. Deer, 
turkeys and other wild game, particularly wolves, 
were plentiful. The first winter Mr. Sutliff built 
a log cabin, which he corked up with hay and 
mud to keep out the cold, hewing a puncheon 
floor with his broad-axe and making shingles for 
the roof fully four feet long. This roof, so sub- 
stantially made, was as good as ever in 1864, when 
he sold the bulling to a neighbor, who still uses it 
for a stable. 

With an ox-team, the spring following his ar- 
rival in the township, he commenced breaking 
prairie and set to work with determination and 
energy to develop a farm from the wilderness. He 
often had to go to mill to a point only three miles 
from Dubuque, and as he was obliged to take his 
tuin he oftentimes would not get his grist for 
sevei-al days. His family had to pound corn into 
meal sometimes in case of necessity or when flour 
was scarce. His nearest postofflce was on the Mis- 
sissippi River where now stands the city of Mus- 
catine. He took part in the organization of the 
county and township, was Justice of the Peace, 
held a number of local offices, and was Major of a 
company of State militia in Ohio before his emi- 
gration to Iowa. He was a member of the United 
Brethren Church, in which faith he died November 
6, 1873, being then in his seventy-ninth year. In 
the winter of 1842 he needed salt for his stock, and 
as he could not obtain it nearer he took a wagon- 
load of hogs to Bloomington, now IMuscatine, 
where he arranged to exchange them for the com- 
modity of which he was in need. There was no 
market for live hogs at that time and he sold a 
great many for $1.25 per hundredweight; 

Our subject's mother, who bore the maiden 
name of Nancy Baldwin, was one of an old New 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



545 



England family. She was born March 18, 1804, 
in Watcrbury, Conn., and removed willi her par- 
ents to Ohio in 1812, locating in Trumbull County, 
where she was married January I), 1822. Forovei- 
half a century she was a faithful helpmate and 
companion to her husband, sharing his anxieties 
and labors. Her death occurred April 16, 1883. 
To herself and husband were born eleven children, 
five sons and six daughters, only three now living: 
our subject; Mary, wife of Enoch Williams, a 
farmer in Cedar Township; and Julia, wife of J. B. 
Swafford, who is also engaged in farming in this 
township. 

At the time when he removed to Iowa with his 
parents, Harvey S. was only a child of five years, 
his birth having occurred in TruniluiU County 
September 10, 1833. He therefore served an ap- 
prenticeship at pioneer life from his early days and 
could be informed on few points concerning its 
many experiences, pleasant or otherwise. He was 
early set to breaking ))rairie with ox-teams and 
was sent to the Mississippi River for provisions 
very often. On the trip he has camped out on 
the prairie many a night, being miles from the 
nearest farmhouse. When he was sixteen years 
old he went to Davenport with two loads of 
dressed pork and wheat, of which he disposed, tak- 
ing in ])ay two volumes of Dickens' works, which 
he sat up late at night to read and study. During 
his whole life he did not attend school more than 
twenty-one months, and did not go until he was 
over thirteen. For three months in the year he 
then attended a log schoolhouse with an old-fash- 
ioned fireplace, slab seats and puncheon floor. 
Having always been a reader and close observer, he 
has become more than ordinarily intelligent and 
well posted on all subjects. He is particularly fond 
of political economy and is an interesting conver- 
sationalist. 

On the Gth of January, 1855, Mr. Sutliff was 
united in marriage with Caroline E., daughter of 
Luther Langdou, who emigrated from (Jhio to this 
State in 1854. (See sketch of Mr. Langdon.; After 
his marriage, our subject began farming for him- 
self in Cedar Township, where he purchased land, 
which he improved and afterward sold. This he 
has done with a number of farms since that time. 



The old homestead was sold in 18G2 and ten years 
later it came into his possession, since which time 
he has made his home upon it. It comprised three 
hundred and fifty acres, a portion of whicli he has 
transferred to his son. He erected a good farm 
residence in 1890. 

The union of Mr. and Mrs. Sutliff has been 
graced by three children: Flora V., wife of A. B. 
Sargeant, who is engaged in farming in this town- 
ship; Minnie, now the wife of Prof. Charles Ma- 
gowan, who is Professor of Civil Engineering in 
the Iowa State University; and Harvey S.,who took 
for his bride Mary Douglass and is engaged in 
farming on a place adjoining the old homestead. 

Reared as an Abolitionist of the strongest type, 
Mr. Sutliff has been independent in politics since 
1870 until recently, when he joined the People's 
party. He is a member of the Knights of Labor 
and Farmers' Alliance, and in the past few years 
has frequently lectured before these organizations. 
No words of eulogy are needed to raise Mr. Sut- 
liff in the opinion of his friends and neighbors, 
who have known him from his boyhood, for he 
has ever displayed characteristics of integrity, fair 
dealing and honor which have endeared him to all. 



ES. I5ARTLETT, one of the oldest residents 
of Poweshiek County, Iowa, is the subject 
im—^- of the present sketch. His location here 
dates from 1854, when he found this section cov- 
ered with prairie grass and low brush, and he be- 
came one of the pioneers who assisted in bringing 
civilization thus far West. The first record that 
we have of the Bartlett family is when we find 
them coming from old England and settling in Mas- 
sachusetts; later they removed to Nevv Hampshire, 
where the grandfather of our subject was born and 
lived a quiet life, engaged in agricultural pur- 
suits. The father of our subject was born in the 
city of P>atli, N. IL, and was Hon. Stephen N. 
I'.artlell, a man who not only won the esteem of 



546 



POiJTRAIT AND BIOGEAPHICAL RECORD. 



his family and neiglibors, but their confidence to 
such a degree that they honored him with public 
office. 

Wliile still a resident of Bath, pursuing tlie life 
of a farmer, Stephen Bartlelt was made a Select- 
man of the city, and later was elected to a term in 
the Legislature of the State. In 1855 he removed 
with his family to the town of Grinnell, Iowa, his 
son, our subject, having come West in 1853. Mr. 
Bartlett, Sr., held the otlicc of Justice of the Peace 
in Iowa almost ail of his life, and in this State his 
useful and honored existence ended at the age of 
seventy-eight years. He superintended the erec- 
tion of the first building of the Grinnell Univer- 
sity, later the Iowa College, and lived to see many 
of the improvements in the city of his choice. 
When yet a young man he joined the Congrega- 
tional Church, and so exemplary was his life that 
he was elected a Deacon for life. 

The mother of our subject, wlio bore tlie maiden 
name of Theodosia Cluld, was a native of Bath,M. 
II., a daughter of Dudley, and a sister of .Jonathan 
Child, who were natives of Connecticut. Her life 
extended over eighty years and her death occurred 
in this city. Five children were born to Mr. and 
Mrs. Bartlett, Sr , four of whom are yet living, 
and of these our subject was the second-born. 
The others are. Prof. M. W., a graduate of Dart- 
moutii College, now holding the chair of English 
language and literature at Cedar Falls, in the Iowa 
State Normal School; S. M., residing in Grinnell; 
and Philomelia, now Mrs. P. M. Park. P>liza, who 
became Mrs. B. Howard, died in this city. Our 
subject was born in Bath, N. II., September 7, 
1832, and was there reared and sent to the public 
schools. 

After leaving school our subject taught for some 
time, but in 1853 he came West as far as Olivet, 
Mich., where he remained for one year, engaged in 
teaching in Willow Township. In the spring of 
1854 he went farther and remained until the fall 
in Milwaukee and Beaver Dam, Wis., and then 
came to this place. There then were only a few 
shanties where now are the beautiful residences 
and prosperous business houses and palatial scliool 
and public buildings. No railroads afforded com- 
munication with the outside world, there were no 



trees here, and all the lumber and produce had to 
be brought from Muscatine, Iowa. The journey 
from Beaver Dam required a trip by stage con- 
suming from Monday morning to Saturday night, 
as there were no railroads except between Galena 
and Dubuque. 

At the time of locating here, our subject entered 
eighty acres of land and engaged in farming in 
this township one mile south of the city, building 
a frame house in the city. When he first came 
here there were no plastered houses and few of 
the conveniences of life, while the luxuries were 
not to be thought of. Our subject continued to 
purchase land until he had one hundred and twenty 
acres, which he farmed until 1873, having lived 
upon the place for ten years. In 1873 he saw 
that a fine opening might be made in the thriving 
town in the meat business, hence he here began an 
occupation which has proved very profitable. The 
location of his market is on Fourth Avenue, where 
he has convenient quarters and does a large retail 
and wholesale business in meats and lard, and also 
does extensive packing. Upon a fifty-acre tract ad- 
joining the city he has his slaughter-house and his 
cold storage warehouse, which will accommodate 
thirty beeves. 

Mr. Bartlett owns other property — two hundred 
and eighty acres seven miles south of the city, 
where he feeds stock, keeping ninety cattle, one 
hundred and fifty sheep and fourteen horses, all 
of the best stock. He also owns two residences in 
the city, the one he occupies being on Broad 
.Street. He is interested in some of the best business 
plants in the city, being a charter member of the 
Mutual Building and Loan Association and a Di- 
rector in the same, and has held theotlice of Vice- 
President of it. His fellow-citizens have called 
upon him to serve as Alderman for one term, and 
he was one of the organizers of the Congregational 
Church at this place in the spring of 1855. For 
three terms he was Chairman of the Board of 
Trustees of that body, was a Deacon for one term, 
and is the only male member of the first board 
living. 

In 1855 our subject was married in Bath, N. H., 
to Miss Hannah Stevens, who was born in Mon- 
roe, N. II., and three children were born of this 



y»rp^^ 




^- 



^ U^^^^t^^l 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



549 



marriage: Arthur AV., A. R, a graduate of Iowa 
College, who resides here; Stella, also a graduate 
with the degree of A. B.; and Katie. lu 1863 our 
subject was appointed by Gov. Stone a Sergeant 
in the State militia in the Sugar Creek War, and 
assisted in the arrest of sixt}' of those who had 
organized to i-esist the draft. In his political opin- 
ions he is a Republican, and has always upheld 
the principles of the party through good as well 
as evil report. He is also a member of the Ancient 
Order of United Workmen, in which he is a bright 
and active worker. 



^\ QUIRK II. VANDERLIP, an honored and 
enterprising pioneer of Iowa, is undoubt- 
edly one of the best and most favorably 
known citizens of .Tohnsou County, and is 
the oldest Justice of the Peace in this part of the 
State, having discharged with efficiency the varied 
duties of this office for a period of seventeen 
years. He has also been a Notary Public for six 
years, and during the former administration of 
Cleveland was the popular and genial Postmaster 
of Oxford, of which nourishing town he became 
the first hotel-keeper, running the well-known Tre- 
mont House from early days almost continuously 
up to a late period, when he retired from a busi- 
ness in which he had given general satisfaction to 
the local and traveling public. Our subject was 
born ill Erie County, N. Y., January 25, 1838. 
His father, Truman Vanderlip, was an agricultur- 
ist of Vermont and, born in the year 1810, was the 
son of Swift S. Vanderlip, also a native of the 
Green Mountain State. Grandfather Vanderlip 
was of Dutch descent, and, a brave and resolute 
man, took an active part in the War of 1812. 

The mother of our subject, Caroline (Preston) 
Vanderlip, was born in the city of Worcester, 
Mass., in the year 1812. Her father, Z. Preston, 
was also a native of the old I>ay State, but later 
removed to New York. Father and Mother Xan- 

25 



derlip were blessed by the birth of seven chil- 
dren, five sons and two daughters, all of whom 
with one exception lived to maturity. Squire 
Vanderlip was the third child and the third son of 
the family and was reared upon hie father's farm 
until he was eighteen years of age, meantime re- 
ceiving a common-school education. He came to 
Johnson County in 1854, and two years after re- 
turned to New York,.but made his home perma- 
nently in Johnson County in 1858. During the 
latter year Mr. Vanderlip and Miss Mary E. Doty 
were united in marriage. Mrs. Vanderlip was the 
daughter of James Doty, a prominent citizen of 
Ohio, and Sheriff of Richland County for mmij 
years. Immediately after his marriage our subject 
and his estimable wife settled in Oxford Town- 
ship on a farm, where they remained about six 
years when Mr. Vanderlip, forsaking the pursuit 
of agriculture, opened the first hotel in the village 
of Oxford, and as the host of the Tremont House 
afforded accommodation to the general public con- 
tinuously with the exception of three years, when 
he engaged in the drug business in Tama City, 
Tama County, Iowa. 

An ardent Democrat and widely known as a 
man of sterling integrity of character and earnest 
purjxjse, our subject has occupied with able fidel- 
ity various important positions of trust, and first 
received public office as Assessor of Oxford Town- 
ship, continuing in the same with the universal ap- 
proval of his fellow-townsmen for six years. He 
was also Constable several years and, ever keenly 
alive to the interests of his home locality, rendered 
able assistance in behalf of local progress. As a 
Justice of the Peace he has been distinguished by 
unvarying impartiality, giving his decisions in full 
accordance with the law and evidence. In hand- 
ling the mails for four years he made no enemies 
but many friends, who fully appreciated his desire 
to conduct the business of the post-office with 
prompt dispatch. The beloved wife of Mr. Van- 
derlip passed away June 8, 1892, mourned by all 
who knew her. She was the mother of six chil- 
dren, all of whom are dead with the exception of 
one daughter, Ettie J., now the wife of R. J. Mil- 
ler, who succeeded our subject as the proprietor of 
the Tremont House. Fraternally, Mr. Vanderlip 



550 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAI'HICAL RECORD. 



Las been .-issociated with the Ancient Free & 
Accepte;! Masons for the i)ast ten years and is a 
valued member of that honored order. Finan- 
ciall}' inospcred he is now talving a well-earned 
rest from the active business of daily life, and, se- 
cure in the confidence and esteem of all bis old 
friends and neighbors, may with satisfaction re- 
view a career whose record of ofHcial usefulness is 
unstained h\ disliouest word or deed. 



Jr3 



\»^MORY WKSTCOTT, a representative and 
lU] well-known agriculturist, whose valuable 
I f- — -^ homestead of one hundred and seventy-four 
acres is located upon section 18, Scott Township, 
Johnson County, Iowa, has been a resident of this 
township for many years and is one of the able, 
energetic and patriotic citizens who by their brave 
and gallant conduct in the defense and preserva- 
tion of national existence won the proud right to 
wear the button of the Grand Army of the Repub- 
lic. Our subject is a native of the Empire State, 
and was born in Otsego County, July 22, 1838. 
His parents, Albert and Charlotte (Bissell) West- 
eott, were both of New P^ngland ancestry, but were 
themselves boin in New York State, removing 
thence to Johnson County in 18(50, where, having 
lived to a good old age, they peacefully passed 
away, honored by all who knew them. 

Our subject, reared and educated in Otsego 
County, continued to reside there until he jour- 
neyed to Johnson County in March, 1856. About 
ten years after his arrival in his Western home, 
Mr. Westcott was, upon September 27, 1866, united 
in marriage with Miss Eliza Bowen, daughter of 
Isaac Bowen, one of the most highly respected of 
the old pioneer settlers of Iowa, and who made his 
home in Scott Township, July 21, 1845. Mr. 
Bowen was a native of Ross County, Ohio, and his 
excellent wife, Mrs. Susan P. (Williams) Bowen, 
was born in Cincinnati. When Mr. Westcott first 
came to Johnson County, lie vvas employed for 



one and a-half years as a clerk, but in the fall of 
1858 engaged in farming, and, locating in Scott 
Township, continued the pursuit of agriculture 
until the fall of 1862, when in Se[)tember he en- 
listed in Compan}' F, Twenty-second Iowa Infan- 
try, and remained in constant duty until the close 
of the war. At all times surrounded by dangers, 
our subject actively participated in numerous bat- 
tles and skiimishes, and at Winchester was severely 
wounded in the right leg by a shell and thus rend- 
ered unfit for duty for six months. 

Mr. Westcott took part in the siege of Vicks- 
burg, and served courageously in the many fierce 
encounters of that memorable campaign. The war 
victoriously ended, the soldier again became a 
civilian and resuming his peaceful avocation as a 
tiller of the soil, settled down to tiie dail^- routine 
of agricultural duties. Since that time our subject 
has brought his large farm under a high state of 
cultivation and added many impioveinents and 
excellent buildings, replacing the old structures 
with new and otherwise increasing the value and 
attractiveness of the homestead. Mr. Westcott is 
not an active politician in the ordinary sense of 
the word, but he takes a deep interest in local and 
national affairs and has held various official posi- 
tions of trust in Scott Township. Our subject is 
especially devoted to the promotion of educational 
advancement, and to his earnest efforts in the be- 
half of the district schools a superior grade of 
scholarship and instruction is materially due. 

Five children have blessed the union of Mr. and 
Mrs. Albert Westcott. The four sons and only 
daughter are Arthur B., Emory D., Mortimer C, 
riortense E., and Roscoe E., who have each and all 
enjoyed the best possible facilities for a thorough 
education. Our subject is a valued member of 
Post No. 8, G. A. R., of Iowa City, and much 
enjoys the reunions of the old veterans who to- 
gether shared the perils and privations of 18G2, 
'63, '64 and '65, and who relate with ever-increas- 
ing interest the terrible scenes of prison-pen and 
narrow escapes from death. Mrs. Westcott, no 
less patriotic than her husband, and an estimable 
lad}' of excellent executive business abilit}', is con- 
nected with the Woman's Relief Corps, and aids 
efficiently in the good vvork of that beneficent or- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



551 



ganizatiou. Mr. and Mrs. Westcott are widely 
known as public-si)iriled and progressive people, 
ever ready to assist in wortli3' enterprise, and to- 
gether with their sons and daughter enjoy the 
liigh regard of a host of sincere friends and well- 
wishers. 



I^M ARY FLEMING CRAIG, the estimable 
I iW subject of this sketch, possesses a combi- 
I L^ nation of superior womanly virtues that 
* has endeared her to a large circle of ac- 

quaintance. She resides upon a fine farm on sec- 
tion 27, Clear Creek Township, Johnson County, 
Iowa, and is a native of Durham, England, born 
March 29, 1823, and the daughter of John Flem- 
ing, a native of England, and a farmer, who died 
when Mrs. Craig was about twelve years old. Her 
mother, Ann (Bee) Pleming, lived -in her native 
country, England, to the age of eighty, having 
been the mother of seven children, five sons and 
two daughters, our subject and two of her broth- 
ers being the sole survivors, the latter residing in 
England. 

Mrs. Craig grew up in lier native place, where 
she received a good common-school education. 
She was married in England, in 1848, to IVLathew 
Craig, a native of Durham, England, who was born 
August 15, 1823, and was a contractor and quarry- 
man in the Old Country. They lived in Durham 
four years, and then, in 1852,emigrated to America, 
settling in Pennsylvania, where Mr. Craig was for a 
sliort time a bookkeeper. They later made a short 
trii) to Missouri, and in 1855 came to Johnson 
County, Iowa, locating in Iowa City, and remaining 
there eight years, at wliieh place Mr. Craig was 
engaged with Mr. Hutchingsoii, now dead. They 
settled upon the farm where Mrs. Craig lives in 
1863, Mr. Craig carrying on the business of a 
farmer until his decease in 1870. He was a man 
of fine character, highly esteemed by all who knew 
him, and his jjolitical faith led him into the Re- 



publican party, with which he always worked and 
voted. He and Mrs. Ciaig were the parents of 
six children, four daughters and two sons. 

Edward, the eldest son of Mrs. Craig, married 
Sarah Watson, and lives in Clear Creek Township; 
Mary A. and John J. are at home; Susan died at 
the age of four; Sarah died in her twentieth year; 
and Ilannali, the wife of George Hamilton, living 
in Oxford Township, is the j'oungest. John J., 
the youngest son, was born in Lycoming County, 
Pa., September 3, 1855, and was but a few months 
old when he accompanied his parents to Iowa. He 
had the advantages of a first-rate education in the 
scliools of Iowa City, including the Academy. Mr. 
Craig owns one hundred and sixty acres, the old 
homestead, where lie, liis mother and sister reside. 
He also owns eighty acres in Madison Towushii), 
Mason County, making two hundred and forty 
acres in all. His success in farming and stock- 
raising has been very marked, he being a man of 
decidedly good judgment and ripe experience. Yet 
a young man, he has the promise before him of 
greatly adding to his property. Mr. Craig is pos- 
sessed of superior mental and moral (jualities, and 
has attached to himself a large circle of warm per- 
sonal friends. 



=^^f^p- 



TEPHEN H. DANIELS is one of the enter- 
prising and progressive agriculturists of 
Scott Township, his home being situated 
on section 8. He is a native of Morgan 
County, Ohio, where his birth occurred September 
7, 1857. He received common-school advantages 
and was reared to tlie life of a farmer from his 
boyhood days. About the year 1881 he went 
West with his mother and located in Nebraska, 
where, however, he remained for only six months. 
On his return he concluded to locate in Johnson 
County, where he has since been a resident. 

Mr. Daniels was united in marriage, October 25, 
1885, in Scott Townsliip, to Miss Emma Beard, 
who was born in Iowa City, June 4, 1855, and was 



b52 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



reared to womanhood in this county. She is a 
daughter of Jacob and Mary A. (Shohn) Beard, 
whose sketch appears on another page of this Rec- 
ord, and wlio are well-known and respected citi- 
zens of Johnson County, where they have resided 
many j'ears. To our worthy subject and his ami- 
able wife have been born two children, sons, who 
are named Melvin J. and I^arl R., and who are 
bright and intelligent little fellows, the (jride and 
joy of their parents' home. 

Mr. Daniels owns a farm of ninety acres, which 
is thoroughly improved and yields to him a 
goodly compensation in return for the care and 
cultivation he bestows ujion it. He is a man of 
integrity and honorable principles, making friends 
wherever he goes through his many worthy and 
manly qualities. He is industrious, economical 
and enterprising, and it is to his own well-directed 
efforts that his success in business is yearly becom- 
ing more and moie apparent. Mr. and Mrs. Dan- 
iels hold membership with the Seventh-Day Ad- 
ventists' denomination, are thoroughly earnest and 
consistent in their belief, and carry their prin- 
ciples into their every-day walkiu life. They have 
made many friends in this community, who hold 
them in the high regard which they so truly de- 
serve. Their home is the abode of hospitality and 
good cheer, the amiable wife of our subject hav- 
ing learned the rare tact of making her guests 
completely at home and thoroughly welcome. 



l|(_^ENRY UPMIER, a prominent and influ- 
jf)\, ential agriculturist, makes his home on sec- 
'^i^ tion 5, Big Grove Township, Johnson 
(^) County. He is a son of William and Fran- 
ces Upmier, who were natives of Germany and 
whose sketch will be found in that of William 
Upmier. Our subject was born in this township 
April 16, 1859, and passed his boyhood days on 
his father's farm. He attended the district schools 
during the winter months for a few years, but is 
largely self-educated. He lived at iiome and as- 



sisted his father, who was a wagon-maker by trade. 
At the age of seventeen he purchased an interest 
in a threshing-machine, following that for eight 
years. Two years after that investment he rented 
the old homestead, which he carried on until 1885, 
when his father's death occurred. Before he was 
twenty-one he became the owner of one hundred 
and sixty acres in Greene County, Iowa, which 
proi)crty he subsequently sold. After his father's 
death he [jurchased of the heirs all interest in the 
home farm on which he now resides. His farm is 
on the Iowa City and Cedar Rapids road, which is 
much traveled and which was the route of the old 
four-horse stage coach of his boyhood days. This 
made regular trips and was the princi[)al source 
of communication with the busier and more civil- 
ized part of the country. 

On the 2Gth of October, 1882, was performed a 
marriage ceremony which united the fortunes of 
Mr. Upmier and MissAntonie Kohl, who was born 
in Berlin, German^'. Her parents were Godfrey 
and Minnie Kohl, both "also natives of Berlin. 
The father was a miller and owned a large Hour 
mill on the outskirts of that city, where his death 
occurred in 1886. The following 3'ear the mother 
came to America and is now making her home 
with her daughter. Mrs. Upmier received a good 
German education, and by her union with oursub- 
ject has become the mother of two children, Harry 
and Brunhilda. 

For two years Mr. Upmier has been Justice of 
the Peace and has held various other local oflices 
of trust and honor. In local politics he has always 
taken an active part and is a stanch Democrat. 
Both he and his wife are members of the German 
Lutheran Church, in which he is one of the lead- 
ing offlcers. In 1882 he accompanied his father 
to Germany, where the latter went for his health. 
While there our subject visited several cities, in- 
cluding Berlin, Frankfort, Pottsdam and Hanover. 
He visited the King's palace and had the pleasure 
of seeing the late Emperor William. It was on 
this trip to the Old World that Mi'. Upmier met 
the lady who afterward became his wife. In 1887, 
in company with his wife, our subject again visited 
the Fatherland, having a very enjoyable visit 
among old friends and relatives. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



555 



As an agriculturist Mr. Lipmier has met witb sig- 
nal success, his waving fields of grain bringing to 
him a golden return for the care and culivation 
he h.as bestowed upon them. His farm comprises 
two hundred and fortj' acres, beside which he has 
twenty acres of timberland. He raises all kinds 
of live stock, making a specialty of several high 
grades of cattle, which he feeds for market. 



-^^ 



' SAAC MEYER.S, a prosperous and extensive 
agriculturist of Johnson County, Iowa, and the 
|i well-known, able and energetic President of 
the Northwestern Farmers' Mutual Fire Insurance 
Company, owns a homestead of four hundred 
acres, pleasantly located upon section 12, Penn 
Township. Our subject was born in York Countj', 
Pa., .September 26, 1841, and was the second of the 
family of five children born unto John and Sus- 
anna (Bair) Meyers, who were botji natives of the 
Quaker State, the father's birthplace having been 
Lancaster County. Abraham Me^-ers, tiie paternal 
grandfather, came to Johnson Countj' in 1848, and 
settled in Penn Township, wliere he died in 18G3. 
John Meyers, his son, and the father of our subject, 
died of cholera. May 7, 1849, while en route to 
Johnson County with his wife and family. 

Immediately after the sudden death of the 
husband and father, the widow went to Penn 
Township, and there remained until .September, 
when she returned with the children to her old 
home in Pennsylvania, and from there journeyed 
to Maryland, where she later married John Male- 
horn, and has since resided there continuouslj'. Our 
subject came with bis parents to Iowa in 1849, and 
returned with his mother to Pennsylvania, and 
there lived until he w.as eighteen years of age. He 
had in early boyhood enjoyed instruction in the 
district .schools of his home neighliorhood, and was 
-thoroughly trained in the duties of agriculture 
upon the Pennsylvania farm. There he resided un- 
til 1859, when, in the month of October, he returned 
to the West and made his home in Johnson County, 



his grandfather still surviving, being a citizen of 
Penn Township. Isaac Meyers was upon his ar- 
rival at first employed by the month for one year 
and a-lialf upon a f.arm, and then attended school 
for six months, at the expiration of which time he re- 
sponded to the call of the Government. He enlisted 
in August, 1861, in Corapan3- H, Second Iowa Cav- 
alry, and participated with patriotic braver^' in 
numerous hotly contested battles and close skir- 
mishes of the long campaign, and, constantl3' facing 
privations and danger, remained in active dut}' un- 
til Sei)tember, 1865, when he w.as mustered out of 
the service at Selma, Ala. 

During the fierce fight at Franklin, Tenn., Mr. 
Meyers was shot by a niinie-ball tlirough the thigh 
of his left leg, and was confined to the hospital 
about four months and a-lialf. The war ended, 
our subject returned to Joiinson County with im- 
paired health, and for nearly one ye.ar was unable 
to eng.age in any labor. The work of his life has 
been the tilling of the soil and stock-raising. His 
fine farm is under high cultivation, contains 
all modern implements of liusbandr>-, and is well 
improved with substantial and commodious build- 
ings. Mr. Meters was united in marriage in Penn 
Township, February 20, 1868, to Miss Sarah K. 
Moreland, daughter of the late John L. and Mary 
(Hetrick) Moreland. Mr. Moreland was born in 
Perry County, Pa., in 1809, the mother also being 
a native of the State, and born in Cumberland 
County. Mr. and Mrs. Moreland came to John- 
son Countj' from Perry County, Pa., in about 1844, 
and settled in Penn Township, whei'C the father 
died July 3, 1878. Mrs. Moreland survived till the 
15th of Januar}', 1893. They were tlie parents of 
four sons and two daughters, of whom Mrs. Meyers 
was the youngest. She w.as born in Penn Town- 
ship, Janu.ary 13, 1847, upon the old homestead 
which her father had entered from tlie Government, 
and where she still resides, surrounded by her 
family. 

Immediately following the marri.ige of Mi-. 
Meyers, he settled with his wife upon the old 
Mej-ers Farm, and in 1882 moved on the old 
Moreland Farm, wliich he li.as most profitably con- 
ducted ever since. Seven children have blessed 
the home of our subject and his estimable wife 



556 



PORTRAIT ANT) BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



with their bright presence. Mary E. is the eldest- 
born; Anna E. is the wife of Samuel A. Myers; 
Iowa E., John J., Isaac, Lewis and Sarah E. com- 
plete the list of brothers and sisters, who are widely 
known and general social favorites In their home 
community. Mrs. Meyers is a valued member of 
the Evangelical Church, and is activelj- interested 
in the extension and influence of the good work 
of that religious organization. She is a lady of 
broad intelligence and abl}' assists in the promo- 
tion of social and benevolent enterprise. Mr. 
Meyers has always been prominentl}- connected 
with local politics and has efflciently discharged 
the duties of various township oflices. He is a strong 
Republican, and a member of Iowa City Post 
No. 8, G. A. R. He is also a member of White 
Marble Lodge No. 2.S8, of North Liberty, and of 
Iowa City Chapter No. 2, Iowa Cit}'. During his 
many 3'ears' residence in Iowa our subject has been 
^an important factor in the promotion of local im- 
provement and has materiallj' aided in the upward 
progress of his portion of Johnson County. A de- 
cided man of excellent judgment, Mr. Meyers has 
wrought much of good in liehalf of public interests, 
and is highly regarded by a largo circle of friends 
and well-wishers. 



<j)f^BENEZER SANGSTER is a prominent 
rmer residing on section 17, in West 
Lucas Township, Johnson County, Iowa, 
upon a farm, part of which he purchased in 
1853. He is well known in the locality, and his 
husinefs career of many j'cars in Iowa City is I'e- 
membered, and its success attested, by the number 
of buildings still standing which were erected b}' 
his hands or under his guidance. He was born in 
London, England, March 8, 1823, a son of Rev. 
Archibald C. Sangster, also a native of England, 
born March 6, 1797. The latter was educated for 
the Episcopal Ciuirch. but decided to enter the 
Baptist denomination, and in that body was or- 
dained at Duinborough, En<rl.and, in 1822. He 



labored faithfully in his native country', his last 
charge being in the county' town of Shropshire. 
In 1832 with his family he started for America, 
landing in New York City on the 2d of May, and 
filling a pulpit there on the i8th. 

From New York Mr. Sangster removed to 
Orange County in the same State, preaching there; 
then to Pike Hollow in Allegany Countj', where 
lie had charge of a large congregation until about 
1837 or 1838, when he went to Ionia, Mich., being 
the first preacher to locate in that city. Some 
time later he bought and improved a farm there, 
and now a railroad station in the locality is named 
Sangster in his honor. He remained on this farm 
some thirty years, or until the death of his wife in 
1861, at which time he came to live with his son, 
remaining until his death, January 3, 1883. Mr. 
Sangster was well known and much esteemed, hav- 
ing ministered to his church until his old age. 
The maiden name of the mother of our subject 
was Charlotte Edwards. She was a native of Eng- 
land, of Welsh descent, and became the mother of 
seven children, four sons and three daughters, all 
of whom were born in England. 

All of the family came with the father of our 
subject to America in 1832, but only two of them 
are yet living, our subject and his sister Eliza, now 
the wife of George Wickware, a resident of San 
Francisco, Cal. Archibald C. died in Buffalo, N. 
Y.; Charles C, in Sioux City, Iowa, where he had 
started the first store in the town; Sarah, who had 
married John Floyd, died in San Francisco; Jabez 
died in San Francisco; and Hannah died in Ionia, 
Mich., at the age of eleven years. Our subject 
was about nine years of age when he landed in 
New York Citj'. His education had been looked 
after most carefully by his father himself, and he 
was later sent to a select school in Shrewsbury, 
P^ngland. Until he was sixteen years of age he 
remained with liis parents, but he was a lad of 
spirit and saw that the nest was too small for the 
growing brood, hence started out for himself. 

When our subject left home he was not very 
well equipped as to worldl}' possessions, as he had. 
not even a coat to his back, but this deficiency 
was soon remedied, as he speedily obtained work. 
During the summers he worked on tlie farm, and 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



557 



attended school in the winters, continuing thus 
until 1844, when he made his way to Iowa City, 
walking the whole distance from Muscatine. After 
reaching Iowa City he decided to learn a trade, 
that of mason and bricklayer best according with 
his taste. In a comparatively short time he had 
advanced far enough to Degin contracting, becom- 
ing one of the first in Iowa City, and assisted in 
making the little frontier town the large and 
flourishing city which now has become a source of 
pride to ever^' citizen of the State. For many 
years our subject continued his business in this 
line, during which time he built the Coralville 
Brick Mill, this being one of the largest works 
which he did in late years. The Catholic Church, 
located twentj'-three miles west of Iowa City, was 
his work, as were many other large buildings 
through tlio county. July 1, 1846, he enlisted in 
tlic Mexican War, and remained in the service 
about sixteen months as a non-commissioned offi- 
cer. 

Our subject bought his first eighty .acres of land 
at the same place where lie now resides in 185.3, 
building his barn in 1859 and his house the fol- 
lowing year, plastering and finishing the same in 
1861, when the family occupied it. Since that 
time our subject has continued adding to his pos- 
sessions until now he is the owner of two hundred 
and twenty acres of fine land. All of the im- 
provements, even the trees, have been placed here 
by him, and though he has labored hard, he has 
been rewarded handsomely in great yields of 
grain and in the comfort of a beautiful home. He 
was married December 25, 1849, to Miss Delilah 
.Tohnson, a native of Hopkinsville, Warren Coun- 
ty, Ohio, and a daughter of Joseph Johnson, a 
son of Judge Johnson, of Hopkinsville. Slie died 
March 29, 1890, having been the mother of six 
children, as follows: Flora, deceased; Ada, the wife 
of Joseph Kennard, of Fr^town, Johnson Coun- 
ty, Iowa; Frank, wlio died October 20, 1892; Fred, 
residing at home with his father; Ebb, a merchant 
in Tiffin, Johnson County, Iowa; and Ilerbeit, the 
3'oungest. Fred married Matilda Kost, and has 
one daughter, Celia. Mr. Sangster is a Free 
Trade Democrat, from his boyhood iiaving activelj' 
espoused the cause of Democracj'. He was one of 



the first City Councilmen in the city and the first 
Marshal. At one t4me our subject was connected 
with the Odd Fellows. Although not connected 
with any religious denomination Iiy memberslii[), 
he is a moral man, with liberal sentiments and in 
favor of every movement for good. His years 
have left some traces, but in many ways he is well 
preserved, being able to read without the assist- 
ance of glasses. Our subject w.as the first man in 
this section of the State to introduce the Butler 
Count3- (Ohio) hogs known as the Poland-China. 



-^^^l 



[t^yVfr^'^A]/^ 



||*s^^ 



(I7_^ENRY F. BIRD, owns and o|)erates a desir- 
W]Wj fible farm on section 14, I'lc.asant Valley 
'^^ Township, Johnson County. Though for 
(^) the past fifteen years he has devoted him- 
self exclusively to farming, ho learned the carpen- 
ter's trade in youth, and soon after the great fire 
in Chicago found ample emploj'ment there at ex- 
ceptionally good wages. He remained in that city 
for about a j'car and a-half, and then located in 
Iowa City, where he engaged in contracting .and 
building. After his arrival in liiis neighliorhood 
he worked from time to time at his trade and has 
erected many houses in the vicinity of his home. 

Mr. Bird is a native of McHenry County, 111., 
where his birth occurred in 1855. He is the fifth 
in order of birth in a family of eight children, 
whose parents were David and Martha (Ryder) 
Bird, both natives of Virginia. The family origi- 
nally emigrated from Scotland, settling in llie 
Old Dominion, where tliey largely followed agri- 
cultural pursuits. The record of liis brothers and 
sisters is as follows: Stewart, the eldest, is a resi- 
dent of Muscatine, and during the late war was in 
the Eighth Illinois Cavalry; William, who also 
was in the army, was wounded, and died from the 
effects of his injuries afterward; Lewis died in 
Missouri, leaving two children; Olive became the 
wife of John E. Ja3'ne, of Iowa City; Myron and 
Mary are both deceased; and George is a resident 
of Muscatine. The early 3'ears of our subject 



558 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



were passed in the usual work and play of farmer 
lads and in obtaining an education. On reacliing 
man's estate lie left the parental roof and worked 
for a short time in Iowa, from whicii State he 
went to Chicago in 1871, as before mentioned. 

In 1880 Mr. Bird was married at the home of tlie 
bride's parents to Miss Ella, daugliter of Robert Mc- 
Collister. Four children have graced tlieir union: 
Carl, Mary, Nellie and Willis. Since his marriage Mr. 
Bird lias devoted his time to farming and is now 
the owner of a tract of one hundred and sixty-three 
acres, which is conducted in a thrifty and skillful 
manner. He is also quite interested in raising live- 
stock, keeping a large number of cattle on his 
farm. He has developed sagacity and correct 
business methods as applied to farming, and has 
met with marked success in his efforts in that di- 
rection. From time to time, as his finances in- 
crease, he is constantly extending the boundaries 
of his farm and making valuable improvements 
upon it. 

In 1891 Mr. Bird was appointed Trustee of the 
Township in which he makes his home, and in 
18<)'2 was elected to the same ollice and has proven 
himself to be a trustworthy and thoroughly capa- 
ble official. In regard to politics he is a stanch 
Democrat and niucli interested in the success of 
Ills party. By his ui)right walk in life and his 
manner of fair dealing with his fellow-men, Mr. 
Bird has justly won the confidence and high re- 
spect of all. Mrs. Bird is a member of the Meth- 
odist Episcoixil CI HI roll. 



"5-=^^>-^^<^=^- 



\lp\\ OBERT DAVIS, our subject, a very pleas- 
jj.gjf ant and agreeable gentleman, an old set- 
tler and a skilled farmer, residing on sec- 
^^ tion 27, Union Township, Johnson County, 
Iowa, came to Johnson County in 1856. He is a 
native of Delaware County, born within four miles 
of the village of Delaware, Ohio, February 9, 
1836, and the son of John Davis, a native of Wales, 
who came to America when a 3-oung man. The 



mother of our subject, Margaret (Thomas) Davis, 
a native of Wales, came to America when a young 
lady and married Mr. Davis in Delaware County, 
Ohio, 'fllie pair after marriage located upon a 
farm in the same county, where they resided until 
their deaths, the father dj'ing at the age of twen- 
ty-five, and the mother living until July 27, 1875, 
she having been born February 1, 1809. Thej' 
were the parents of two children, twins: William, 
of Delaware County, Ohio, and our subject. 

Our subject was but three years of age when his 
father died, a poor man. He remained with his 
mother until he was fifteen and then started out for 
himself, working bj' the month. All the school- 
ing he had was what he could pick up himself, and 
at the age of twenty-one he was unable to read. 
He came to Johnson County at the age of twenty- 
one and worked on a farm by the month for five 
years for a Mr. Harris. The first land he bought 
was a tract of forty acres of wild land in Union 
Township. He was married March 5, 1862, to 
Margaret Thomas, who was born in Cardiganshire, 
South Wales, September 4, 1836. She was reared 
in that place and came with her parents to Johnson 
County at the age of twenty years. 

Mr. Davis immediately after his marriage lo- 
cated upon the forty acres on section 15, in Union 
Township, which he improved and upon which he 
lived until 1881, adding to it until he had two 
hundred and fortj'^ acres. Tliis he sold in 1881 and 
bought his present place, where he now lias three 
hundred and twenty-three acres. When he came to 
Johnson County he had but seventy-five cents, but 
industry and perseverance have given him a fine 
property. He and his wife were the parents of 
nine children, seven daughters and two sons, 
namely: Margaret A., wife of John Griffith, of 
Union Township; Mary J., deceased; John M., de- 
ceased; Elizabeth, deceased; Sarah, living at home, 
who attended the academy at Iowa City and is a 
teacher; Lydia, attending the academy' at Iowa 
City; William, Esther and Martha at home and 
attending the district school. 

In politics our subject is a Republican, taking 
much interest in the election campaigns as thej^ 
come and go. He is an Elder in the Presbyterian 
Church and a most useful member in that bodj'. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



561 



The confidence of the people in Mr. Davis is 
shown in the fact that he h.as been elected Town- 
ship Trustee and School Director. His farm is 
one of the finest in the county, his business 
being that of general farming and stock-rais- 
ing, a running stream of water through the farm 
making it very desirable for the latter purpose. 
He is highly esteemed and is regarded as one of 
the best farmers in .Johnson County. 



TRAWDER DEVAULT, our subject, is an 
extensive farmer and prominent old set- 
tler, who resides on section 18, Big Grove 
Township, Johnson County. He is one of 
the few living early pioneers of Johnson County, 
with whose history and progress since the early 
da3'S he has been prominently identified. He is of 
German descent, his ancestors having emigrated 
from the Fatherland during tlie last century. His 
grandfather was an earl3' settler in Ross County, 
Ohio. His father, Jasper Devault, was a cripple, 
on account of which he was only able to do cer- 
tain kinds of work. When on a trip to Virginia 
with a drove of hogs he was taken seriously ill 
and died while still in the prime of life. His wife 
before her marriage was Miss Sarah McKelva. She 
was of Irish descent, her father having emigrated 
to America from the Emerald Isle at an early day. 
Mrs. Devault died in Kosciusko County, Ind., at 
the age of eighty-two j'ears. Of her six children, 
of whom our subject is the third in order of birtli, 
five are now living. 

Strawder Devault w.as reared to farm life and 
received but limited school advantages, as the 
nearest school was usually- at a distance of two or 
three miles. The buildings were constructed of 
logs, while the floors and benches were made of 
rough slabs. About 182G, after his father's death, 
he removed with his mother and her famil}' to 
Marion County, Ohio, where thej' resided near 
Sandusky for three years. From there they re- 
moved to Indiana, settling in Kosciusco County, 



where our subject remained for some years. In 
October, 1839, he, in company with a brother, left 
the Hoosier State for Iowa with a team. They 
prospected in Johnson County upon their arrival 
in this section of the country and there concluded 
to settle. The Government land was not then on 
the market, but Mr. Devault purchased a claim of 
eighty acres of land in Big Grove Township on 
section 18. There were but few settlers in the 
county at that time, wild game and Indians being 
much more plentiful. That same fall he returned 
to Indiana, walking the entire distance. On the 
way he passed through Chicago, then a small vil- 
lage, but little belter than a swamp, where corner 
lots were offered him for $15 and P20. In the 
spring of the following j^ear he returned to Iowa 
with an ox-team, taking up his abode on the claim 
he had purchased on his former trip. He built a 
log house and lived alone for some time. His 
nearest neighbors were many miles distant, and to 
market his grain and produce he was obliged to go 
to Muscatine or Dubuque. He received visits 
from the red man quite as frequently as from his 
pale-faced neighbors, and altogether led a typical 
pioneer life. When he needed meat he would kill 
a deer or a turkey, oftentimes the latter without 
leaving his cabin door. 

In July, 1848, Mr. Devault married Hannah 
Stilles, whose parents vvere earl}- settlers in the 
Hawkeye State. For thirty years she was a faith- 
ful companion and helpmate to him in his life's 
pilgrimage. They had six children, four sons and 
two daughters, who were called as follows: Jasper 
N., Ellen, Stephen, La F.ayette, Seneth and David. 
The devoted wife and mother was called from this 
life June 12, 1881. 

In 1850 Mr. Devault joined a company crossing 
the plains to California, the journey taking four 
months. He arrived in the Sunset State in Au- 
gust and while there, a period of nearly three 
years, he engaged in various occupations — mining, 
teaming and farming. Unfortunately, he was at 
that time in poor health, otherwise he would prob- 
ably have been more successful in his business un- 
dertakings tium he rcall}' was. He purchased six 
cows, selling milk in the mining camps at thirtj'- 
five cents a quart, which thus enabled him to real- 



562 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



ize as high as $100 per week. He returned to 
Iowa by way of the Isthmus of Panama. 

.Since his return our subject has devoted liis en- 
tire time to tilling the soil. He owns seven hun- 
dred and forty acres of well-improved land and 
has always raised consider.able live-stock. It is 
due to his own unassisted efforts that he is to-daj- 
one of the wealthy farmers of this region, as upon 
his arrival in this county his capital consisted of 
tliree yoke of oxen and flO in cash. About the year 
1843, when the Mormons had been driven from 
Illinois, they came into Iowa on their way West. 
On account of the cold winter, many of tlie older 
and feebler members of the colony were left be- 
hind, who, on account of the feeling against them, 
were allowed to suffer much from hunger and 
cold. Mr. Devanlt, with a few others of this 
county, including Maj. McCollister, then Sheriff, 
made a trip up Iowa River, where they did much 
toward relieving the starving people. Some were 
brought back and cared for until able to go on. 
Thus it can be seen by this little incident alone, 
that Mr. Devault has ever been actuated by mo- 
tives of Immanity and benevolence toward all. 



y 



(^J^HOMAS GRAHAM, an honored veteran of 
((((^^ the Civil War, and an energetic and pros- 
V^i^'' perous agriculturist of .lefferson Township, 
Johnson County, Iowa, has held during this thirty- 
eight years of residence in this locality many po- 
sitions of oflicial trust, and, ever discharging their 
duties with able fidelity, has won the esteem and 
high regard of his fellow-townsmen. Our subject 
was born in Washington County, Md., August 13, 
1817, and was the son of Samuel Graham, a native 
of Londonderr}', Ireland, who was born in 1782. 
The paternal ancestors were Scotchmen, but Grand- 
father Graham had made his home in the Emerald 
Isle a short time previous to the birth of his son 
Samuel, and eleven years after, in 1793, emigrated 
with his family to America, settling in AVashins;- 



ton County, Md. He was a blacksmith bj' trade, 
and being an energetic and industrious man pros- 
pered in his new home. He died in 1804, near 
Loudon, Pa. He and his family came over in the brig 
"Cunningham," which was captured liy a French 
privateer. He lost everything he had, some $2,500 
in gold. The father of our subject was a painter, 
and after a time removed to Virginia, where he 
remained a few years, and then journeyed to Ed- 
gar County, 111., dying in Paris at eighty-one 
years of age. He lived in Baltimore during the 
War of 1812, and belonged to the minute-men. 
In religious faith, he was a Presbyterian, and. an 
upright man, he was respected by all who knew him. 
The mother of our subject was Ann (McDonald) 
Graham, a most excellent woman, of Scotch de- 
scent, who, after a life of busy usefulness, passed 
away in 1849. She was the mother of seven chil- 
dren, five of whom are yet living. Our subject 
was the second child of the family, and was reared 
upon a farm, attending the subscription schools of 
that early day. He lived at home with his parents 
until he was thirty-three years of age, and was the 
only one who remained with his father and mother. 
Mr. Graham was married in 1844, to Miss Mary 
Troup, a native of Washington County, Md., and 
born in 1827. In 1847 our subject and his excel- 
lent wife made their home upon a farm in Virginia, 
where the husband followed the pursuit of agri- 
culture. In 1855 they journeyed to .Johnson 
County, Iowa, and purchased land in Jefferson 
Township. Upon the breaking out of the Civil 
War, Thomas Graham enlisted, October 2, 1861, in 
Company F, Fourteenth Iowa Infantry, and. for- 
warded with the regiment to the front, he actively 
participated in the battles of Ft. Donelson and 
Sliiloh, being taken prisoner during the latter en- 
gagement, and was held for two months in Memphis, 
(Tcnn.), Mobile, Cahoba (Ala.) and Macon (Ga). 
After his release, our subject went to Nashville, 
and about one month later was allowed to go to 
St. Louis on parole, where he was taken veiy ill with 
fever and was soon discharged upon a surgeon's 
certificate of disability, October 13, 1862. He was 
in his forty-fifth year when he patriotically en- 
listed, and gave faithful and courageous service in 
behalf of national existence. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



563 



When Mr. Graham had recovered his health he 
engaged again in the peaceful occupation of a 
tiller of the soil, and a man of wise judgment and 
thrifty industry has gained a comfortable compe- 
tence. In political affiliation he is a Republican, 
and in 1860, he was elected a member of the Board 
of County Supervisors, and resigned the position 
when he entered the military service of the Govern- 
ment. As a member of the School Board for 
twenty-two years, and a Justice of the Peace for 
seventeen years, he aided in advancing the cause of 
education in his home locality, and in his decis- 
ions upon the magisterial bench was ever guided 
by law and evidence. As a Township Trustee for 
many years he materially assisted in the promo- 
tion of enterprise and local improvement and in 
all that pertains to the best interests and welfare 
of the township and county, has ever been most 
zealous and faithful. The devoted wife of our 
subject passed away August 31, 1800. She was a 
member of the United Brethren Church,. and a con- 
sistent and earnest Christian woman. Of her 
ten children, three died in infancy. The seven 
who survived to maturity are: James W., Mary J., 
Sarah E., Nancy V., Fannie E., Charles C. and 
George. The sons and daughters now living are 
all married. 

Since the death of his wife, Mr. Gr.iliam, having 
sold his farm, has resided with his sou James "W., 
the eldest of his children, and a man of more than 
ordinary ability and enterpri.se. James W. Gra- 
ham was born in Washington County, Md., Octo- 
ber 3, 1845, and attended the common schools dur- 
ing childhood, afterward enjoying for a brief 
time the advantages of instruction in the Western 
College. Later he went to Ann Arbor, and enter- 
ing the University, pursued a course of study. 
His school days ended, he taught school for a time, 
and then cng.agcd in the duties of agriculture, 
profitabl}' cultivating his acreage and raising graded 
stock. Prior to his location upon his farm he 
married Miss Sarah E. Hall, a Virginia lad}', who 
came with her parents to Johnson County many 
years ago. Her father died in 1871, but her 
mother is still living. The hearts and home of Mr. 
and Mrs. James W. Graham have been cheered by 
the birth of five children. Laura R. is a teacher in 



Plainwell, Mich.; Vivian B. and Edith B. are 
teachers; Jessie and Lillie G. are at home. In 
1863, following the example of his father, James 
Graham enlisted, and upon October 9 joined the 
Iowa Cavalry, and bravely serving until March 
1866, was engaged in many decisive battles and 
traveled over an extensive range of country. He 
was slightly wounded in a hot fight, and was at 
the time of his discharge from the service a Ser- 
geant. For over twenty-seven years he has been 
engaged in farming in Jefferson Township, where 
he owns a valuable and highl3'-cultivated home- 
stead of eighty acres. Politicall}', he is a Republi- 
can, and has with honor and elliciencj' discharged 
the duties of Assessor, Clerk, Trustee and has long 
been an important member of the School Board. 
He and his wife are both members of the United 
Brethren Church, and liberally aid in the ex- 
tension of its good work. Both Thomas Graham 
and his children inherited from their sturdy Scotch 
ancestors the sterling virtues and self-reliance which 
have so materiall}' aided them in their upward 
progress and have won for them the high regard 
and best wishes of a host of friends. Ambitious, 
energetic and enterprising, and withal upright, 
intelligent and patriotic, they are the highest type 
of true American citizens, and worthily occu|)y 
positions of usefulness and inlluencc. 



il(! ENRY SULLIVAN, a long-time resident, 
jj jij honored citizen and prominent and suc- 
(^^ cessful agriculturist of Newport Township. 
i^Jij Johnson County, Iowa, owns a valuable 
homestead finely cultivated and pleasantly located 
upon section 31. Over two-score years have 
elapsed since our subject came, a little lad eight 
years of age, with his parents to Johnson County, 
which has since been his permanent home. In 
this length of time |)assing through early boyhood, 
youthful manhood, and attaining maturity of 
years, Mr. Sullivan has faithfully and efflcientl}- 



564 



PORTRAIT AND BIO(ntAPinCAL RECORD. 



aided in the progress of local interests and im- 
provements, and worthily won the esteem of a 
wide circle of friends. Born in Herkimer Count}', 
N. Y., October 3, 1844, our subject was the son of 
tiic late Jolin Sullivan, a native of County Cork, 
Ireland. 

The mother, Mary (Kelle)-) Sullivan, was born 
in Count}' Down, Ireland, and was united in mar- 
riage with her husband in Nova Scotia, where they 
made their home until they emigrated to the 
United States. Locating in Herkimer County, N. 
Y., immediately after their arrival in this country, 
they remained in the Empire State until 1852, 
then journeying to Towa, arrived in Jolinson 
County on the 2d of July, and for the succeeding 
two years resided in Iowa City. They next set- 
tled in what is now Graham Township, where the 
father, John Sullivan, died in May, 1877. Tlie 
mother, yet surviving, still lives in Graham Town- 
ship, surrounded by her relatives and old-time 
friends and acquaintances. Our subject was the 
tliird child born unto his parents, who received 
into their hearts and homes five sons and five 
daughters. 

Mr. Sullivan remained with his father and 
mother, assisting in the labors of the farm, until lie 
was married January 8, 1875, and with his wife 
located in Newport Township, whicli then became 
ills permanent home. His wedding took place in 
Iowa Cit}', where he was united in marriage witii 
Miss Mary Mabcr, daughter of Mattiiew and Ann 
(Phillips) Maher, who, removing from Davenport, 
Iowa, in tlie early 'COs, located in Iowa City, wliich 
has since been their continuous residence. To Mr. 
and Mrs. Maher were born seven children, of wliom 
Mrs. Sullivan was the eldest. She is a most es- 
timable lady, widely known and highly re- 
spected. Four children, two sons and two daugh- 
ters, bless the happy home with their youthful 
presence. Two little ones passed away in infancy-. 
Edward J., Mary A., Henrietta and Matthew F. 
arc yet gatliered together in the family circle. 

Mr. Sullivan has always taken an active interest 
in both local and national elections, and most ably 
discharged the duties of County Supervisor for a 
period of six years. He has also received appoint- 
ments to various positions of responsibility in the 



township, and has materially aided in the import- 
ant interests and leading enterprises of his local- 
ity. An energetic and self-reliant man, he has 
prospered, his fine farm of one hundred and sev- 
enty-five acres yfelding him an abundant harvest 
and excellent annual income. A true friend and 
kind neighbor, ever mindful of those less fortunate 
than himself, and ready to lend a helping hand in 
the hour of suffering and distress, he is held jn 
high regard by the entire community among whom 
his useful life is passed. 



)!( OHN J. MILLER. Among the enterprising 
young farmers of Johnson Count}' our sub- 
ject takes rank with the best. He was born 
in Cedar Township, on the 19th of October, 
1849, and was reared and early inured to the hard- 
ships of life in the far West. A log cabin fourteen 
feet square was his birthplace, and when he arrived 
at the proper years he attended a rude log school- 
house, which was situated quite a distance from 
his home. He has two brothers and one sister, 
who are all still living and are respected citizens 
of the community in which they make tiieir home. 
Our subject remained with his parents, helping 
his father in clearing and improving his new farm, 
until he was past his majority. In the fall of 1874 
he commenced farming for himself, buying a tract 
of one hundred and two acres on section 26, Big 
Grove Township, since which time he h.as con- 
stantly devoted his best strength and most intelli- 
gent efforts to make it one of the model farms of 
the township. He now possesses one hundred 
and twenty-seven acres, where he carries on gen- 
eral farming and stock-raising, feeding a large num- 
ber of cattle during the winter. Starting with a 
very limited capital, he has steadily progressed till 
he is now in possession of a good competency and 
a comfortable home. 

The parents of our subject were Philip and 
Sarah (Gayraan) Miller, both of the Keystone 




Ulo.Ol .<tl Or JOHN hi 



-^^ JCt-llSON CO lA 




flf J 







RESIDENCE Of JOHN J. MILLER, SEC 26. BIG GROVE TP JOHNSO N CO. lA, 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



567 



State. The}' emigrated to Iowa in 1845, making 
a settlement in Cedar Township, wliere tiie fatiier 
entered eighty acres of land, vvliich he tliought 
would be all he would ever need to supply his 
family's wants. However, he afterward purchased 
additional land, and has been for many years a 
successful farmer. On his first coming to .Jolinson 
County it was almost a wilderness, deer and other 
wild game being very plentiful. Mr. Miller is still 
living and in the enjoyment of fair health, though 
he has reached a ripe old age. His name is justly 
mentioned among the records of the honored pio- 
neers who have accomplished so much toward mak- 
ing the wilderness "blossom as the ro.se." 

On the last day of December, 1877, John J. Mil- 
ler and Miss Martha Eason were united in mar- 
riage. Mrs. Miller was born in Wa3'nc County, 
Ohio, and is a daughter of Alexander and Mary 
Eason, who were natives of Pennsylvania and the 
Buckeye State, res{)ectively. They emigrated to 
.Johnson County, Iowa, with a wagon in the early 
days of its history. Both parents, who are long 
since deceased, were held in the greatest respect by 
their fellow-citizens, and their family was among 
the leading and influential ones of the county. 
Mrs. Miller was well educated in her native State, 
and with her husband holds an enviable position 
in the best social circles of the township. Our sub- 
ject deposits his ballot in favor of the Republican 
nominees and principles, and is actively interested 
in all measures whose object is the betterment of 
mankind and the progress of civilization. 



I<"^'^C 



"JllOlIN M.PORTER is engaged in general 
farming and stock-raising on section 23, 
Pleasant Valley Township,. Johnson County. 
His father, John Porter, now deceased, was 
a native of Ohio, where he grew to man's estate. 
In Indiana was celebrated his marriage with Miss 
Mary J. Davidson, and in that State four of their 
children were boi'n. .Samuel is now a resident of 
Oklahoma; William is deceased; Josephine be- 



came the wife of John Cisna, and both are now de- 
ceased; Isabel is the wife of Theodore Steal, of Phil- 
lips County, Kan.; Loui.sa is now Mrs. John Oli- 
ver, of Washington; John M. is our subject; David 
is now of Adair County, Iowa; and one died in 
infancy. The third child, Josephine, was blind 
and was educated in the Blind Asylum at Iowa 
Citj', afterward becoming a music teacher in the 
college. Her husband also suffered from the same 
affliction and was a student in the college, where 
they met and were married. He afterward became 
superintendent of the broom factory in the college. 

John Porter, Sr., emigrated from Indiana to 
Johnson County in 1842 and at once entered 
land. He was successful in his enterprises and 
ultimately was the owner of a large tract. He 
lived to see great changes in the wilderness of 
those early years, taking his share in its growth 
and prosperity; therefore his name is worthy to be 
placed among the honored |)ioneers who did so 
much toward placing this county in the ranks of 
the best ones in the State. 

Tha gentleman whose name appears at the be- 
ginning of this record is a native son of this 
county, his birth having occurred in P^remont 
Township May 28, 1849. His boyhood and youth 
were passed on his father's farm and his educa- 
tional privileges were those of the district schools. 
In 1871 he left the paternal roof, and going to 
Adair County engaged in farming until the sjjring 
of 1884. He then went to Washington Territory, 
where he remained until July of the following 
year, meanwhile engaged in prospecting with a 
view to making a permanent location. However, 
owing to various circumstances, he concluded to 
return for a time to Adair County, where he re- 
mained until 1889. 

In the year last mentioned Mr. Porter and Mrs. 
Mary A., widow of William J. Loan, were united 
in marriage. The lady is a daughter of Mathew 
Surber, a prominent farmer of Adair County. The 
union of our subject and his amiable wife has been 
blessed with two bright little ones, who are called 
Gertie E. and Grace. Mrs. Porter, who has re- 
ceived good educational advantages, is the pos- 
sessor of many qualities which have endeared her 
to all. She is a charming hostess and delights to 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



entertain her friends and neighbors in lier pleasant 
home. 

In 1889, Mr. Porter returned to this county and 
made a settlement on his present farm in Pleasant 
Valley Township, where he carries on general 
farming and stock-raising. His farm has all been 
brought under good cultivation and year by year 
he is making valualile improvements and otherwise 
increasing its value. Politically, he is a member 
of the Democracy, and as regards his personal 
qualities is quiet and unassuming in manner, at 
the same time being a man of integrity and con- 
stnentious purpose. 



AVID R . RANDALL, an able and 
popular merchant and enterprising pri- 
vate banker of Solon, Johnson County, is 
one of the best known men in this part of 
the State, and, of a genial nature, affable in manner, 
and upright in character, numbers his friends by the 
score. For many years one of the favorite teachers 
of Johnson County, and a public-spirited man, ac- 
tive in local enterprise and improvement, he has 
from boyhood been identified with the progressive 
interests of Iowa. Our subject was born in Foster, 
R. I., August 3, 1815, and is of genuine "May- 
Flower" ancestry, his forefathers of the Pilgrim 
stock. His paternal grandfather was a New Eng- 
land farmer, who lived to the good old age of nearly 
four-score years and ten and died in the State of 
his nativity, Rhode Island. Lyman T. Randall, the 
fathei' of our subject, was reared upon his father's 
farm an<1 had but little opportunity for an educa- 
tion, the entire period of schooling which he en- 
joyed not being more than six months. 

Believing that he would more surely attain to 
prosperity in the West, Father Randall sold his 
Rhode Island homestead, and with a small capital 
and his wife and family emigrated to Johnson 
County, Iowa, and locating near Solon, purchased 
a farm, and at once engaged in its culture. A man 
of genuine native ability and excellent common 



sense, he readily assimilated with his new surround- 
ings and won many friends. He came to Johnson 
County in 1859, and still surviving enjoys life and 
is in his seventy-sixth year. His good wife, Ann is 
Love, is of old New England stock and has been 
a helpmate indeed. The pleasant home of these 
worth}- descendants of the first settlers of New 
England was blessed by the birth of one child, 
our subject. The sou of a farmer, he was some- 
what restricted in educational advantages, but a[)- 
plied himself in every leisure moment to his books 
and was throughout the winter months a regular at- 
tendant at the nearest district school. He rapidly 
advanced in his studies, and at seventeen years of 
age he passed a thorough examination and received 
a first-class certificate to teach. 

Vov fourteen consecutive years Mr. Randall fol- 
lowed the vocation of a teacher, attending during 
the summer seasons to his farming interests and in 
the winter becoming an instructor in the county 
schools. He was an especially successful teacher, 
happy in his mode of instruction, and fully enjoyed 
the confidence and esteem of all his pupils. In 
1880, our subject first engaged in the mercantile 
business in Solon, and at the expiration of five 
years of experience purchased his partner's interest. 
Since that time he has been alone in business and 
has successfully conducted a first-class general store, 
carrying a complete line of staple goods and a 
large variety of sundries. Mr. Randall does a pri- 
vate banking business for the accommodation of the 
Solon public, and transacts the same in connection 
with his other interests. .His business is rapidly 
extending its former limits throughout the adjoin- 
ing neighborhoods, but Mr. Randall is equal to the 
situation and will keep abreast of the times and 
continue to make his establishment one of the most 
popular stores in Johnson County. 

Our subject was married January 13, 1865, to 
Miss Mary Walter, a native of Johnson County, 
and a daughter of Anthony and Barbara Walter, 
both parents being of C4erman birth. The father 
and mother emigrated from the Fatherland in 
1841, and settled in Johnson County, Iowa, in a 
very early day in the history of this part of the 
State. Mr. and Mrs. Walter have both passed 
away. Mr. and Mrs. Randall are the parents of 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



569 



three cliildren. James H. is the eldest son; Mark 
has completed a course in the Cedar Rapids Busi- 
ness College; Addie has taught school, but is now 
interested with her husband, J. F. Lawyer, iu the 
iiotel business in Solon. The sous manage Lhe 
fine farm of one hundred and fifty acres near Solon, 
and also assist in the store. Thus useful and indus- 
trious, the daughter and sons are self-reliantly win- 
ning their way to assured prosperity. In all these 
changing years our subject has made his permanent 
home with his father and mother, occupying the 
same house. Politically, Mr. Raudall is a Prohibi- 
tionist, but formerly was a Democrat and has repre- 
sented his constituents in the Councd of Solon and 
as a City Father has done the public ellieient ser- 
vice. Our subject has also held other local ofHces, 
discharging the trusts reposed in him with faithful 
fidelity, and both in an oHicial and as a private 
citizen has been distinguished for his upright man- 
liness, sincerity of purpose, and sterling traits of 
character. 



^^ 



X\ IVILLIAM F. SMITH. Among the noted pio- 
\/\/l/ w'^*^''* of the Western States who are now 
^y^ enjoying a serene old age, there is no one 
wlio more fully- illustrates in his career the resource- 
fulness, the unbounded energy and the activity of 
the men who laid the foundations of present pros- 
perity in these Commonwealths than William V. 
Smith, an agriculturist and a promoter of various 
important enterprises. He was born in Pendleton 
County, Va. (now W. Va.), March Lo, 1818. The 
(jaternal grandfather, William Smith, was a native 
t)f England, but prior to the War of the Revolution 
came to this country, where he devoted his atten- 
tion to tilling the soil, and died at a ripe old age. 
His son William followed iu his footsteps in re- 
gard to an occupation, and in addition was en- 
gaged in the distilling business, but when just in 
the prime of life — forty years of age — his career 
was cut short by death. He was mariied to Miss 
I'hivbe .1. Fisher, a native of ^'irglnla and of Ger- 



man stock, and to them a family of eight children 
was given. The mother died when about sixty 
years of age. Her father, John Fisher, was a na- 
tive of Germany, as was his wife, and after devot- 
ing his life to tilling the soil, he died in his native 
land. 

William F. Smith was the fourth of his parents' 
eight children, and from the very first he was 
initiated into the mysteries of the farm, continu- 
ing to follow this occupation until he was eighteen 
years of age, at the same time learning the cabinet- 
maker's trade. The old log schoolhouse, furnished 
with backless slab benches and heated by the old- 
time fireplace, was the scene of his early scholastic 
labors, but notwithstanding these drawbacks he 
made fair progress in his studies, and became a 
fairly well-informed young man. Becoming tired 
of single blessedness, he was married in Virginia 
to Miss Leanna Propst, a native of that State, and 
to them two children were born: Isafene (de- 
ceased), and Jacob. In the fall of 1843, Mr. Smith 
moved with his family to Tennessee, where he was 
left a widower the following year. His second 
wife was Miss Sarah Macklin, a native Tennes- 
seean, who bore him one child, Leanna. On the 
20th of November, 1845, he started for Iowa and 
the six-weeks journey was made by wagon, camp- 
ing out the most of the time. After living one 
year in Iowa City, which was but a village at that 
time, he moved onto a farm a short distance east 
of his present place, where his wife was called from 
this life in August, 1847. He purchased his pres- 
ent farm of one hundred and sixty acres from the 
Government, and although he was troubled with 
ague a great deal during the first two years of his 
residence here, he managed to do a great deal of 
clearing and improving, and converted it into one 
of the most desirable farms in the township. He 
greatly increased his acreage, but a few years since 
sold off a considerable amount of his land. 

In 1848 Nancy Seaborn, who was born in East 
Tennessee in 1824, became his wife, and eventually 
a family of nine children gathered about their 
board: Martha E., Mary E., Albert, Henry, AVal- 
bert, John, Wilbert, Charles and Ida. Mrs. Smith 
has been a resident of l()wa since 1838, settling in 
Union Township with her p.Treiils, and is now one 



570 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



of the oldest residents in the county. Mr. Smith 
lias given his attention to raising stock and grain, 
being very extensively engaged in the former oc- 
cupation at one time, and raising graded animals. 
Politically, he has always supported the measures 
of tlie Republican party, and his first Presidential 
vote was cast in 1840 for William Henry Harrison. 
He has been Treasurer of his school district for the 
past twenty years, but aside from this has had no 
desire to hold ollicial position. In looking over 
the life of this worthy gentleman, he may justly be 
called a self-made man, for he came to this region 
with little means and has worked faithfully and 
energeticall}' until he is now in independent fi- 
nancial circumstances. He and his wife have seen 
almost the entire development of the county and 
have become very well known and have the respect 
of the entire community. The lesson of such a 
career of energy, perseverance, enterprise and pub- 
lic spirit, carrying a youth from humble circum- 
stances to an honored old age, needs no word of 
comment to make it significant and impressive. 



'^/ OHN MOORE, an enterprising agriculturist 
of Union Townshii), Poweshiek County, has 
filled numerous positions within the gift of 
the people. He was made Justice of the Peace 
in 1861 to fill the unexpired term of his prede- 
cessor and has served in that important position 
up to the present time with the exception of six 
3'ears. He lias served for several terras on the 
Board of Supervisors, of which he is at present a 
member, and has also filled other more or less im- 
portant positions. In the fall of 1873 Mr. Moore 
was elected on the regular Republican ticket to the 
Fifteenth General Assembly' of Iowa, and after 
serving in that honored body for two years de- 
clined a second term and returned to the home- 
stead to which he has since devoted most of his 
time. His farm is located on section 27, and 
owing to the owner's industry and care it is con- 
sidered one of the finest in tlie county. It in- 



cludes two hundred and eighty acres of good land, 
two hundred of whicliare under cultivation, about 
forty acres are used for pasturage and the remainder 
is heavy timberland. On tliis place Mr. Moore 
has a large and substantial residence, good barns, 
well arranged for convenience, and other farm 
buildings. The orchard on this place is especially 
thrifty, and there are about four hundred bearing 
apple trees and fifty cherry trees.' Our subject is 
greatly interested in the raising of thoroughbred 
cattle and horses, feeding from sixty to one hun- 
dred and fifty head of Shorthorns a year. His 
horses of liie Shire and Clydesdale breeds now com- 
prise about twenty head, though he often keeps a 
larger number. In addition to this he keeps from 
one hundred and fifty to two hundred hogs each 
year, making a specialty of the better varieties. 

Our subject was born in Sangamon County, 111., 
October 14, 1825, and passed his boyhood on his 
father's farm, attending the common schools of the 
neigh Ijorhood for a portion of the time until 1843, 
when with his father and brother he came to Iowa, 
locating in this county in November. The follow- 
ing year he made a permanent settlement on a 
farm situated on section 27. Four years later, on 
October 14, 1848, he was united in marriage with 
Miss Amelia P. Woodward. Their union has been 
blessed with eight children, the eldest of whom, 
Nicholas, born October 4, 1849, married Mattie 
Watkins, December 24, 1871, and is now engaged 
in business in Marshalltown, Iowa. Mar}' Louisa, 
who was born June 12, 1851, was married in De- 
cember, 1871, to N. Valentine, who is also engaged 
in the real-estate, loan and abstract business at 
Marshalltown. Sarah E., whose birth occurred 
June 23, 1854, is the wife of AVilliam Butt, a far- 
mer near Sheridan, Iowa; Emma L., born January 
21, 1856, married Washington Butt, of Monte- 
zuma, in 1877. Rosetta, whose birth occurred 
May 28, 1857, is the wife of William Valentine, to 
whom she was married in March, 1876, their home 
now being in Minnesota. Drusilla, born May 24, 
1859, has been twice married, her first union being 
with Clarence C. Morgan in June, 1881, and after 
his death, on May 1, 1887, she was united in mar- 
riage with Madison L. Kirkpatrick, the ceremony 
having been performed in September, 1890. The 




%« 




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



573 



latter is a well-known farmer of this county. 
Winfleld Scott, who was married in ,Iuue, 1884, to 
Miss Ida Smith and is carrying on a farm in Cass 
County, Iowa, was born February 1, 1861. The 
youngest of the family, Harlan G., born February 
13, 18G9, is unmarried and is a member of the 
firm of Stone & Co., of Montezuma. Mr. and Mrs. 
Moore brought up with their children Aliss Clara 
M. Adams, whom they took to rear at the age of 
fourteen months. She has been given a good 
home and educational advantages and is now the 
wife of Bailey Allen, to whom she was married 
New Year's Da}-, 1892. The latter is a prosperous 
farmer in this county. 

Mr. Moore has been among the foremost men of 
the county since its early history and by the qual- 
ities of intelligence, honesty and generosit}', 
which are his to a marked degree, he has won the 
respect of all. Since sixteen years of age he has 
been a member of the Methodist Elpiscopal Church, 
to which his wife also belongs. Looking back 
over his past life, he may be proud of the record 
he has made, for he has ever endeavored to follow 
the Golden Rule in his relations with his fellows, 
and "has done good unto all as he has had oppor- 
tunity." 






,^;D0NIRAM JUDSON BLAKELYisaprom- 
'^11 •'^^"^ agriculturist and stock-breeder of 
/// ii Poweshiek County, Iowa, and upon his 
(^^ large and productive farm, two milessouth 

of Grinnell, successfully handles Merino shee]), 
Shorthorn cattle and Poland-China hogs. He is 
an enthusiast, not only in breeding good animals, 
but in producing immense crops of grass and corn. 
He often raises one hundred bushels of corn to 
the acre from large fields. A man of rare execu- 
tive ability, Mr. Blakel}- has filled many important 
public positions, and, elHcientl}- discharging each 
duty entrusted to his care, enjoj-s the continued 
confidence and high regard of the people of his 
county, and indeed of the State. 

26 



Our subject is a native of Vermontand was born 
in Pawlet, Rutland Count}'. in 1834. Reared upon 
a farm, his boj'hood was occupied with plenty of 
hard work, but the district school and reading and 
study upon winter evenings and rainy days gave 
him early in life a fair education, and at eighteen 
years of age he went across the line into New 
York and taught his first district school with fifty 
pupils. Paj-ing his way with farm work and school 
teaching, he graduated at Union College, Schenec- 
tady, N. Y., in 1859. In the spring of 1861 he 
was admitted to the Bar at Albany, N. Y. He had 
practiced the profession of the law but a short 
time in Port Henry, N. Y., when the breaking out 
of the war and the demands of the Government 
caused him to abandon his civil duties and enter 
the service of his country. 

In August, 1862, Mr. Blakely enlisted in Com- 
pany B, Fourteenth Vermont Infantry, and joined 
the Army of the Potomac. The Fourteenth, Fif- 
teenth and Sixteenth Vermont Regiments acted a 
prominent part in the great battle of Gettysburg. 
The brigade they constituted, under the command 
of Gen. Stanard, met, with others, on the third day 
the great onslaught of the rebel (ien. Picket's charge. 
Gen. Stanard fell wounded, but the brigade that 
charged on the Vermonters was utterly demol- 
ished, and their every battle flag captured. Mr. 
Blakel}'^ was First Lieutenant of his company, 
twenty-tive per cent, of which were killed and 
wounded in the battle. The following nio-ht 
Lieut. Blakely was given a detachment of men 
from every company in the regiment to clear the 
field of dead and wounded where the brigade had 
fought. For a short time after the battle he acted 
as Quartermaster of the brigade. At the conclusion 
of his term of service he was honorably discharged 
and returned to his old home in Vermont. 

At the close of the war lawyers were findin"- 
little to do and Mr. Blakely engaged in buying, 
breeding and shipping fine stock. He took sev- 
eral carloads of Vermont Merinos to Michigan. 
Prospered in his ventures, he came to Grinnell in 
1867, where his principal business has been farm- 
ing and breeding of fine stock. He also built an 
elevator in Grinnell and shipped grain one year. 

Our subject was one of eight sons and daugh- 



574 



yORTEAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



ters born to Dan and Hannah (Edgerton) Blakel,y. 
A liistoiy of Pawlet imblitlied twenty-five years 
ago says of Dan Blakely, " He was a public-spirited 
and influential citizen, and for many years took a 
leading part in the business and religious interests 
of the town." Fayette, the eldest brother, lately 
deceased, was a prominent and wealthy citizen of 
Rutland County. Almira married Hon. Curtis 
Reed, who in 1876 and 1877 was a member 
of the Vermont Legislature; they both died at 
Bawlet. inland Hall is a prosperous citizen of 
Proctor, Vt. Sheldon E. resides in San Francisco 
and is a wealthy real-estate man of the Pacific 
Coast. A. Judson is our subject. Collins is a drug- 
gist in Montpelier,' Vt., and is High Priest of the 
Masonic fraternity of the Green Mountain State. 
Sheldon E. and Collins are both graduates of Union 
College. Franklin, the youngest brother, owns 
and occupies the fine old homestead reclaimed from 
the forest by the Blakelys more than one hundred 
years ago. There with his wife and sister Mary 
he most hospitably entertains the many Blakelys 
who are glad to visit the ancestral home. 

The paternal grandfather of our subject, David 
Blakely, having bravely served in the War of the 
Revolution, married Phebe Hall, and came from 
Woodbury, Conn., to Pawlet, Vt., in 1782. The 
late Hon. Hiland Hall, of Bennington, Vt.. many 
years in Congress and later Judge of the Supreme 
Court, and Governor of Vermont, was her nephew. 
Mr. Blakely 's maternal grandfather, Jacob Edger- 
ton, and his great-grandfather, Simeon Edgerton, 
also both served in the Revolutionary War. The 
latter was a distinguished Captain from Norwich, 
Conn., born in 1732. He was at the capture of New 
London and the massacre of Ft. Griswold by 
Arnold. He came to Pawlet in 1782, became a 
member of the Legislature and was entrusted with 
many responsible offices. The same patriotic si)irit 
was manifested by his numerous descendants, who 
served their country in the crisis from 1861 to 
1865. 

Tilly Blakely, the paternal great-giandfaliier. 
was a native of Woodbury, Conn., the Blakely fam- 
ily having been among the earliest colonists of New 
England, and originally descended from Scottish 
ancestry. Many of the Blakelys, first cousins of 



our subject, have been and are Congregational 
clergymen. Hon. R. Blakely, President of the 
Great Northwestern Transportation Co., of St. 
Paul, and who owns stage lines all through the 
Northwestern States and Territories, is a cousin of 
our subject, and is one of the many who have done 
honor and credit to the name of Blakely. 

Mr. BIakel3- was for many years the efficient 
Secretary of the Grinnell School Board. He has 
been Secretary of the Iowa Sheep-Breeders' and 
Wool-Growers' Association since its organization. 
One 3'ear he served as Special Agent of the Gen- 
eral Land Office in the Black Hills region, but his 
affairs in (irinnell needing his attention, he re- 
signed his commission, though strongly urged by 
the Department to remain. 

In the spring of 1888, April 12, Mr. Blakely 
was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Sulser, 
a native of Switzerland, who was brought to Iowa 
by her parents when but two years of age. To 
them have been born three children, Mary La- 
viuia, A. Judson, Jr., and Margaret Columbia. 

An earnest reformer and a believer in co-opera- 
tion among the masses of wealth producers, Mr. 
Blakely was prominent in oiganizing the Farmers* 
Protective Association, or Grange Store, of Grin- 
nell, owned by one hundred stockholders, an in- 
stitution second to no other mercantile establish- 
ment in the county'. He wrote its articles of in- 
corporation and has been its President many years. 
He was perhaps chietly instrumental in organizing 
the Poweshiek County Farmers' Mutual Fire Li- 
surance Co., which has now become a very large 
and popular company. He was for three years 
Secretary of the comi)any and has for several years 
been its President. 

Political 1}', Mr. Blakely was formerly a Repub- 
lican, but believing tiie management of the finances 
of the nation by that party for several years after 
the war brought on the great financial revulsion 
of 1873 and subsequent years of depression, he 
joined the Greenback party. He was its can- 
didate for County Treasurer in 1879, polling 
over sixteen hundred votes. He is now promi- 
nent in the councils of the People's party and 
a member of the State Central Committee. At 
the State convention in 1890 he was nominated 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



575 



for State Treasurer. He was not at the conven- 
tion, and the following day was snrprised to learn 
of his nomination. In 1 892, contrarj' to his wishes, 
he was nominated for State Auditor. 

Mr. Blakely is a vigorous writer on iiolitical and 
agricultural topics, and also a forcible and elo- 
quent si)eaker. He has sometimes edited a de- 
partment in agricultural and stock journals. Since 
twenty years of age, Mr. Blakely has been a worthy' 
member of the Congregational Church. He is a 
genuine philanthropist, and is in his business rela- 
tions, social and political life a sincere man, ear- 
nest, enterprising, and of sterling integrity of 
chaiactei'. 



-^i>^^<r- 



~^=^®» 



'iflOHN TANTLINGER. In sketching the life 
of this successful farmer and stockman of 
Fremont Township, Johnson County, Iowa, 
it is just to say that his good name is above 
reproach, and that he has won the confidence and 
respect of all who know him. He was born in 
Somerset County, Pa., in 1833, being the third in 
a family of ten children born to John G. and 
Caroline (Kennedy) Tanllinger, the former of 
whom was supposed to have been born in Penn- 
sylvania in 1809. He was a saddler by trade, and 
followed that calling in the State of his birth until 
his removal to Johnson Count}', Iowa, which oc- 
curred in 1843, and thereafter he followed farming 
until his death in 1846, only a few years after lo- 
cating here. He came of German parents, and 
was a man of much decision and force of character, 
and an upright and honorable gentleman. His 
children he brought with him to this section, they 
being as follows: George, the eldest, who died 
young in Pennsylvania; William A., who was born 
in 1831, and is now a resident of Iowa City; John; 
George, named for his brother, also deceased; 
Lucretia, wife of Luke McGinnis, a resident of 
Salem, Ore.; Catherine, wife of J. McWhirter, who 
resides at Le (Jrand, Ore.; Perry, a resident of King- 
ston, Mo.; Isabella, wife of Owen Baxter, who lives 



in What Cheer, Iowa; Iowa Lavena, who was born 
in Iowa City in March, 1844, and is the wife of a 
Mr. Rice, of Cumberland, Md.; and Matilda, who 
is the wife of Henry Carl, of Pendleton, Ore. 

John Tantlinger grew to manhood in Johnson 
County, pursued his studies in the district schools, 
and continued to make his home with his mother 
until the time of his marriage, in 1853, to Miss 
Louisa, daughter of Seth and Sarah (Stover) War- 
ren, the former of whom died in Indiana, after 
which Mrs. Warren was moved to Johnson County, 
Iowa, by her brother, Jerry Stover, in 1842, her 
family consisting of six children, of whom Mrs. 
Tantlinger was the eldest. The other children 
were: Martha, who married Thomas Powellson, and 
died, leaving no family; Silas D., who is in San 
Louis Valley, Colo; Joseph S., a resident of Good- 
land, Kan; Hester A., who married Selva Street, 
and died, leaving one son, Joseph N., of Montana; 
and Seth, now a resident of the San Louis Valley, 
Colo. Mrs. Warren, after coming to Johnson 
County, married Joseph Wallace, and unto them 
were born six children: Sarah became the wife of 
Oliver Smith, whose father was one of the first 
settlers of the county; Mary is the wife of C. 
Smelzer, but by a former husband she had one 
son, Arthur W. Heubner; James A. is a resident 
of Montana; Jacob M. is also in that State; and 
John is in San Louis Valley, Colo. 

Immediately succeeding the celebration of their 
marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Tantlinger began doing 
for themselves, and in the summer of 1856 he pur- 
chased eighty acres of land, on which he is now re- 
siding, and to which he has added, until at the 
present time they have an excellent farm of two 
hundred and forty acres, all of which has been 
developed through their own persevering efforts. 
He has been closely identified with the agricul- 
tural pursuits of his section, and his well-estab- 
lished characteristics of energy, industry and un- 
bounded perseverance have brought him safe re- 
turns. Since about 1870 he has been quite exten- 
sively engaged in the breeding of Shorthorn cat- 
tle and a good grade of draft horses, and the 
example he has set in this respect has served as an 
impulse for others to follow him in this industry. 
It is perhaijs unnecessary to add that he is recog- 



576 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



nized as a man of energy, progressive spirit and 
clear perception, and liis success in life is well de- 
served and assured. Of seven children Lorn to 
Ihem, but three are living. Martha L. died young; 
Silas died in childhood; John A. died at the age 
of nineteen years; F. Mary is the wife of Henry 
Lane, a merchant of Lone Tree; Sarah Delia is the 
wife of Dr. C. E. Ruth, of Keokuk, Iowa; Isabel 
died in infancy; and Walter W. is still at home, 
and is an attendant of the State University at Iowa 
City. 

Tnlil the fall of 18',)2, Mr. Tantlinger was a 
stanch Republican, but he then identified himself 
with the Prohibition party. He and his family 
attend the Methodist Episcoi>al Church, all their 
children uniting with that church before the age 
of fifteen years. Besides their own children they 
have kindly reared an orphan girl, Mary Ella 
McCaulley, whose parents died when she was 
quite young. Mr. and Mrs. Tantlinger are hos- 
pitable, generous people, and are among the lead- 
ing and prominent citizens of the county. On 
three different occasions Mr. Tantlinger was sent 
as a delegate to the Iowa State Republican Con- 
ventions, and he was also a member of the County 
Republican Convention nearly three years. 



"fj EREMIAH CRAY, the subject of this 
sketch, well known to a host of acquain- 
tances in this section, is an ideal farmer, 
for not only is every branch of his farming 
operations carefully looked after, but his example 
of persevering industry, push and great enterprise 
has made a lasting impression on the agricultural 
affairs of his section, and has been emulated by 
many who otherwise would, like the immortal 
Wilkins Micawber, have waited for something to 
turn up. Mr. Cray was the eighth child born to 
Christopher and Priscilla (Ulick) Cray, and was 
born in Somerset County, N. J., in 185L His fa- 
ther was an industrious agriculturist of that 
county, and a native of the State, where his father 



also lived and died, and from which he enlisted in 
the Revolutionary War, lieing under command of 
Gen. Washington when he crossed the Delaware 
River into Trenton. 

In 1856 Jeremiah Cray came with his parents to 
Johnson County, Iowa, and here with his brothers 
and sisters he attained mature years, and from the 
veiy first was initiated into the mysteries of farm- 
ing, an occupation which was by no means a labor 
of love in those days of unbroken tracts of land and 
unimproved and rude machinery. His education 
was confined to the district schools, which were by 
no means of the best or many in number at that 
time, consequently he grew up with a rather lim- 
ited knowledge of the world of books, but be- 
ing in no respect deficient in natural intelligence, 
he made the most of eveiy opportunity, and be- 
came a well-informed j'oung man. His father 
owned a small farm of forty acres, which he did 
not live to increase or to improve to any great ex- 
tent, consequently Jeremiah was thrown upon his 
own resources at the age of fifteen years, and in 
eveiy sense of the word has been the arciiitect of 
his own fortune. Although heat first experienced 
many ups and downs, his earnest and persistent 
efforts were at last rewarded, and after laboring 
for some time with his brother Abraham, they in 
partnership purchased a farm of one hundred and 
twenty acres, to which the}' added from time to 
time as their means increased, and finally became 
the owners of a three hundred and twenty acre 
tract of exceptionally productive and desirable 
land. The brother Abraham died in 1876, and at 
the present time Jeremiah is the owner of two 
hundred acres of excellent land. He has become 
well known for his industrious and steady habits, 
and being reliable beyond suspicion in all his busi- 
ness transactions he, to a great extent, enjoys the 
esteem and confidence of those who know him. 

In 1876 Mr. Cray came to the conclusion that it 
was not good for man to live alone, and took unto 
himself a wife in the person of Sarah Ililer, daugh- 
ter of William Hiler, who was a native of Ohio, 
and died while serving his country in the Union 
arm}'. Mrs. Cray died on the 16th of January, 
1893. To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Cray a fam- 
ily of four children was given: John H., Ro}' E., 







RESIDENCE OF WILLIAM H. DOWN! NG , SEC.SO. GRINNELL TP. POWESHICK CO. lA, 



JiHiq^- 



4^' 







*, ^" tei::*-"^^ 






RE..:;DE.ICE CF JERE^;!ArH CRAY, otZ.o. FREUIOU: TP.JOHNSON CO. lA 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



579 



Eugene A. and Haltie M. Mr. Cray's career has 
been characterized by hard work, and that he has 
been successful is a source of much pleasure to 
those who know him and is a just reward of merit. 
He atliliated with the Democratic party in politics 
up to tiie year 1886, at which time he cast his 
influence on the side of the Republican part^', and 
has since continued to do so. Much of his atten- 
tion has been given to the raising of swine, and he 
not only raises a good breed, but he raises them in 
large numbers, and has done so for a numlier of 
years past. 



^ ItlLLIAM H. DOWNING, a highly respec- 
\rJ/l ted citizen, successful general agriculturist 
V^^ and stock-raiser of Grinnell Townsliip, 
Poweshiek Count}', Iowa, has for almost a quarter 
of a century been a resident of his present home- 
stead of one hundred and thirt}' acres, and, a prac- 
tical farmer and excellent business man, has long 
been identified with the progressive advancement 
of his locality. Mr. Downing was born in Brook- 
lyn, Windham County, Conn., in 1830, and was 
tlie sixth in a family of eight children born to 
Abnerand Drusilla (Nye) Downing, both of whom 
were natives of Connecticut, and worthy descen- 
dants of good New England stock, although the 
Downings were originally from Wales and preserve 
many of the sterling traits and sturdy indepen- 
dence of their Welsh ancestry. Our subject grew 
up to manhood in his birthi)Lace, but finally deter- 
mining to try his fortune in the broader fields 
of the West, removed to Illinois in 1854, residing 
in Bureau and Henry Counties until 18611. In the 
meantime, Mr. Downing had been united in mar- 
riage with Miss Margaret Carrico, and with her 
made his home in Poweshiek County in the last- 
named year, 1869. 

Our subject and his worthy wife reared eight 
children, five daughters and three sons. The eld- 
est, Harriet, is now deceased; Minnie was the 



second in order of birth; George was the first son; 
Clara is the wife of John J. Berry, of .Jasper 
County, Iowa; Laura married .Joe McBiien, of 
Omaha; Alfred is a resident of Chicago; Florence 
and Charles are at home. Although never de- 
sirous of publicity, and a quiet and reserved man, 
our sul)ject is well known and honored for his 
sincere honesty and invincible integrity of pur- 
pose. Politically, he is a straight Republican, and 
a firm supporter of the party. A kind neighbor 
and sincere friend, his life has been unclouded by 
any word or act of dishonor, and to his children 
he will leave the remembrance of a career rich in 
usefulness and fraught with the earnest consider- 
ation which l\Ir. Downing as a true American citi- 
zen gives to each vital duty of the hour. 



R. IIEAI>D, one of the nierc-hants of the 
city of Grinnell and a citizen of the place, 
is the subject of this brief sketch. Com- 
ing of an old Eastern family that traces 
its ancestry back to the early part of the seven- 
teenth century, Mr. Ileaid has reason to be proud 
of the stock from which he sprang. During liis 
residence in the city he has made a host of friends 
for himself by his honest metliods of dealing. He 
was born in Sumner, Oxford County, Me., June It, 
1829, ason of Hon. Benjamin Ileaid, Jr. The latter 
was born in Sumner, Oxford County, Me., and his 
father, the grandfather of our subject, Benjamin 
Ileaid, Sr., was a native of Massachusetts. The 
last-named gentleman wasa jiioneer Inintev and ex- 
plorer, who owned the greater portion of the town 
of Sumner, where he removed earl}' in theliistoiy of 
that section of countiy. He it w.as who established 
the Buckfield Mills, the first flonrniills in Oxford 
County, and, previous to starting them, used to 
carry Hour from Massachusetts on horseback. Much 
of the improvement and development of the county 
is due to his efforts, and when he died in Sumner, 
aijed seventy-two years, his loss was universallv 



580 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



regretted by a large circle of acquaintances and 
friends. In religious matters he was a Universalist, 
and lived a life worthy of the teachings of that 
creed. The family is of English extraction, trac- 
ing hack to Deacon John Heald, the first of the 
family to settle in America. He emigrated from 
Great Britain to this country in the seventeenth 
century. 

The father of our subject was a farmer b}' occu- 
pation, and cleared up lands located at the head- 
waters of the Penobscot, in the Katahdin Moun- 
tains, where he improved a large farm, although 
the family resided in Oxford County. He served 
for sixteen months as a Selectman in the town of 
Sumner, and was a member of the Maine Legisla- 
ture for one term. His death occurred at the age 
of eighty-two years. His wife, Achsah (Hall) 
Heald, was born in Croyden, N. H., a daughter of 
Abijah Hall, a farmer, whose death occurred by 
accidental drowning. The mother of our subject 
died at the ripe old age of ninety, after having 
brought into the world eleven children, whom she 
was permitted to see grow to maturity, and of 
these our subject was the fourth. One brother of 
our subject was a Captain in the First Wisconsin 
Cavalr}', and met his death at Chickamauga. An- 
other brother, Benjamin, served in a Massachusetts 
regiment until discharged on account of sickness. 

Our subject was reared in his native county, 
and received his education in the public schools 
of that section, after which, at the age of twenty, 
he commenced teaching, and followed that calling 
for three winters in Oxford and Penobscot Coun- 
ties, Me. In 18;j2, fired by the accounts of the 
wealth of the mountains of the Pacific Coast, our 
subject set sail from New York Cit}^ in the steamer 
"Daniel Webster" for Graytown, Isthmus of Pan- 
ama, by way of the Nicaragua Line. Upon his 
arrival at Greytown he went up the Nicaragua 
River and Lake, thence on mules to the coast, 
where he embarked on the steamer "Independ- 
ence," and finally reached San Francisco, after a 
voyage of over a month. As soon as he arrived 
in the Golden State he hurried to the moun- 
tains, at the north fork of the American River, 
where he spent a year prospecting and mining. 
He next mined on the Yuba River for some time; 



when he went to a ranch on the Horncut River, a 
branch of the Feather River. Subsequently he 
opened a store in Sierra County, after which he 
engaged in mining again, opening a hill claim, 
which paid well, and out of which he made a large 
amount of money, as he owned one-half of the 
mine. This mine bore the name of "Lone Star," 
and the successful owners felt tllat they were well 
repaid for sticking to it, by the handsome returns 
it yielded them. 

In December, 1860, Mr. Heald returned home 
by way of the Isthmus to New York, thence 
to Maine. The following July he married, and 
immediately returned by wa}' of the same route 
to San Francisco to look after his raining in- 
terests in Sierra County, remaining in Califor- 
nia until the fall of 1864, when he again re- 
turned to Maine by way of Nicaragua, his wife 
having preceded him in the spring of the same 
year. After his return to his native State, he en- 
gaged in the wholesale provision and flour busi- 
ness, in which he continued until the spring of 
1866, when he removed to Iowa, where he pur- 
chased the best one hundred and sixty acre farm 
in Poweshiek County. This land he improved 
and built upon, but in the fall returned to Maine; 
however, in the following spring, he returned with 
his family to his farm, to which he added an- 
other one hundred and sixty acres, then having 
three hundred and twenty acres. On this farm, 
the best in the county, he fed eleven high-grade 
and noted Durham cattle, and a good grade of 
hogs. In 1882 he sold his farm and located in 
Grinnell, in order to give educational advantages 
to his children. He first engaged in the general 
provision, feed and flour business, and for eight 
years his was the main store of its kind in the 
citj', being located first on Fourth Avenue, and 
later on Main Street. He now handles flour, feed, 
wood and posts, and carries a larger stock than 
any other firm in the city, retailing his wood. 

In addition to his comfortable and pleasant 
home in Grinnell, our subject owns one hundred 
and sixty acres of land in southwestern Minnesota. 
He and B. J. Corney purchased a block of land, 
in the city of Grinnell, on which they erected six 
residences. Mr. Heald is also a stockholder and 



PORTRAIT AND mOGRAPtPCAL RECORD. 



581 



Director in the Saviiio:* Bank and the Merchants' 
Bank of Giinnell. In July, 1861, Mr. Heald was 
marrierl to Miss Julia V. Howe, born in Paris, 
Me., (laughter of Henry Howe, a merchant of that 
phice and a descendant of an old Eastern family. 
Mrs. Heald was educated in her native town, and 
became an efficient teacher before her marriai^e. 
Twelve children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Heald, 
Alice, a graduate of Iowa College, who became 
a teacher and missionary of the Harpoot College, 
Harpoot, Turkey, but is now Mrs. Wilmont Wheeler, 
and resides in Grinuell; Harry, a graduate of Iowa 
College, an electrician at Lynn, Mass.; Mary, edu- 
cated at Iowa College, and a lad}' of literary at- 
tainments, residing in Grinnell; Ernest, a teacher 
in this county, a sophomore in Iowa College; 
Benjamin H., a freshman at Iowa College; George, 
Herbert, Walter and Edward, all at home; Lueinda 
P., Ciiarles and Arthur, deceased. Our subject 
served very efflciently as a School Director, giving 
satisfaction to all. The platform of the Republi- 
can party is the one upon which Mr. Heald takes 
his stand, and according to his views is the one 
best able to advance the interests of the country. 
In religion, he iiolds to the creed enunciated by 
the Congregational Ciiurch, in which body he is 
a member, cheerfully aiding in all movements 
calculated to be of benefit to the congregation. 



ON. M.J. KELLY. Among the prominent 
and influeiitiai citizens of Iowa County the 
popular State Senator, banker and merchant 
of AViUianisburgh takes high rank. The 
stor_v of his life reads like a romance, for he was 
liorn in poverty and started in life with but limited 
education, as an apprentice to the tinner's trade. 
His advance in the financial as well as in political 
lines h.as been rapid and truly remarkable. He 
has made his mark in the State Senate, and still 
greater things are undoubtedly in stoie for this 
self-made man of genius and unusual abilit}-. 



Mr. Kelly was born in County Tipperary, Ire- 
land, March 22, 18.50. His parents were John and 
Nora (Ryan) Kelly, whose familj' comprised seven 
children, our subject being the fifth child. When 
he was two years of age, or in 1852, his parents 
concluded to try their fortunes in the New World, 
and therefore, crossing the ocean, first located at 
Et. Byron, N. Y., near which village the father was 
engaged in farming for some six years, after which 
the familj- removed to Muscatine, Iowa. There 
our subject received his education, the greater por- 
tion of which was obtained in the public schools, 
in fact all, with the exception of one term in the 
law department of the Iowa University at Iowa 
Cit}'. This was not taken with the intention of 
becoming a member of the legal profession, but 
simply to thoroughly qualif}' himself for the busi- 
ness life he was determined to follow. When onlj* 
fifteen years of age he commenced serving an ap- 
prenticeship to the tinner's trade in Muscatine, 
which calling he followed until 1868. At that 
time, going to Des Moines, he worked as a journey- 
man tinsmith, later engaging in business in the 
same line on his own account in that city for six 
years. Next coming to this county, he located at 
Lj'tle City, where he formed a partnership with a 
man by the name of Grimes. While there he served 
on the County Board of Supervisors for three 
years, and was also a Justice of the Peace and n 
member of the School Board. 

In Eebruary, 1870, Mr. Kelly was married to 
Miss Morgura Lytle, of Lytle Citj', which place 
was named in honor of her father. Seven children, 
four boys and three girls, grace their union. The 
eldest son, Harry, is a graduate of the Iowa Uni- 
versity at Iowa City, and is the editor of the 
Daily Herald, of Litchfield, 111. He is a brilliant 
orator, a strong and forcible writer, and will un- 
questionably make his mark in the world. The 
next son, Bert, was also educated at Iowa Cit}', 
and is now a trusted helper and book-keeper in 
his father's large store in Williamsburgh. Joseph 
is a clerk in the extensive clothing house of Harris 
& Kell}', in Chicago, of which his father is a 
partner. 

Settling in Williamsburgh in 1887, Mr. Kelly 
here engaged in the mpicantile business, and now 



582 



POxiTRAlT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



has one of the largest, if not indeed the largest, 
house of the kind in Iowa County. In 1883 he 
was one of the incorporators of the Williamsburgh 
Savings Bank, of which lie is now President. In 
1887 our subject was elected to the State Senate 
from his district, and was re-elei;ted in 1891. He 
was honored by being elected President pro tern of 
the Senate, and by being placed on many of the 
leading committees. A life-long Democrat, he is 
very pronounced in his views, and defends them 
without fear or favor. He is a prominent Knight 
Templar, and a thoroughlj' public-spirited man, 
doing all in his power to advance the best inter- 
ests of his constituents and fellow-citizens. 



l-^-^l 



^M LBERT M. HUBBARD, a prosperous and 
( @/Li| [ leading agriculturist of Newport Town- 

/// 14 ship, Johnson County, Iowa, has experi- 
^) enced a varied career in life. As a 

young man he enjoyed extended advantages of 
travel, tauglit school, was in the employ of the 
Government, and for a brief time served as an en- 
enlisted soldier. In later life, settling down to 
the peaceful avocation of the tiller of the soil, he 
has received official positions of trust within the 
limits of his township, and discharging the duties 
of office with energetic abilitj', has won the high 
esteem and confidence of the general public. He 
was born in Erie County, Ohio, September 2, 1834, 
and was the son of Elisha A. Hubbard, who was 
born in Hadley, Mass., but who passed the last 
thirteen years of his life with our subject, and 
died in April, 1880. The paternal grandfather, 
Ilezekiah Hubbard, also born in the Old Bay- 
State, and a native of Hadley, resided in Ohio in 
his later years, and died in Castalia in 18.55. 

The mother of our subject, Amanda (Falley) 
Hubbard, was born in Westfield, Mass. She passed 
away August 13, 1875, at the home of our subject 
more than four years prior to her husband's death. 
Richard Falley, the maternal grandfather, was born 
in Massachusetts and died in Ohio. The Ealleys, 



who are of French descent, came to America in a 
very early da3' in the history of our country, the 
maternal great-grandfather, Richard Falley, hav- 
ing been born in Maine, .January 31, 1740. The 
Hubbards, who are of English ancestry, were also 
among the pioneer settlers who aided the Colon- 
ists in their struggle for independence. Albert M. 
Hubbard received a good common-school educa- 
tion in his birthplace, and at nineteen years of 
age began life for himself, then going to sea as a 
captain's clerk. Safel3' embarked, he sailed from 
New York on one of the old-line clippers for Mel- 
bourne, Australia, and thence proceeded to Bom- 
baj', Singapore, Hong-Kong, Canton, and gliding 
up the Yang-tse-Kiang River visited Shang-Hai. 
The great metropolis of London, with its dense fogs 
and millions of inhabitants, was the next point of 
interest, and then came the return to New York. 

The succeeding trip carried Mr. Hubbard to the 
shoresof the Pacific, and gave him glimpses of San 
Francisco and Valparaiso, and he then went back 
to Baltimore. After forsaking the sea, our sub- 
ject engaged at Castalia, Ohio, as a teacher and con- 
tinued in this employment for three or fouryears, 
when, on account of failing health, he abandoned 
the post of instructor and was variously occupied 
during the time which intervened before he came 
to Iowa. He served in the early part of the Civil 
War as a soldier, but only for a short time, and 
later became an employe of the Government at 
the headquarters of the Army of the Cumberland. 
Our subject was about thirty-two years of age 
when, in the summer of 1866, he purchased a one 
hundred and twenty acre tract of land on sections 
1 and 2, Newport Township, and locating perma- 
nently, at once entered upon the cultivation of 
his homestead, which is now highly improved, hav- 
ing excellent bai'ns and sheds and a commodious 
and substantial residence, attractive in interior 
and exterior. 

Mr. Hubbard was united in marriage in Erie 
County, Ohio, September 4, 1866, with Miss Emma 
Budd, who was born in Erie County, October, 13, 
1846. Four children blessed the home with their 
presence: Meribel, Ashbel B., Edgar A. and Mabel 
M. The loving wife and mother left her family 
many years ago, having died September 13, 187'J. 



|8*C^M '-iS^^'" 



«>,-^-<| 



1 



X 




'f . ^-2-: cy^/^^i-^n^ 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



585 



Our subject has been the valued Secretary of the 
School Board for twenty years and upward, and 
Lsis also served with faithful clDciency as Trustee 
and Township Clerk of Newport Township. A 
man of more than ordinary ability and excellent 
judgment, he has assisted with word and deed in 
the advancement of the leading enterprises of the 
township, and has been an especially important 
factor in the upward progress of the district 
schools. Earnest in purpose and deeply interested 
in the local and national issues of the day, he is 
widely known as a progressive and public-spirited 
citizen. 



EBENEZER MOODY ADAMS, ex-County 
Supervisor, and an honored member of the 
Pioneer Society of Johnson County, Iowa, 
has been a leading agriculturist of this part of t!ie 
State for fift3'-four years, and during this time has 
held with faithful ability various offices of pub- 
lic trust, mainly in Cedar Township, where he 
has constantly resided for fifty-two years. Our 
subject was born in Rumford Falls, Me., Septem- 
ber 7, 1811, and was the son of .John E. Adams, a 
native of Maine and a grandson of Enoch Adams, of 
Massachusetts, a tanner by trade, and a brave man 
who served with fidelity in the Revolutionary 
War. Grandfather Adams was an early settler in 
Maine, where, owning alarm, he later pursued the 
peaceful avocation of a tiller of the soil, and, his 
labors finished, died at an advanced age. The 
forefathers of his familj' came from England in the 
"Mayflower" and were among the sturdy colonists 
who laid the firm foundation of our national in- 
dependence. John E. Adams, the father of our 
subject, was for a time a farmer in Maine, but in 
1826 removed with his family to Ohio, and pur- 
chased land six miles from Cleveland, where he re- 
sumed .agricultural pursuits. 

The land in this part of Ohio was th(!ii heavil\- 
timl)ered and sparsely settled, and the family 
shared in many exciting and novel experiences of 



frontier life. Between fourteen and fifteen years 
later, Father Adams came to Iowa, arriving in the 
fall of 1841, and soon after was taken ill and died 
in the prime of his usefulness, at fifty-seven years 
of age. Having served gallantly' at the head of 
his regiment in the War of 1812, he always re- 
tained his title and was popularly known to the 
general public as Col. Adams. His excellent wife, 
Sarah (Moody) Adams, a native of Massachusetts, 
was of English descent and was a valued member of 
the Presbyterian Church. She passed away in 
18.35, having been the mother of nine children, of 
whom three survive. Our subject was the fourth 
in order of birth, and was reared upon a farm, at- 
tending, during the winter months, the little log 
schoolhouse two miles distant. He dutifully re- 
mained at home, assisting his parents, until about 
twenty j-ears of age, when he worked out for 
112 per month, continuing in this employment 
four years. In the meantime, having attained his 
majority, he purchased fifty acres of land on time, 
and out of |il44 a year wages, carefully saved llOO 
to pay for it. Finally taking possession of his 
property, he began diligently to improve the farm, 
and being exceedingly handy with carpenter's tools 
built him a house, a new thing in that region of 
country, •which as yet had been satisfied with log 
cabins. 

At the expiration of a year, Mr. Adams sold his 
first purchase and bought him another homestead, 
where he continued the cultivation of the land. 
He was married in 1836 to Miss Sallie Gleason, of 
Ohio, who lived to become the mother of one 
child, Decatur C, now a resident of Missouri, and 
after one year of wedded happiness she passed 
away, in 1837. After the death of his estimable 
wife, our subject longed for a change of scene, 
and journeyed to the West, traveling by canal to 
Weeding, W. Va., then down the Ohio, reaching 
St. Louis with but twenty-five cents in his pocket. 
In looking for work he met a cousin, who shared a 
few dollars with him, and the^' came up the Miss- 
issippi River to Muscatine, where Mr. Adams re- 
mained for some time looking for employment 
and prospecting in the immediate vicinity. After 
a time he accepted the job of building a ferry- 
boat at $1 per foot, and wliip-sawcd all his mate- 



586 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



rial, later building two other boats, and when his 
work was done lie received $20 in gold, which 
was partially applied to tiie full payment of his 
debts, and he then departed for Illinois. In this 
latter State he at once found work in the harvest 
field at $1 per day, and continued in agricultural 
employment during the fall and winter. He had 
previously taken up a claim eight miles west of 
Muscatine, and in November, 1838, when the land 
came into market, he bought it and paid thirty- 
three per cent, for the use of the money which he 
was necessarily obliged to borrow for one 3'ear. 
In the meantime he gave his father a power of 
attorney to dispose of his Ohio farm, as he had de- 
cided to make his future home in the West. 

In 1839 our suliject came to Johnson Count}', and 
rented a large farm south of Iowa City, and later 
located a claim in Cedar Township, upon which he 
immediatel}' made improvements, still farming 
near Iowa City. He iiad unfortunately lost the 
land adjacent to Muscatine, and when the money 
from ills Ohio property came he invested a part of 
his cash in a breaking team of oxen, and diligently 
set himself to work to make good his past reverses. 
In 18.02, Mr. Adams permanently located upon his 
present homestead in Cedar Township, where he 
built a log house, and amid the Indians, deer, and 
the wolves, whose howlings made night hideous, 
settled down to the life of a pioneer frontiersman. 
The red men were very friendly and visited the 
new-comer, trading him buckskins, out of which he 
handily manufactured his coats and pants. Our 
suljject also wore a buckskin shirt, which thor- 
oughly protected him from the inclemency of the 
weather. The long trips of three days required 
in going to and returning from the mill were 
hard jaunts, but not to be compared to his jour- 
ney to Illinois, made in the winter of 1840 for a 
barrel of Hour. He had to market his pork, going 
across the country to Duliuque, where he was once 
forced to dispose of his entire load foi $1 per hun- 
dred-weight, dressed weight. Before permanently 
settling upon section 31, Cedar Township, in the 
spring of 1852, our subject had, in 18,50, joined the 
stream of travelers crossing overland to California, 
and leaving Iowa April 8, reached the Golden 
State August 8, being four months upon the way. 



Mr. Adams entered into mining without delay, 
and at first engaged on the Mississip[)i Bar, but 
was not successful, but at Marthenyo Creek, 
five miles south of Sacramento, made $17 per 
day. Upon March 1, 1851, our subject started 
upon his return, and coming via the Isthmus 
and from New Orleans by the Mississippi to 
Iowa, was fort3'-one days upon the journey. He 
cleared about 11,000 in eleven months of profit- 
able work, and with the money bought and im- 
proved more land. 

Ebenezer Moody Adams and Miss Henrietta 
Lyon, born in Center County, Pa., in 1819, were un- 
ited in marriage Ma}' 3, 1842. The paternal 
grandfather of Mrs. Adams emigrated from Ireland 
to this country, where the father became an iron- 
master and owned a furnace. He came to Iowa 
in 1839, spent a year in Muscatine, and after a 
brief visit to Cedar Township, returned to Musca- 
tine, where he died soon after. The union of Mr. 
.and Mrs. Adams was blessed by the birth of 
seven children, but two of whom now survive. 
John L. married Miss Isabelle Keen, and farms 
upon the old homestead, which echoes to the 
merry laughter of still another generation, the 
three grandchildren of our subject, Georgia, Rich- 
ard and Robert, there born and reared. Lillie, the 
sole surviving daughter, is the wife of H. S. Fair- 
all, editor of the Republican, of Iowa City. Mr. 
Adams has since his twenty-first birthda}' contin- 
ued to vote the Democratic ticket, casting his bal- 
lot for Jackson in 1836. He served two terms 
most efficiently as County Supervisor of Johnson 
Count}- during the '60s, and holding various posi- 
tions in the township was for a number of }ears 
Trustee, Treasurer and Collector. He has served 
upon important juries many times and in all 
things pertaining to the general welfare has ever 
proved himself a public-spirited and progressive 
citizen. 

Our subject built tlie first sawmill erected in 
Johnson County. It was eight-horse power and 
could saw three thousand feet a day. After a 
time he built a steam sawmill, which he profitably 
ran ten years. Mr. Adams also bought and oper- 
ated the first threshing-machine and the first 
reaper in this part of the county, and in 1830, 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



587 



while living in Cleveland, Ohio, made what he 
thinks was the first bob-sled ever used; at any 
rate, it was the first one he had ever seen or heard of. 
Throughout the vicissitudes of his honorable career 
he has ever preserved the resolution and courage 
which sustained him in younger days and has so 
materially contributed to his ultimate success in 
life. Our subject owned three hundred and six- 
teen acres of valuable land, but has given away 
and sold a portion, yet retaining two hundred and 
fifty acres. Blessed witli prosperity and still 
spared the companionship of his faithful wife, 
their golden wedding day having occurred about 
one year ago, Mr. Adams is a living example of 
the true, earnest and self-reliant American citizen, 
who, triumphing over difficulties and adversities, 
wins his upward wa}- to assured success. Mrs. 
Adams is a devout member of the Methodist Epis- 
copal Churcli, and with her husband has ever been 
mindful of the poor and needy, who have never 
been turned empty-handed from their hospitable 
door. Together our subject and his wife have 
shared the heat and labor of the day and now in 
the evening of their age enjoy the retrospect of 
many happy years and rest secure in tlie confi- 
dence, esteem and kindly regard of all who know 
them. 



= — ° y) > 



ON. JAMES PATTERSON is a successful 
and well-known farmer of Honey Creek 
Township, and is not onl}' ren<lering his 
^ country valuable service as a member of 
the State Legislature, but also as an industrious 
farmer and law-abiding citizen. He was born in 
.Aliami County, Ohio, October 22, 1837, a son of 
Alexander Patterson, who was born in the Blue 
Grass regions of Kentucky, being descended from 
Scotch-Irish parents. The grandparents, who were 
of Scotch lineage, came to America in an early 
day, and followed farming in Kentucky and Ohio, 
the grandfather's death occurring in Ohio when 
over seventy years of age. He reared a large 



famil3' of children, of whom Alexander was one 
of the older members. The latter was taken to 
Ohio by his parents at the age of two years, and was 
there reared on a pioneer woodland farm, and he 
continued to follow agriculture after starting in 
life for himself, being considered an extensive and 
prosperous farmer for that period. After his mar- 
riage in Ohio, he came overland to Iowa, and set- 
tled in Honey Creek Township, where he purchased 
a tract of land, and at once erected thereon a log 
cabin, into which he and his wife moved. He pos- 
sessed a very strong constitution, and was therefore 
enabled to carry on the heavy work which was nec- 
essary on an unbroken farm, and by good man.age- 
ment his estate comprised in time five hundred 
acres of good and well-improved land. After a 
well-spent life of sixty-seven j'ears, death called 
him from the scenes of his earthl3' labors. He had 
for man^f years been a member of the Presbyterian 
Church, and was quite a radical Democrat in 
politics. He was a m.in of such good judgment and 
sound principles that he for years served his county 
as a member of the Board of Supervisors. His wife 
was formerly Miss Sarah Templeton, a native of 
Ohio, to which State her people removed from 
Pennsylvania. She and her husband reared five 
children: Lemuel, James, John,Bculah J. and Lina. 
The mother's career was closed at the age of 
forty-five years, she being a member of the same 
church as her husband and a devout Christian. 

James Patterson, the subject of this sketch, has 
been a resident of Iowa County since 1854. Not 
only did he attend the district schools of Ohio, 
but also after coming to Iowa, .and being a sensible 
youth, he made the most of iiis opportunities and 
made fair progress in his studies. Upon attaining 
his majority he began for himself, and was thus 
laboring when the news came of the firing on 
Ft. Sumter. Mr. Patterson at once cast aside all 
personal considerations, and enthusiastically es- 
poused his country's cause, enlisting in September, 
1861, in Company G, Eighth Iowa Infantry, be- 
ing mustered into the service at Davenport. He 
was in Missouri and Tennessee, and was in the 
bloody and disastrous battle of Pittsburgh Land- 
ing, where he was taken prisoner and kept in 
captivity three months at Tuscaloosa, Ala. He 



588 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



was then paroled, and returned to St. Louis, where 
he was exclianged. He next took part in the en- 
gagements at Jackson, and at the siege of Vicks- 
burg, after which he was transferred to tlie 
Thirty-flftli Iowa Regiment, with which he went 
on the Red River expedition. He was mustered 
out of the service in September, 1864, and returned 
to his home to once more take upon himself tlie 
duties of a civilian, and was soon after united in 
marriage to Miss Mar3' Beeni, a native of Indiana, 
who came with her parents to Iowa in 1852. Of 
a family of thirteen children born to them, two 
are deceased. 

After his marriage, Mr. Patterson settled on a 
farm one mile north of his present place, which 
became his home in 1881. All the buildings on 
the place have been erected since that time, and he 
has a beautiful frame residence and well-arranged 
and constructed barns. His home farm comprises 
one hundred and sixty acres, and he has fort3'-five 
acres on the river bottom. He has been engaged 
in general farming, in which he has shown good 
judgment and been reasonably successful. He 
has always been a stanch Democrat, and on that 
ticket was elected to represent Iowa Count}' in 
the C4eneral Assembly of the State in the fall of 
1891, and in this eapacitj' he is still efficiently and 
satisfactorily serving He is an able ofticial, and is 
alive to the interests of his section. He has never 
been an .aspirant for office, and was elected to his 
present rcsi)onsible position on liis own merits. 



/^ HARLES E. SMITH, a prosperous agricul- 
(l( ^ turist and successful carpenter and builder, 
^^f now residing on section 14, Scott Town- 
ship, Johnson County, Iowa, is an able and ener- 
getic man, of excellent business attainments, and 
has not only brought his valuable liomestead of 
eighty acres up to a fine state of cultivation, and 
further improved the property by the addition of 
substantial buildings, but h.as also in the meantime 
largely increased his income b}' the constant prac- 



tice of his trade. Leading a life of busy industry, 
our subject has yet found time to materially aid 
in the best interests of his locality and has held 
various important offices of the township, discharg- 
ing the duties of each position with efficient and 
faithful fidelity. Charles E. Smith is a native of 
Indiana and was born in Jay County August G, 
184-2. 

The paternal and maternal ancestors of our sub- 
ject, who were among the very early settlers of 
Ohio, were well known and highly esteemed. In the 
Buckeye State the father and mother, Edmund and 
Eliza (Dutton) Smith, were born, but not long after 
their marriage they settled in Jaj' County, Ind., 
where later they both died. The maternal grand- 
father, Joseph Dutton, who was born in Colum- 
biana County, Ohio, spent his entire life in that 
portion of the good old State, and in his native 
county his daughter, Mrs. Smith, was born. Our 
subject was the fourth of the nine children born 
unto his father and mother, and was reared in the 
home of his infancy and received the excellent 
educational advantages of the district schools of 
his neighborhood. Trained from his earliest 
childhood in habits of self-reliant industry, he 
learned the carpenter's trade in Jay and Wabash 
Counties and made this occupation his main busi- 
ness from that time forth. 

In the fall of 1865, Mr. Smith came to Cedar 
County, Iowa, where he received [)rofitable em- 
ployment and remained until 1870, then removing 
to Johnson Count}' and settling permanently in 
his present home in Scott Township. Upon the 
(Uli of April, 1867, in Johnson Count}-, our sub- 
ject was united in marriage with Miss Deborah J. 
Leech, who was born in Ohio, October 20, 1842. 
The pleasant home of Mr. and Mrs. Smith lias 
been blessed by the birth of eight children, of 
whom six are yet living. Two little ones died in 
infancy. The surviving sons and daugiiters are, 
Walter D., Emory A., Reuben T., Ellen E., Mary 
K. and Carrie E., all social favorites, with a large 
circle of friends and acquaintances. Mr. Smith ie 
a member of the Society of Friends and together 
with his family ably assists in the promotion and 
extension of religious work and influence. Our 
subject enlisted in August, 1863, in the service of 





'(rrzC 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



591 



the Government, and entering the ranks of Com- 
(jany C, One Hundred and Eighteenth Indiana In- 
fantry, for seven mouths bravely engaged in the 
struggle for national existence. He is an honored 
member of Noland Jlorrison Post.G. A. R., of West 
Branch, and enjoys the pleasant reunions of the 
order, whose gatlierings vividly recall the troub- 
lous days when, true to their God and country, the 
"boys in blue" marched on to victory. 



*^=^^I@^@I^M^^ 



lEUT. JERKJUAII B. SWAFKORDis a true 
ty|)e of the hardy pioneer and the lo_yal 
citizen, valiant and true in both times of 
peace and war. ■ Leaving his family, he enlisted 
August 6, 1862, in the defense of his country, be- 
coming a member of Company D, Twenty-fourth 
Iowa Infantry, of which he was made First Cor- 
poral. He saw hard service, and participated in 
many important battles, the first of which was 
that of Ft. Gibson, which was followed May 16 by 
that of Champion Hill, when his company lost 
twenty-two men out of forty-seven in the brief 
space of fifteen minutes. He sustained a serious 
injury, a ball having entered his right leg just 
above the knee. Thus disabled, he was easily taken 
prisoner, and as the rebels were too busy in caring 
for their wounded soldiers, he was obliged to at- 
tend to his injuries himself. He was only held 
captive over night, and on the third day after the 
battle one of the Union physicians insisted on 
amputating his leg, which he would not permit. 
He was then sent to the hospital at Memphis, from 
which he was given a thirty-days furlough, which 
he availed himself of, returning home. He joined 
his regiment at New Iberia, La., having been ab- 
sent from their ranks for six montlis. With them 
he went up the Red River, under command of 
Gen. Banks, where they took part in the battle of 
Sabine Cross Roads, after which they returned to 
the Crescent City. They then advanced up the 
Siienandoah Valley under Gen. Sheridan, and while 
engaged in the battle of Cedar Cieek, tlint famous 



General passed on his noted ride from Winchester. 
Mr. Swafford was wounded by a piece of shell, 
which grazed the back of his head, but which did 
not prevent him from keeping to his post of duty. 
Ho was sent to Savannah in January, 1865, where 
they were ordered to relieve Sherman 's army at 
Goldsborough, N. C. F'rom that point they re- 
turned to Savannah, where they were mustered 
out July 17, 1865. Mr. Swafford rose step by step 
until he was made First Lieutenant at Parkersburg, 
W. Va. He draws a pension of $8 per month. 

The Swafford family is of Scotch descent, being 
early settlers of North Carolina. The father of 
our subject, Jeremiah Swafford, was born in that 
State, and came to Indiana, locating in Henry 
Count}-, where he cleared a farm, and was among 
the early settlers. In 1837, he removed to Illinois, 
where he resided until his death in 1844, at which 
time he was about seventy-five years of age. He 
enlisted as a soldier in the War of 1812, but peace 
was declared before he was mustered in. His wife 
was before her marriage Miss Martha Goodwin, 
and came of an old Southern family, of Scotch ex- 
traction. They were of the strict Hard-shell Bap- 
tist denomination. She was called from this life 
in 1832. 

Our subject is the tenth child in order of birth, 
and the j'oungest sou of thirteen children, of 
whom he has but three brothers and one sister now 
living. He was reared to manhood on a farm, and 
received such advantages as were afforded by the 
primitive subscription schools of those early days. 
The schoolhouse he attended was made of logs, 
with slab seats, and greased paper for window 
lights. He assisted his father in clearing and car- 
ing for his farm in Indi.Tna, and after coming to 
Illinois helped him in breaking the prairie. In 
1839 he struck out from home, and for some time 
engaged in teaming in New Boston. He afterward 
carried the mail on horseback from that point to 
Rock Island, III., once a week. 

In July, 1840, he came to Iowa Citj-, in Johnson 
Count}', which then comprised seven log houses. 
He passed his first years in this State in freighting 
from the mouth of the Iowa River to that city. In 
the spring of 1842 he went to work on a farm in 
Cedar Township, at -iil.'i a month. Aftera time he 



592 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



entered forty acres of land on section 9, where lie 
erected a log house, to which he brought his bride, 
who was formeil}' Miss Julia, daughter of Allen C. 
Sutliff, whose sketch api)ears elsewhere in this 
Rkcokd. Their marriage was celebrated March 21, 
1843. For man}' years their life was a typical pio- 
neer existence, which, though it brought many 
privations and hard labor, was yet happy and use- 
ful. They had but few neighbors, and those re- 
sided many miles, perhaps, distant. Wild animals 
and the wandering Indians also added much to 
the danger and novelty of life in those times. 
The roads were marked by a furrow, and plowed 
by six yokes of oxen hitched to a breaking-plow. 
Mr. Swafford was obliged to go to mill to Du- 
l)uque, and as far as Davenport to dispose of 
dressed [lork, for which he received 11.50 a hun- 
dred-weight, with the proceeds obtaining provi- 
sions for his family. 

Mr. and Mrs. Swafford have had seven children, 
a record of whom is as follows: Elmira, the wife of 
Alonzo Minick, a farmer iu this township; Allen 
C, deceased: Calvin G., who resides in Linn 
County, Iowa; Louis G., who is married and en- 
gaged in farming in Monroe Township, this county; 
Eva and Ada deceased; and Mina, who is a suc- 
cessful teacher. A granddaughter, Julia, resides 
with our subject, her [larents both being deceased. 
Mr. Swafford, who is a lo^'al Republican, has been 
Assessor of the township for two years, and has 
always taken a prominent part in its welfare and 
progress. 



^>^^<m 



\||AMES SIMPSON, the able, energetic and 
enterprising President of the Farmers' Sav- 
ings Bank, at Victor, Iowa, and a constant 
resident of this locality for the past twenty- 
three years, has, as a private individual and an 
honored public official, been closely identified 
with the best interests and local enterprises of the 
town, liberallj' aiding in the promotion of its up- 
ward growth and progress. Our subject was born 



in Forfarshire, Scotland, Januaiy 29, 1832, and 
was the fourth of the five sons born unto William 
and Julia (Gould) Simpson, who were both natives 
of Old Scotia and there were reared, educated and 
married. In 1847, AVilliam Simpson and his fam- 
ily embarked for America, .and experienced a long 
and stormy passage, lasting six weeks. Safely 
landed, it was but a brief time before the Scotch 
emigrants were comfortably housed upon a farm 
in the Empire State, where the father profitably 
eng.aged in the duties of agriculture until 1856, at 
which period of time he removed with his family 
to the then far West and located iu Iowa County. 

Without any unnecessary loss of time William 
Simpson thriftily resumed again the avocation of 
the tiller of the soil, but subseciuently engaged in 
tiie furniture business in Victor. The mother died 
about 1860, but the father survived until October 
13, 1877, and passed away at seventy-eight years 
of age. The parents, sound Presbyterians in faith, 
were industrious, intelligent, law-abiding and up- 
right citizens, and from the earliest childhood of 
their sons trained them up to habits of self-reliant 
industry-. IJut two of our subject's brothers now 
survive: Andrew H., a prominent attorney of Kan- 
sas City; and John G., a well-known builder and 
contractor of Denver, Colo. James Simpson w.as 
fifteen years of age when he accompanied his 
father and mother to the United States. He had 
received a good common-school education in iiis 
native land and after his arrival upon American 
shores, assisted his father in the duties of farming, 
until, at twenty years of age, he began serving an 
apprenticeship to the blacksmith's trade. He was 
at this time in Chautauqua County, N. Y., and 
when he had acquired his trade he continued 
to work in Sherman for the succeeding two years. 

Our subject removed to Wheatland, Hillsdale 
County, Mich, in 1855, and there followed his 
trade of blacksmithmg until 1861, when he made 
Round Lake, Lenawee County, his home and, en- 
gaged in the dual work of a farmer and blacksmith, 
spent nine profitable years. Upon February 1, 
1870, Mr. Simpson located permanently in Victor, 
Iowa County, and has since been engaged in the 
lumber business. Our subject was united in mar- 
riage ui)on September 17, 1854, with Miss Try- 



PORTRAIT AND BTOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



593 



phena Eastman, a native of CliaiitaiKiiia County, 
N. Y., where lier parents, born in Vermont, liad 
early made tlieir home, afterward emigrating to 
Hillsdale County, Mich., and settling in AVheat- 
land, where they both died. The pleasant home 
of Mr. and Mrs. Simpson has been blessed by the 
birth of four children, two sons and two daughters. 
W. D. is married and in the hardware and furniture 
business in Victor; John F., also married, is asso- 
ciated with his father in the lumber business; Lois 
A. is the wife of H. S. Lowery, a farmer near Victor; 
Minnie B. died February 17, 1886. These sons 
.and daughter all enjoyed excellent educational 
advantages and when they began life for them- 
selves were well fitted through natural gifts and 
early training to worthily assume the responsibili- 
ties which they accepted. 

Our subject and his estinialjle wife are valued 
members of the Methodist Episcopal Church and 
active workers in that religious organization. Mr. 
Simpson has been a Class-leader and Sunday-school 
Superintendent, and is liberal in the promotion of 
benevolent enterprise. Fraternally he is associated 
with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, 
and is a member of Lodges Nos. 192 and 112, 
A. O. Li. W. Financially our subject has been 
prospered. He was a prominent factor in the 
organization of the Farmers' .Savings Bank of 
Victor, of which he is a stockholder, Director and 
President. He also owns, aside from his business 
and other investments, considerable valuable prop- 
erty in the flourishing town of Victor. Mr. 
Simpson began life unaided, and has steadily won 
his way upward to assured competence. Politically 
he is a stalwart Republican, and has held various 
oflicial positions, disciiarging the duties assigned to 
him with faithful care and etiiciency. For ten 
years he served with great satisfaction to the gen- 
eral public as a Justice of the Peace and has been 
a member of the Village Council for many 
changing seasons. He has also ably filled the oflice 
of Township Treasurer and Collector. A friend 
to educational progress, he has, as a member of the 
School Board, aided in estalilishing a higher grade 
of scholarship and instruction in the schools of 
Victor, and to his earnest efforts many of the local 
improvements are mainly due. Our sul)ject has 



been a delegate to various State and county- con- 
ventions and, ably representing the views of his 
constituents and sustaining his position with con- 
vincing argument, has won the esteem and 
confidence of a host of friends and neighbors, who 
appreciate his sterling integrity of character, his 
public-spirited liberality and broad intelligence. 






PREEMAN E. BODINE is a prosperous and 
; highl^'-esteemed citizen of Malcom Town- 
/i\ ship, Poweshiek County', residing on sec- 

tion 8. He was born near Ovid, Seneca County, 
N. Y., October 8, 1822, his parents being Gilbert 
and Harriet (Swarthout) Bodine. The father, who 
was a native of Pennsylvania, was a son of 
Cornelius Bodine, of German descent. His family 
belonged to the persecuted Huguenots, who were 
expelled from France, afterward locating in the 
German Empire. The mother of our subject w,is 
born in Seneca County, N. Y., and was a daughter 
of Barne3' Swarthout, who was of Dutch ancestry. 
Both families when tliey first settled in the Em- 
pire .State were slaveholders. 

Freeman E. Bodine, of this sketch, spent his boy- 
hood on his father's farm and received the com- 
mon-school advantages. In the spring of 1850, get- 
ting the prevalent "gold fever," he left his home 
and went to California by way of the Isthmus of 
Panama. After mining with fair success for two 
years he abandoned that occupation on account of 
his health, and engaged in fanning in the San Jose 
and San Juan Valleys. In November, 1856, he re- 
turned to New York, taking the Nicaragua route. 
After remaining with his parents for a short time 
he turned his face Westward, and for a year lived 
near Aurora, 111., after which, coming to this 
county, he purchased a 'farm in Malcom Township, 
on section 8, where he has since made his home. 
On the place, which was then wild land, great 
changes have been made during the pa.ssing 3'ears, 
until it is now a well-improved farm, comprising 
two hundred and fortv acres, which yield obund- 



594 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



ant tribute for the care and cultivation bestowed 
upon them by the owner. 

On the 3d of November, 1858, Mr. Bodme and 
Elmira M. Simpson, a native of Ovid, Seneca 
County, N. Y., were united in marriage. She was 
called from this life March 13, 1860, leaving two 
children, a son and daughter: Frank, now of Chi- 
cago; and Cora, wlio is deceased. On January 8, 
1862, ]Mr. Bodine was again united in marriage. 
Miss Margaret Shirley, also of Seneca County, be- 
coming his wife at that time. Their union was 
graced by tlie birtii of two sons: George G., now 
of I'ocatcllo, Idaho; and Harry, who lives with his 
father. On January 15, 1878, the affectionate 
wife and tender mother was called to her final 
abode, her death taking place in P'ayette, in her 
native county. She was a beautiful Christian, 
one who had the love and admiration of all wlio 
had the great pleasure of making her acquaint- 
ance. Mr. Bodine is a member of the Ancient 
Free & Accepted Masons and is much interested in 
the Farmers' Alliance, of whicli he is a member. 
He is highly esteemed as a citizen for his 
personal qualities of sterling worth and unques- 
tioned merit. 




acres comprised in his home farm on sections 34 
and 35, and an additional tract of one hundred 
and sixty acres in Fremont Township. He has 
erected good buildings,his residence being second to 
none in the county. He has made all the improve- 
ments himself and for several years has been much 
assisted by his industrious sons, who are devoted 
to their father's interests and are bound to be- 
come flrst-class farmers. 

John Stock was born in Bedfordshire, Kngland, 
Januury 23, 1833, and was the eighth in order of 



birth of a family comprising thirteen children, 
whose parents were John and Sarah (Sampson) 
Stock. Four of the brothers left their native 
shores, and, crossing the broad Atlantic, cast in 
their lot with the inhabitants of this favored 
land. William died in C4eorgia, where he made 
his home for a number of years, and where his 
family now resides. Joseph is also a resident of one 
of the Southern States, while George lives in the 
land of flowers — Florida. John^ who was one of 
the four who came to the United States in 1854, 
went directly to Huron County, Ohio, where he 
remained for two years, after which he decided 
to go furtiier West, and, accordingly, in the win- 
ter of 1856-57 settled in Johnson County. For 
several years he engaged in different occupations, 
and with his carefully kept savings purchased a 
small piece of land in Muscatine County, which 
he afterward sold to good advantage. In 1861 
he became a member of the First Iowa Cavalry, 
but when the company left for Southern battle- 
fields he was not notified, and, in company with 
Theodore Tremble and David Reynolds, was left 
behind. Thus, though perfectly willing and ready 
to take ui) arms in defense of his adopted coun- 
try, by this slight accident his services were not 
called into recjuisition. 

In 1866 Mr. Stock was married to Miss Emma, 
daughter of John Reynolds, and two or three 
^•ears after purchased his present farm on section 
35. The land which is now comprised within the 
boundaries of his farm was not, however, pur- 
chased all at that time, but he has since added 
adjoining property as his resources would permit. 
Nine childien, of whom six are still living, have 
graced the union of Mr. and Mrs. Stock: Annie, 
wife of John P. Burr, a farmer of this township; 
George A., William F., Walter H., Ellmer L. and 
Freddie. Three sons, Frankie, Henry and John- 
nie, are deceased. 

Our subject and his amiable wife are faithful 
members of the Reformed Episcopal Church. Our 
subject is a stanch Democrat, and has acted as 
Assessor in Lincoln Township for two years, prov- 
ing himself a thoroughly efficient and trust- 
worthy oflticer. Every tiling pertaining to better 
educational f.acilities meets with his heart}' ap- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



597 



proval and loyal co-operation, and for a number 
of jears he lias been a membei' of the School 
Board. By his habits of industiy, economy and 
strong determination to win his way, he has 
■overcome all difHculties one b3' one, and maj' well 
be proud of the enviable position he holds among 
the leading agriculturists of the county. 



|I^^ EXRY .1. SPRINGMIRE, a very prominent 
if jl farmer, earl^' settler and esteemed citizen 
/4W^ of Clear Creek Township, Johnson County, 
(^; Iowa, is the subject of the present sketch. 
He was born in Iowa City, March 1, 1845, a son 
of Henry J. Springmire, a native of Hanover, Ger- 
many, where he was reared, coming to America 
about 1840, when still a young man. Iowa City 
became his first home, and there he worked by the 
daj'and month until he had accumulated enough to 
purchase land, at which time he bought a Govern- 
ment claim in Clear Creek Township. His death 
occurred in Kansas, when he was about sixtj'-seven 
years old. The mother of our subject was also a 
native of German}^ but her death took place here, 
in her se veil ty -second j'ear. She had been the 
kind mother of five chikhen, three daughters and 
two sons, all of whom grew to maturitj'. Prior to 
her marriage to Mr. Springmire, she was the widow 
of a Mr. Cuttler, and was tiie motlier of three 
children from that union, who are Barbara, Mrs. 
Stewart, and Mary, Mrs. Louis, both of whom 
were born in Germany; and Margaret, Mrs. Ilud- 
not, who was the first white child born in .Johnson 
County, Iowa. 

Tlie cliildren of the second marriage of Mrs. 
Springmire are: Hcnr^' J., our subject; Eudora, 
the widow of John Ditto, of Kansas; Joseph A., 
of Hardin Township, Johnson County; Cath- 
erine C, tlie wife of Jacob Holtzhauser, of John- 
son County; and Sarah Jane, the wife of Robert 
Anthony, who lives on the old homestead, on sec- 
tion 4, Clear Creek Township. Our subject, who 

27 



is the eldest child of the Springmire family, was 
reared in Johnson Countj% and remained with his 
parents until he married, the latter event taking 
place in Memphis, Mo., September 16, 1866, when 
Miss Rachel W. Denney became his wife. She was 
born in Carroll County, Ohio, Fel)ruary 4, 1847, 
a daughter of Joseph Denne}', a native of Green 
County, Pa., born December 5, 1806. His father, 
John Denney, was born in London, England, Feb- 
ruary 14, 1762. He was made a prisoner on the sea 
during the Revolutionary War, and was brought 
to America, and carried arms in the American army 
for six months. 

The father of Mrs. Springmire, who alwaj-s fol- 
lowed the occupation of a farmer, came to Iowa in 
1861, and spent his last days with his daughter, 
dying on the 13th of February, 1893. The mother 
of Mrs. Springmire was before marriage Elizabeth 
Myers. She was born in Washington, Pa., in 1812, 
and passed out of life in 1861. Mr. and Mrs. Den- 
ney were the parents of three daughters and one 
son: Hannah is the wife of Jolin G. Walker, of Mis- 
souri; Mary J. is the wife of Freeman S. Gilliland, 
of Shelby County, Iowa; and Mrs. Springmire 
is the 3-oungest of the f am 113-. She was about 
twelve years old when she came to Johnson County, 
Iowa. She attended the grammar school in the 
Third Ward in Iowa Cit}-, later became a student at 
St. Agatha's School, and then entered the univer- 
sity, becoming thoroughly educated. She is now a 
lad}' of great intelligence and most pleasing man- 
ners. 

Immediatel}' after marriage, our subject located 
on the old homestead, where he remained for two 
years, engaging in general farming, but in 1868 he 
removed to the farm on section 32 where he now 
resides. Mr. and Mrs. Springmire are the parents 
of two daughters and seven sons, the family rec- 
ord reading as follows: Fanny L., born August 9, 
1867, attending the Iowa Cit}- schools; Yernon 
J. D., born July 18, 1869; Edward W., November 
26, 1870; Joseph H., April 13, 1872; Philo C, 
November 23, 1873; Thomas R., December 5, 1875; 
William C, December 12, 1877; Henri B., August 
2, 1880; and Grace M., March 24, 1883. Mr. 
Springmire has a fine farm of two hundred and 
eight}' acres, the greater part of which is being cul- 



598 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



tivated, he having done all the improving, even to 
the breaking of the land, since coming here. His 
farming and stock-raising have been successful, 
and among the prosperous farmers he takes a 
front rank. In the management of township af- 
fairs, our subject has taken a prominent part, hav- 
ing satisfactorily filled the positions of Road Su- 
pervisor and School IJirector. Politically, he is a 
Republican, always doing his duty as a citizen, 
and taking great interest in the public affairs of 
the Nation. 



J' I AMES CHAMBERLIN, the oldest pioneer set- 
tler of Madison Township, Johnson County, 
j Iowa, and an honored citizen, of sterling in- 
.^^' tegrity of character, has during his more 
than a half-century's residence become an extensive 
land-holder and has occupied with fidelity various 
important positions of trust. A member of the 
School Board for twenty years, a Constable seven 
j-ears, thirty years a Justice of the Peace, and two 
years Countj' Supervisor, the record of his public 
life is an open page, unstained by act of dishonor. 
Our subject is a native of Adams Count}', Pa., and 
was born March 3, 1817. His father, Joseph, was 
also born in the same county. The paternal grand- 
father, Lewis, settled in the Quaker State during 
the last century, but there is no record of his pre- 
vious career. Joseph Chamberlin, the father of 
our subject, emigrated to Indiana in an early day 
and located in Tippecanoe County, near La Fayette, 
in 1831. He improveed afarm,and died in Wiiite 
County at seventy-five years of age. He had been 
prosperous and had held for many years the office 
of Justice of the Peace. In faith he was a Presb^'- 
terian and an excellent man of sterling integrity 
of character. His wife, Margaret McNaj', was .ilso 
a native of Adams County, Pa., and passed peace- 
fully away five 3ears liefore the demise of her hus- 
band, and was seventj'-tive years of age when she 



died. She was a deeply religious woman and, like 
her husband, a Presb3'terian. She was the mother 
of fifteen children, eight of whom lived to ma- 
turity, but onl}' two now survive. 

Our subject was reared on a farm and enjoyed 
but limited advantages for an education, the little 
subscription school of the neighborhood, with slab 
seats and greased paper for window lights, and 
frequently' supplied with crude instructors, was the 
only "temple of learning" in those early days. 
Later he attended night schools with his father 
and learned to "cipher" there. In five days after 
James Chamberlin had attained his majority he 
was united in marriage, up to this time having 
lived with and worked for his father. In the spring 
of 1838 he began asa farmer in Tippecanoe County, 
Ind., and in 1841 journeyed by wagon to Iowa, 
and, buying a claim, settled upon section 2, Madi- 
son Township, Johnson Count}', where a log cabin 
had been almost completed. He entered his land 
and when it came into market purchased it. The 
country was new and could as yet boast of but few 
settlers; those, however, who were in even a distant 
neighborhood were sociable and friendly and glad 
to do a friend or stranger any kindness. The 
Indians, especially, were verj' neighborly and 
visited our subject often, and upon one or two 
occasions invited themselves to st.ay all night. 
The country all about abounded with wild game, 
and deer were especially plentiful. Mr. Chamber- 
lin was a good shot and kept his family well sup- 
plied with meat for the table. In 1872 he visited 
Indian Territory and while upon this trip brought 
down many buffaloes. Never neglecting his work, 
our subject broke the prairie land with patient 
ox-teams and was often obliged to take long trips 
by the same slow conveyance. 

It was necessary for a long time that Mr. Cham- 
berlin should go regularly to Dubuque or Muscatine 
to market his produce, these journeys taking from 
three to seven days, according to wind or weather. 
The lady whom our subject married, March 8, 
1838, was Miss Elizabeth Lainan,of Indiana, whose 
people were early settlers of that State. Mrs. Cham- 
berlin was a most estimable lady and became the 
' mother of nine children, but passed aw.ay in early 
life, dying in 1856. Three of their children died 



POETRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



599 



in iiifanc}', and Rachael A., John C. and Margaret 
D. are also deceased; Lewis E. and Leroy F. sur- 
vive. 

In 1857 our subject was again married, liis sec- 
ond wife being Mrs. Catlierine Snavely, the widow 
of the Rev. Michael F. Snavely, who was killed in 
a great railroad disaster in Joliet, 111. The second 
wife, a ladj' of intelligence and extended informa- 
tion, died August 10, 1892, and left one child, Ira 
James George, who has charge of the old home- 
stead. Mr. Chamberlin ever takes an interest in 
local and national issues, and when twenty-two 
3'ears of age became a AYhig, although he had been 
reared a Democrat. He is now a Republican and 
has in his various olHces been supported by that 
ticket. As Justice of the Peace Mr. Chamberlin 
presided at many weddings and iieard many a law 
suit. He and his first wife were regular attendants 
at the Presbyterian Church, but our subject has 
now been a member of the United Brethren Church 
for thirty-five years and was one of the charter 
members of that religious organization here. He 
has officiated as Class-leader and Steward and been 
one of the prominent and valued members, taking 
an active part in the promotion of religious work 
and influence. His second wife was a member of 
the Church of God and a most worlliy woman and 
sincere Christian. 

Financially our subject has been prospered and 
now owns two hundred and eighty acres of land 
iu Madison Township, and one hundred acres of 
timber, beside which he sold his son one hundred 
and twentj' acres. He has also forty acres of land 
in Marion County, near Hamilton, and is now plac- 
ing his surplus money in mortgages and other 
good investments. With a capital of $18, good 
health and an abundance of hope, our subject 
started out in life, and has by persevering indus- 
try and excellent judgment accumulated a com- 
fortable competence. His most valued posses- 
sion when he arrived in Iowa was the faithful 
and loving wife who was so soon called away. 

In 1863 Mr. Chamberlin went with a party of 
soldiers to Ft. Randall, in what is now South Da- 
kota, accompan3ing the party as a teamster and 
butcher. He has always been fond of travel and 
has been iu various parts of tlie I'nited States and 



has been in seven tj'-three counties of Iowa. Our 
subject was a prominent factor in organizing in the 
Northwest the Farmers' Mutual Insurance Com- 
pany in 1867, the name now being the Johnson 
County Mutual Insurance Company. Mr. Cham- 
berlin was President of the company five years, 
and later was Treasurer, Vice-President and Direc- 
tor, until his failing sight disqualified him for 
work. Upon the 1st of January, 1852, our ob- 
servant subject began to keep a diary, which is in- 
valuable as the record of minutiie not otherwise 
obtainable. In 1891 he abandoned his former cus- 
tom and no longer notes the events of the day. 
His methodical habits have led him to keep every 
receipt he has ever received in Johnson County, 
and he has some odd and quaint papers in the 
large box now carefully cherished and really inval- 
uable. Since 1842 Mr. Chamberlin has subscribed 
regularly for the Iowa City Standard, now the 
Republican. Outside of a historical societj' it 
would be impossible to secure the valuable data 
which our subject has so carefully treasured. Mr. 
Chamberlin relates that iu March, 1842, he seta 
white oak gatepost, which is in good preservation 
after a lapse of fifty-one years. The life of Mr. 
Chamberlin has extended over many 3'ears of busy 
usefulness, and in tlie approaching evening of his 
days he ma3' enj03- the memory of obstacles over- 
come, difficulties surmounted, and later 3'ears 
crowned with abundant success, and rest content 
that "all is well." 



e^-f^§ 



'iTi'AMES FRANCE. In this brief and incom- 
plete review of the life record of a worthy 
j gentleman who has "gone before," facts will 
"^j^/ appear which are greatl3- to his credit, and 
it will readily be seen that his life from youth up 
was not uselessl3' or idly spent. He possessed 
those advanced ideas and progressive principles 
regarding agricultural life which seem to be among 
tiie chief characteristics of the average native 
Ohioan. He was boru iu Stark Count3', being 



600 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



the youngest in a family- of eight children born to 
Daniel France, a native of Pennsylvania, but who 
afterward became a citizen of the Buckeye State, 
where his son James was born, reared and educated. 
The latter removed from the State of his nativity 
to Illinois in 1841, and for some time was en- 
gaged in farming in Rock Island County, to which 
occupation he ever afterward gave his attention. 
In 1849 Miss Margaret Bauer became his wife, she 
being one of five children born to Daniel and 
Margaret (Howard) Bauer, both of whom were 
born in Germany, where they were married and be- 
came the parents of four children: John, now of 
the State of Washington; Mrs. France; Rachel, who 
is now the widow of Leonard Garber, and is a res- 
ident of Mercer County, 111.; and Jacob, who 
makes !iis home in Oregon. In 1842 Mr. Bauer 
with his wife and children crossed the ocean to 
America and made a home for himself in Rock 
Island County, 111. After reaching this country 
another child was born to them, Barbara, who is 
the wife of Adam Schmidt. They live on the old 
home farm in Rock Island County, 111. Mrs. 
Bauer, who was born in 1809, died January 28, 
1893. 

The union of Mr. and Mrs. France proved an 
exceptionally happy one, and resulted in the birth 
of eight children: John; Andrew, of Atlantic, Iowa; 
Henry; Sarah, wife of Richard Huskins; Barbara; 
.Take; James; and Minnie, wife of Herman Wcise, 
of Lincoln Township, Johnson County, Iowa. 
Mr. France was a resident of Johnson County, 
Iowa, from 1865, and upon his arrival in this 
section purchased a farm of eighty acres just 
outside of what is now Lone Tree, the follow- 
ing year purchasing another eighty-acre tract, and 
a few years after two other eighties, becoming the 
owner of a valuable half-section. This property 
was accumulated, not through the assistance of 
wealthy or generous relatives, but b}' hard and 
unceasing labor, for this worthy couple weie very 
poor when they commenced to fight the battle of 
life together. They were honest, generous and 
hi^h-minded, excellent neighbors, warm friends 
and earnest Christians, and were in every way de- 
serving the prosperity which was accorded them. 

Mr. France was a Democrat in his political 



views, supporting that party's principles when 
called upon to do so, and, being a man of intelli- 
gence and well posted on the current topics of the 
day, he alwaj's voted intelligently. He and his 
famil}' became connected with the Methodist Epis- 
copal Church and they aided materially in the 
construction of the Methodist Episcopal Church 
of Lone Tree, and Mr. France was also liberal in his 
support of any enterprise tending to benefit the 
county. The Frances are descended from Ger- 
man ancestors, and some of the best traits of char- 
acter of that worthy people were inculcated 
in Mr. France, and his death, which occurred on 
the 2d of January, 1890, was a source of much re- 
gret to all who knew him, as well as to his own 
immediate family. His father was a soldier in the 
Revolutionary War and in the War of 1812. 






ETER SCHMIDT, an extensive and 
prosperous general farmer and well-known 
stock-raiser, has resided in Washington 
Township, Poweshiek County, Iowa, for 
nearly two-score years and eloquently exemplifies 
the value of a frugal and industrious life, having 
without capital or friends won his upward way to 
a position of wealth and influence. Our subject 
is a native of Germany, and was born in the prov- 
ince of Nassau in 1826. His parents, honest, hard- 
working people, trained their children in habits 
of thrift and gave them the benefit of early in- 
struction in the public schools of the Fatherland. 
Mr. Schmidt was reared a farmer and h.ad attained 
to twent}'-five years of age before he finally deter- 
mined to try his fortunes in tlie countiy beyond 
the sea. Emigrating to America, he landed in New 
York in 1852 and went at once to Pennsylvania, 
where he worked in the woods for a few months. 
He then journej'ed to St. Louis and did whatever 
came to his hand to do until the spring of 1853, at 
that time receiving employment upon the railroad, 
in which service he remained two years. In the 
fall of 1855 our subject first made his home in 







(/7A^. 



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9Ail(AA/ 





PORTRAIT AND BJOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



603 



Iowa, then purchasing eighty acres, a part of bis 
magnificent homestearl of eight liunrlred acres, and 
he has since constantlj- devoted himself to agricul- 
tural pursuits. 

His first work upon his then modest farm was 
well-digging, but he lost no time, entering zealously 
into the cultivation of the fertile soil. Six lonely 
years he led the life of a bachelor, and then took 
unto himself as wife Miss Eliza Saunders, a most 
estimable lady and a native of Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. 
Schmidt were united in marriage in August, 1863, 
since which time their home has been blessed by 
the birth of ten bright and intelligent children. 
The sons and daughters are: William, born in May, 
1864; Sarah, in February, 1866; Samuel, in June, 
1868; Frank, in November, 1870; Henry, in June, 
1873; Mary, in November, 1875; Rosa, in April. 
1878; Peter, in July, 1880; Lizzie, in 1882; and 
Francis in August, 1885. Sarah is the wife of 
Harmon Selle, an energetic farmer of the town- 
ship. These sons and daughters have all enjoyed 
the advantages of instruction in the public schools 
and take a prominent place among the leading 
citizens of their neighborhood. Mr. Schmidt had 
one sister, Catherine, who came to America with 
her three children. She was the wife of a man 
named Makonhaupt, and aside from our subject 
was the only one of their parents' family who em- 
igrated to the United States. 

It was not until the spring of 1866 that Mr. 
Schmidt made his first purchase of stock, buying 
a }-oke of oxen and a cow, and being without 
ready money he had a severe experience and was 
obliged to exercise the most rigid economy to 
make his pa3'raents. As the time passed his for- 
tunes constantly- improved, until he has attained to 
a comfortable competence, and 3'et a hale, hearty 
man, unbroken by j-ears of constant toil, is now 
accounted one of the wealthiest men in the county 
of Poweshiek. For several years he has been a large 
feeder of cattle and hogs, receiving most profitable 
returns for money thus invested, and is considered 
high authority upon all blanches of farming, hav- 
ing met with remarkable success in the various 
departments of agriculture. 

Politically a Democrat, Mr. Schmidt is not an 
ottice-seeker but is intelligently interested in the 



local and national affairs of his adopted country, 
of which he has ever been a true and loyal subject. 
He is a member of the Roman Catholic Church 
and has carefully trained his family to a strict ob- 
servance of their religious duties. A kind neigh- 
bor, sincere friend and good citizen, Mr. Schmidt 
enjoys the respect and best wishes of the entire 
community by whom he is surrounded, and among 
whom he has passed so many years of his useful 
and honorable life. 



r^ 



-=-^ 



MORY HAPPY is a practical and enterpris- 
ing farmer of Bear Creek Township, Powe- 
ll " 
I *' — ^ shiek Countj', and has made agricultural 

pursuits his life work. His farm comprises eighty 
acres, is fertile and a desirable i)iece of propert}', 
being located on section 26. His place bears the 
tokens of a careful and thrifty owner, one who en- 
deavors to keep things in a modern and enterpris- 
ing manner. He uses the latest improvements and 
machineiy on his farm and spares neither expense 
nor pains to make his farm valuable. His efforts 
have been abundantly crowned with success, as his 
fields of waving grain yield to him a golden trib- 
ute in return for his constant care. 

Mr. Happy was born .September 23, 1831, in the 
township of Greenport, Columbia County, N. Y'., 
two miles south of Hudson. His grandfather, 
Christian Happy, w.as in turn a son of one George, 
who was born in Hesse-Cassel, Germany. He was 
a shoemaker in Wittenberg and came to this coun- 
try in the Colonial days, settling near Woodstock, 
Ulster Count}', N. Y. In that district he engaged 
in his trade of shoemaking and also farmed as 
well. He served through the war for independ- 
ence, and at one time, when the British had sup- 
planted the American flag by one of their ow-n, he 
climbed the pole, tore down the foreign flag and 
nailed the American colors to the mast. His four 
children all lived to an advanced age. Our sub- 
ject's grandfather, Happy, was born in Halifax, in 
which city his parents remained for some time 



604 



PORTRAIT AKD BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



when on their journey to America. AVhen about 
ten 3'ears old he went to Dutchess County', residing 
with an uncle, his mother's brotlier, wiio gave him 
a good education. At the age of eighteen he be- 
gan at the trade of carpentering, being bound out 
for his board and clothes, in addition to which he 
received a shilling a day for three years. Then 
having become master of the trade, he located in 
Columbia County, where he married Eva Sheffer, 
and soon after purchased a farm in that county. 
He was frugal and industrious and by these means 
accumulated a place of three hundred and twenty 
acres just south of Hudson. In 1852 he sold that 
farm and purchased one of about twelve hundred 
acres in Woodstock Township, Ulster County, 
where he died in 1863, aged about eightj'-three 
years. His wife died some ten years earlier. He 
was again married, in 1857, when Miss Eva Shiek 
became his wife. Of his first union he had three 
children: Hannah, Jacob and Mary. The father 
was a Democrat, and was a member of and Deacon 
in the Dutch Reformed Cliurch and was verj' active 
and successful in business. 

The father of our subject was born in German- 
town, Columbia County, N. Y., August 10, 1810, 
and always made his liome with his father. He 
was engaged in agricultural pursuits, owning a 
part of the old homestead. He died in the faith 
of the Methodist Episcopal Church, though earlier 
in life he was a member of the Reformed Church. 
His death occurred April 6, 1883, and that of his 
wife August 31, 1892. She was born in Columbia 
Countj- about the year 1816, and was a daughter 
of John Plass, a native of that State and a black- 
smith by trade. He was a Democrat in politics, a 
member of the Dutch Reformed Church, and reared 
a family of five sons and five daughters. The third 
son, John, married Elizabeth, a daughter of Dr. 
John Bennan, an eminent physician. Our subject 
is one in a family of ten children, the others being 
Charity, Jacob, Gertrude, Henry, Eva A., Fred- 
erick, Mary E., Sarah and John W. John W. died 
at the age of twent3-five, lliis being the first death 
in the family circle. Henry is also deceased, but 
the rest are living and doing well. 

Emory Hapi)y received a comnion-scliool educa- 
tion and removed to Ulster County, N. Y., with 



his parents in 1852. He was bought up to the life 
of a farmer's lad and in 1862 concluded to tr^' his 
fortunes further West. Arriving in Davenport 
June 25, he then spent the following year in Mus- 
catine County. Subsequently he came to Brook- 
lyn and did anything he could to gain a liveli- 
hood. Returning to Davenport after a time, lie 
worked in the car-repair shops for four years 
and in the year 1869 took charge of the shops 
at Brooklyn. Since 1876, he has been- engaged 
in agriculture. During the war he was twice 
rejected on account of physical disability. 

Our subject was united in marriage October 16, 
1850, to Julia A., daughter of Peter and Catherine 
(Hollenbeck) Palmatier, of Dutch descent. Mrs. 
Happy was born May 16, 1831, in Worcester, Ot- 
sego County, N.Y., where her father was an exten- 
sive farmer. Mr. and Mrs. Happj^ have been 
blessed with nine children: Emory, who died at 
the age of six and one-half jears; Charles W., who 
also died when about the same age; Jacob, who is 
a resident of .Seattle, Wash.; Melissa, who is the 
wife of John Higginbottom, of Colorado; Mary E., 
who lives in that State, and married Seinan Peck; 
Wilhe, who died at the age of six years; Ettie, 
who died in infancy; Frank and Arthur, who com- 
plete the number. The mother, who died March 17, 
1884, was a devoted member of the Dutch Reformed 
Church in her girlhood, but since 1851 both Mr. 
and Mrs. Happy have been active in the Methodist 
Episcopal Church. He is one of the organizers of 
Corinthian Lodge No. 174, A. F. & A. M.,at Brook- 
lyn, and was also a member of Hysop Chapter, 
R. A. M., of Malcom, Iowa. Though reared as a 
Democrat politicall}', he is independent, choosing 
to use his own discretion in depositing his ballot. 



ILLIAM UPMEIER. Among the farmers 
of Big Grove Township is this gentleman, 
who resides on section 5. His father was 
an early and honored settler of this locality, where 
he entered land of the Government. Both him- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



605 



self and wife were natives of Prussia, Germany, the 
latter befoi'e marriage bearing the name of Louise 
Strougen. William Upmeier, Sr., was a farmer in 
his native land, and during the winter time en- 
gaged in making spinning-wheels. He emigrated 
to America in 1845, living for nearly two years in 
Sangamon County, 111., whence he came by team 
to Johnson Countj', Iowa. He entered land in 
Big Grove Township, where he was among the 
first white settlers. The country was ver}' wild, 
abounding in wild game, and it was no infrequent 
occurrence to see tribes of Indians in this region. 
On his farm there was a brick house. He contin- 
ued farming and engaged in active duties until 
1882, when he retired, becoming a resident of Nor- 
waj', Benton County. He afterward returned to 
his old farm, where his death occurred in 1885, he 
then being seventy-three 3'ears of age. His wife 
was called from this life about the year 1862. 
They were both members of the Lutheran Church, 
in which they had been brought up. 

William Upmeier, Jr., is the eldest of his father's 
famil}', which comprised two sons and four daugh- 
ters. He was six years of age when bis parents 
came with their family to Iowa, and as there were 
no schools in this portion of the State at that 
early da^', his education was necessarily limited. 
He lived with his parents and assisted in the care 
of the home farm until reaching adult years. In 
1870 he purchased his present farm on section 25, 
Big Grove Township, which he lias steadily in- 
creased in value b^' reason of his care and proper 
methods of cultivation. He now owns five hun- 
dred and forty acres, on which he raises all kinds 
of general farm produce and live stock. 

On the 6th of April, 1870, Mr. Upmeier was 
united in marriage with Margaret Brekle, of Solon, 
in this count}'. Her parents were natives of Ger- 
many, and well-known settlers of Johnson County. 
Mrs. Upmeier was called from this life in 1884, 
leaving man}' friends to mourn her loss. On Jan- 
uary 16, 1888, our subject was again married, his 
second union being with Miss Brunhilde Kohl, a na- 
tive of Berlin, Germany, who crossed the Atlantic 
in 1888, and soon after became a resident of this 
township. They have two children: AVilliam T. 
and Frederick A. Both our worthy subject and 



his estimable wife are members of the Lutheran 
Church and are highly esteemed in this locality. 
Mr. Upmeier, since becoming a voter, has cast his 
ballot in favor of the nominees of the Democratic 
party and has held a number of local offices to the 
full satisfaction of his friends and constituents. 



•^^^^Is^®!^^^ 



OBERT ANTHONY, the subject of our 
7 sketch, is a well-to-do farmer, residing on 
section 24, Clear Creek Township, Johnson 
1^ County, Iowa, a native of Northumber- 
land CouHty, England, born March 11, 1851. Mr. 
Anthony is a man who lives in the sunlight of a 
happ3' temperament and dispenses good-fellowship 
wherever he goes. If it be true as claimed by the 
doctors that an amiable mood and jollity are evi- 
dences of health, then our subject certainly has no 
need of medicine. He is a kind, neighborly, con- 
siderate mortal, living at peace with all and liked 
by everybody. 

Edmund Anthony, his father, a native of the 
same count}' as he, emigrated to America in 1851, 
and resided in Vermont until his removal to Iowa 
eighteen years later, in 1869, when he located in 
Union Township. He died in Clear Creek Town- 
ship. The mother of our subject, Harriet (Wilkins) 
Anthony, who lives in Clear Creek Township, is 
also a native of England. Our subject came to 
America when about six months old and was eigh- 
teen years of age when he settled in Johnson 
County. Five 3'ears before he had begun the bat- 
tle of life for himself. 

Our subject was married Februar\' 16, 1875, to 
Sarah J. Springmirc. daughter of Henr}- Spring- 
mire, a ver}' earl}' settler of Johnson and a highly' 
respected farmer of that section. Mrs. Anthony 
is a native of Johnson County, and has borne 
her husband five promising children, namely: 
Frank H., Adeline C, Ernest J., Charles Philo and 
Roy C. Our subject has a prized farm of three 
hundred and sixty-six acres, mostly under cultiva- 



606 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



tion and a model of neatness, having good im- 
provements and yielding a nice yearly revenue to 
its owner. 

Mr. Antliony gives his attention mainly to 
stock-raising and displays excellent judgment in 
liis selection and marketing of the animals. The 
Republican party finds in him a warm supporter, 
and, his opinions being the result of serious 
reflection, he does not turn about with every 
chauging wind. His fellow-townsmen have testi- 
fied their confidence in him by electing him a 
Trustee of the town and a Director of schools, 
positions he now holds, and he has filled the posi- 
tion of Supervisor of Roads. He has a very inter- 
esting family, in whom he finds great happiness 
and of wliom he is justly proud. Mr. Anthonj' is 
a man of strict lionesly, fair in all his dealings, ex- 
emplary in his life and progressive in his ideas, 
one whose influence is always on tlie side of law, 
order and progress. 



l>^^<i 



ARTIN RICKARD, a well-known citizen 
and leading businessman of a high order 
of executive ability, has for fifty years 
been one of the representative agricultur- 
ists of Iowa, and located in Chester Township, 
Poweshiek County, in 1864, and there conducts a 
fine stock farm, making a specialty of Aberdeen- 
Angus cattle, first purchasing two head, one of 
which was imported direct from Scotland at a cost 
of $1,000. 

Mr. Rickard is a native of New Hampshire, but 
was onl3' four years of age when, in 1843, with 
his parents, he emigrated to the then Far West 
and settled in Clinton Countj', Iowa, where he 
was reared and educated. The father and mother, 
Alvin and Diana (Bachelor) Rickard, were natives 
of New England, the father having been born in 
Vermont and the mother in New Hampshire, the 
husband and his wife making their- home in the 
latter State some time subsequent to their mar- 
riage. The paternal grandfather, Ezra Rickard, 



a man of excellent attainments and natural abil- 
ilty, was highl}- respected in the Green Mountain 
State. Ho came in 1843 to Cedar County, Iowa, 
and died at the age of eighty-four. His wife sur- 
vived him four j^ears and died at the age of 
eighty-eight. When the parents of our subject 
came to Iowa the State was yet in its infancy, 
and Martin Rickard has for a half-century wit- 
nessed the changing scenes which have transformed 
the unbroken prairie into waving fields of grain, 
and made that part of the Union the banner corn- 
field of the West. 

Our subject had two half-sisters, and he had also 
two own sisters, who survived to mature years, 
but our suljject was tlie only son, and remained 
with his father and mother until 1860, and was 
engaged in farming until 1864, when he settled 
in Poweshiek Count}', having purchased tlie farm 
where he yet resides. He originally bought only 
a quarter-section, but lias added to his land, now 
owning two hundred highly cultivated acres, the 
homestead being most desirably located and ex- 
ceedingly productive. In 1865 Mr. Rickard was 
united in marriage with Miss Anna M., daughter 
of the Rev. Robert Tumor, a well-known and elo- 
quent minister of the Baptist Church. Four chil- 
dren have blessed the union: Elmer T.; Alvin R., 
a successful teacher in the county schools; Henry 
M. and Fannie R. Our subject himself in earlj' 
life taught school for some time in Clinton County, 
and has ever been deeply interested in matters of 
educational advancement. He and his family are 
members and regular attendants of the Congrega- 
tional Church, and are important factors in the 
various social and benevolent works of that de- 
nomination. 

Financially prospered, Mr. Rickard has mainly 
devoted himself to agricultural pursuits, and since 
1884 has profitably engaged in handling Aber- 
deen-Angus cattle with marked success, but has 
also found time to assist in the promotion of vari- 
ous enterprises of local note and interest. He was 
among the first to invest in the cheese business in 
Chester Centre, and aided in the establishment of 
the People's Exchange Store at Grinnell, being 
one of the earliest stockholders and officers of the 
organization. A public-spirited man, he encour- 




RESIDENCE OF JOHN FOLKER . SEC .3. CLEAR CREEK TP. J OH N50N Cu.lA. 



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residence: of Andrew rubelman . 5EC.29. fremont tr johnson go. ia. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



609 



aged the laying of the Iowa Central Railroad, and 
has been a liberal supporter of all worthy local 
improvements and progressive methods. In po- 
litical affiliation Mr. Rickard is a straight Repub- 
lican, but has never been troubled with political 
aspirations, desirous only of doing his full duty 
in the capacity of a true, loyal American citizen, 
fully alive to the needs of the hour and ever 
ready to aid in all matters of public welfare. 



,,.j. NDREW RUBELMAN is a man whom na- 
(@^JI ture seems to have designed for a planter, 
Is for he is progressive and enterprising in his 
views, industrious, neat and thrifty in his 
habits, and, like the majority of the sons of the soil, 
is honorable and upright. He has met with more 
than an aver.age degree of success in pursuing his 
chosen occupation, and by those who know him 
he is recognized as a man of progressive spirit and 
substantial worth. He was born in Baden, Ger- 
many, November 9, 1824, being the youngest in a 
family of seven children born to Christian and 
Anna M. (Nubeling) Rubelman, who were born, 
reared, educated and married in Baden. The father 
was a wagon-maker and farmer, and these occupa- 
tions received his attention in his native land, where 
his days were spent. His children were named as 
follows: Annie M., George, Christina, Anna, Chris- 
tian, Catherine and Andrew. 

Andrew Rubelman attained mature j-ears in 
Baden, received the practical education which is 
the privilege of tlie German youth, and later 
learned the trade of a rope-maker, at which he 
worked until he came to America in 1848. Im- 
mediately after reaching this country lie located in 
the vicinity of Rochester, N. Y., but afterward 
moved to Elizabethtown, N. J., and at a still later 
period to Cincinnati and St. Louis, Mo. During 
this time he was by no means idle, for such is 
not the nature of the native German, but he 
continued to work energetically at his trade, 
by which means he secured some monev and in 



1851, upon his arrival in .Johnson Count3% Iowa, 
he purchased a farm of forty acres, and so ear- 
nestly and energetically did he labor that the result 
was soon apparent in the excellent crops that were 
raised and in the substantial buildings and fences 
that were put up. Agriculture and all its kindred 
pursuits have 0(3cupied his attention ever since bis 
arrival in the count3', and he has added to his or- 
iginal forty acres until he has now a magnificent 
and highly cultivated farm of two hundred and 
six acres, the soil of which is as fertile as any of 
which Johnson County can boast. The land was 
an unbroken stretch of prairie in 1851, and at the 
time of Ills location his place was the farthest 
from timber of an}- in the township, but the fol- 
lowing year settlements were made around him 
and by 1865 it was all settled or entered. At 
that time their nearest market of importance was 
Muscatine, twenty-two miles away, for Iowa City 
was a very small village, which served as a trading 
point. 

Mr. Rubelman was a hard worker and realized 
the fact that if he would gain wealth he must 
labor for it, consequently he did not spare himself 
in his efforts to gain a competenc}-, and now, if he 
so desires, can rest from his labors and live in com- 
fort the remainder of his da3's. He was an excel- 
lent manager, and at all times practiced economj', 
but was by no means niggardly and when enter- 
prises of a worthy nature needed his support he 
was liberal and open-handed in the use of his 
means. Such a man as he is the kind of citizen 
America desires, and Johnson County is much 
better off for his having lived in it. He was mar- 
ried in St. Louis, Mo., to Miss Elizabeth Henry, by 
whom he has two children: Dena, who is still liv- 
ing at home; and Lewis, who is a resident of John- 
son Count}', Mo., where he is engaged in farming. 
When Mr. Rubelman came to Johnson Countj' his 
brother-in-law, John Heniy, came with him. The 
latter is a son of Christian and Anna M. (Reese) 
Henry, who were born, reared and married in 
Baden, Germany, and came to America after the 
birth of their eldest child, Christina, which was 
about the year 1817. During their residence 
in Pennsylvania two more children were born 
to them, John and the wife of Mr. Rubelman. 



610 



POSTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL EECORD, 



The sister, Christina, married John Salade, in 
Wheeling, W. Va., and to them were born nine 
children: Adam, an engineer of Chicago; Libbie, 
who is the wife of John Hohnian; William A., of 
Wheeling, W. Va.; Henr3' and George, also in 
that place; Bell, wife of Henry Shively, of Wheel- 
ing; Lewis, of Cheyenne, Wj'o.; Mary V. and John, 
of Chicago. Politically, both Mr. Rubelman and 
Mr. Henrj' are, and have been all their lives 
since coming to America, stanch Democrats. 
They are all members of tiie Lutheran Church, 
and are generous and active in the support of the 
same. Mr. Rubelman is one of the county's old 
and highly honored residents and is in every way 
a representative and highly' honored citizen. 



-^^ 



■^'OHN FOLKER, our subject, is a worthy 
German-American citizen, who has acquired 
a snug little fortune by the work of his 
^^ own hands, having received no assistance 
from anybody. He is a prominent farmer and an 
old settler, living on section 3, in Clear Creek 
Township, Johnson County, Iowa, and was born 
in Mecklenburg, German}', November 26, 1832, 
being the son of Frederick Folker, who lived and 
died in the native place of our subject. Mary 
(Guerndt) Folker, the mother of our subject, who 
lived and died in Germany, bore her husband 
eight children, two daughters and six sons. 

Our subject, who is the third child and second 
son, received a common-school education, and em- 
igrated to America in 18.57. He stopped at Cleve- 
land, Ohio, where for four years he worked at the 
carpenter's trade and such other employment as he 
could find, later running on Lake Erie, between 
Cleveland and Buffalo; he then came to Joiinson 
County, Iowa, in the year 1867. Here he bought 
a farm of eighty acres, on section 21, Clear Creek 
Township, upon which he lived until 1878, when 
he bought the farm where he now resides. 

Mr. Folker was married at Cleveland in 1860, 
to Sophia Guerndt, born in the same town as our 



subject, wiio died in 1878, the mother of six chil- 
dren, four daughters and two sons, namely: Julia 
S., wife of Alexander Grace, of Clear Creek Town- 
ship; Charles H., living at home; Minnie L,, living 
at home; Emma J., living at home; Ella L., teach- 
ing school in Clear Creek Township: and Frank 
A., the youngest. Mr. Folker has a farm of two 
hundred and sixty-three acres, upon which he car- 
ries on general farming and stock-raising. 

Our subject is a Democrat, giving that party a 
cheerful support, but in local elections paying 
more regard to the fitness of candidates than to 
their politics. The only position he has filled is 
that of School Director, but the duties of this po- 
sition he filled to the public satisfaction. The sur- 
roundings of Mr. Folker are verj' pleasant, he being 
blessed with worth}' children and having kind and 
pleasant neighbors, with whom he lives in har- 
mony. 



' UDGE W. R. LEWIS, our subject, one of 
the oldest attorneys in Poweshiek County, 
was Judge of the Courts for ten years. He 
is a mechanical genius and a charming con- 
versationalist being popular with every one. He was 
elected Judge of the Circuit Court in 1880, and 
served until 1886, when the circuits were abolished 
and he was elected District Judge and served four 
years. His residence at Montezuma dates from 
April, 1857, and he has been a practicing attorney 
since 1866. Our subject was born near Zanesville, 
Muskingum County, Ohio, October 12, 1835. His 
father, John M. Lewis, a native of the same county, 
was born in 1811. The grandfather of our subject, 
Abel Lewis, who was born near White Sulpliur 
Springs, Va., was a college graduate and came to 
Ohio in the eighteenth century. He was a Govern- 
ment Surveyor in Muskingum and Coshocton Coun- 
ties, and took part in several of the Indian wars. 
He married and located in Zanesville, Ohio, was 
Clerk of the Court for years, and was the author 
of some mathematical works. He entered a large 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



eu 



tract of land, made a farm of it, moved there and 
ended his daj'S. He was a member of the Meth- 
odist Episcopal Cluirch, and was of an old Virginia 
family of Welsh descent. 

The father of our subject mariied and located 
on a pai-t of the old homestead five and one-half 
miles from Zanesville, and later located in New Cas- 
tle, Coshocton Countj^ where he engaged in mer- 
cantile business under the firm name of Thornhill, 
Berry & Lewis. In the year 1851 he went to Cal- 
ifornia by the waj^ of Panama, and spent two 
years prospecting for gold and mining, being fairly 
successful, when he returned to New Castle, Ohio, 
and retired from business. He is a member of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he has held 
several official positions. In politics he is a straight 
out-and-out, uncompromising Republican, lending 
all his influence and energy to the success of the 
party. The mother of our subject, Louisa A. Ra- 
mey, was born in Muskingum County a daughter, 
of Sanford Ramey, a native of Virginia, a very 
earl3' settler in Ohio, and of German descent. The 
mother died in 1886, having been the parent of ten 
children, six of whom, four girls and two boys, 
are living, both the latter living in Montezuma. 

Our subject, the eldest of the ten, lived in Mus- 
kingum Count}' until he had reached his tenth 
year, and then removed to Coshocton, attending 
school there six months in the year for four or Qve 
years, the remainder of the time being spent in iiis 
father's store. Later he put in considerable time 
on the farm. He then studied survej'ingand read 
law in New Castle, then worked at survej'ing sev- 
eral years and then came West, stopping in South- 
port, Peoria County, 111. There he worked as 
a carpenter and on the farm for a month, and dur- 
ing the winter taught school at Southport, Peoria 
County. In the following spring he came to 
Montezuma, then a town of from four to five hun- 
dred people. Here he remained, doing hard work 
as a carpenter and performing such other jobs as 
offered, until the fall of 1857, when he was made 
Principal of the public schools. During his ad- 
ministration he assisted in forming tiie Teachers' 
Institute and he graded the Montezuma schools. 
In 1862, he was elected County Superintendent of 
Schools and before his term expired was elected 



Clerk of the County and District Courts. The 
latter position he held one term and then resigned 
to enter the pr.actice of law, which he had previ- 
ously studied. At this time he formed a pjirtner- 
ship with Hon. M. E. Cutts, ex-Member of Con- 
gress, in the mill business, conducted it successfully 
for a time and then sold out. He was Deputy 
Treasurer under Mr. Bates for one year and a 
member and Chairman of the County Board of 
Supervisors for two years. 

Coming to Iowa in 1866, our subject w.as ad- 
mitted to the Bar and began to practice, being 
associated for a while with Hon. D. H. Emery, and 
later with C. R. Clark, both of these partnersliips 
being of brief duration. In the fall of 1880 he was 
nominated and elected .Judge of the Circuit Court, 
embracing Poweshiek, Jefferson, Washington, Keo- 
kuk, Mah.aska, Marion and Jasper Counties, suc- 
ceeding Judge Blanchard, the first Circuit Judge. 
After serving four years, the district was divided 
into circuits and he was elected Judge of the First 
Circuit, taking in Jefferson, Washington, Keokuk 
and Poweshiek Counties, and upon the abolition 
of the Circuit Court in 1886, he was made one of 
the three Judges for the district. After his retire- 
ment from the Bench he was genera! manager dur- 
ing the year 1891 for the Hawkeye Electric Man- 
ufacturing Co., with headquarters at Davenport. 
In the fall of 1891, he resumed his law practice in 
Montezuma. 

In 1888 the Judge was one of tlie organizers of 
the Montz Electric Light and Power Company, 
superintended the putting in of the plant and has 
been Superintendent since that time. He was 
Superintendent of the putting up of the electric 
light works at Bloomfield and Sigoijrney. He as- 
sisted in surveying the route for the Grinnell & 
Montezuma Railroad. A map of the county which 
he made caused him to be out of pocket $1,200. 
His office is a most attractive one and located on 
Main Street. Our subject was married in Bur- 
lington, Vt., in 1865, to Miss Mary E., daughter 
of Edwin Cutts, of Brandon, Vt. Judge Lewis 
has been elected a member of the City Council a 
number of times and sat in the first Council of the 
City. He is a member of the Knights-Templar, 
Iowa Legion, Ancient Order of United Workmen, 



612 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



and of the United States Law Association for Pow- 
eshiek County. He is an Elder and Trustee of the 
Presb3'terian Church and until his election to the 
Bench was Superintendent of the Sunda3'-school. 
In politics he is a straight-out Republican and has 
served as Chairman of the Republican County 
Central Committee. Mrs. Lewis died April 10, 
1893. 



,^'LEXATs'DER H. GRAHAM, an early set- 
(@//j|| tier, prominent citizen and prosperous 
* agriculturist of Graham Township, John- 
son County, Iowa, now resides upon his 
valuable homestead of four hundred acres, situated 
upon section 25, where more than two-score years 
ago he entered from the Government a large tract 
of land. Our subject was born in Zanesville, Ohio, 
March 7, 1834, and was the son of the late An- 
drew Graham, in whose honor the township was 
named. Andrew Graham was a native of Ireland, 
and a man of more than ordinary ability and en- 
terprise. Emigrating from his native land to 
America, he settled in Ohio, and made his home 
in the Buckeye State for maJi}' years, finally jour- 
neying to the farther AVest, and in 1849, arriving 
in Johnson Count}% there located land from the 
Government, but did not become a permanent resi- 
dent of Iowa until the fall of 1854. Entering with 
energetic elllciency into the leading interests of 
his new home, he was a most important factor in 
the rapid growth and upward progress of his local- 
ity. He had always taken an active part in the 
local political affairs of his home in Ohio, and re- 
ceived ofHcial positions of trust in Graham Town- 
ship. 

Andrew Graham passed away upon Januarj^ 19, 
1870, honored by all who knew him and deeply 
mourned bj' the entire community, among whom 
the last seventeen years of his busy life had been 
spent. Twenty-three changing 3-ears have come 
and gone since this public-spirited citizen entered 
into rest, but his memory is vet green in the hearts 



of a host of old and sincere friends. The beloved 
mother of our subject, who died in March, 1867, 
was a native of Maryland, and was born near Balti- 
more. Alexander Graham received a good com- 
mon-school education in Zanesville, and there 
attained manhood. lie came from Muskingum 
County, Ohio, to Johnson County, Iowa, in the 
month of May, 1850, and entered land from the 
Government, soon aftE;r returning to Ohio. In 
1854 he located permanently in Graham Town- 
ship, having in the meantime visited his farm 
several times, making rapid trips to and fro be- 
tween Ohio and Iowa. Since 1854, our subject 
has been a constant resident of his homestead, 
with the exception of a short time when he lived 
in Iowa City. 

Mr. Graham was united in marriage in Zanes- 
ville, Ohio, April 16, 1864, with Miss Mary E. 
Dyarmett, a native of Zanesville, and a \ac\y of 
broad intelligence and culture. Seven children 
have blessed with their bright presence the happ3' 
home. Three little ones passed awa3' in infanc3', 
but two sons and two daughters yet survive. Hat- 
tie is the wife of E. C. Shankland; Andrew D., 
Cora I. and Eddie C. are yet with their parents. 
These brothers and sisters, having received the 
best possible educational advantages of their local- 
it3', are entering upon lives of usefulness and 
worthil3' occupy positions of influence in their 
birthplace and lifetime home. Our subject and 
his estimable wife are valued members of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church, and are foremost in 
the good work of that denomination and liberal 
supporters of the cause of Christianit3'. Politi- 
cally Mr. Graham is an ardent Republican and an 
earnest advocate of the principles of the part3'. 
He has efflcientl3' discharged the duties of various 
township offices, and for one term abl3' occupied 
the responsible position of Deputy Sheriff. 

A stanch friend to educational progress, our 
subject has devoted persistent effort to the ad- 
vancement of the grade of scholarship and instruc- 
tion in the district schools of Graham Township, 
and has ever been active in the promotion of all 
the best interests and leading enterprises of John- 
son Count3'. Giving his close attention un- 
weariedlv for man3- 3'ears to agricultural pursuits, 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



615 



he has financially prospered; the broad acres, once 
unbroken prairie, now having yielded to careful 
cultivation, are annually furnishing an excellent 
harvest. The tine farm of four hundred acres has 
been substantially improved with a pleasant and 
commodious country residence, attractive in ex- 
terior and interior arrangements, while the large 
barns and outhouses plainly denote the wise man- 
agement and prudent thrift of the provident 
owner. Fraternally Mr. Graham is connected with 
the Ancient Free & Accepted Masons, and both 
within and without this order has a host of true 
friends, who thoroughly appreciate the sterling 
integrit}' of character whicli has distinguished his 
career. 



r 



?ISIlkR, 



'ACOB II/fISI^R, an energetic business 
man of superior executive ability and com- 
mercial enterprise, is a leading merchant 
of Solon, and. widely known and respected, 
has filled with honor and etticient service many im- 
portant local positions of trust in Johnson County. 
At various times occupying the responsible posi- 
tions of Ma3'or of Solon, member of the Common 
Council, and ofUciall}' connected with the School 
Board, our subject has materially assisted in the 
upward progress and rapid advancement of the 
best interests of his home locality, and as a citizen 
is both liberal and public-spirited. Mr. Fisher is 
a native of Illinois Cil3', Rock Island County, 111., 
and was born March 13, 1853. His father, James 
H. Fisher, was well known in the very early days 
in Muscatine Count3',Iowa. wliere he was employed 
for several years as a salesman. The paternal 
grandfathervJoseph II. Fisher, was of German de- 
scent and spent the greater part of his life in 
Pennsylvania, but emigrated to Iowa City, Iowa, 
in 1839, and after a twelvemonth's experience in 
the West went back to the (Quaker State. 

Subsequently Grandfather Fisher returned to 
Johnson County, Iowa, and remained here many 



years, but finally again made his home rn Penn- 
sylvania, where he died at a good old age. James 
H. Fishej-, the father of our subject, was born ia H^^*^"-*^ 
^rerlcCounty. Pa., in 18-26„and was one of *««»=- 
sons, jboth of ^hoin are now deceased. He re- 
ceived a collegiate education and taught school 
in Pennsj'lvania, emigrating to Iowa about 1839; 
he located at Muscatine, being there engaged in 
the handling of merchandise for some length of 
time. He subsequently settled in Illinois City, 
111., and went into business for himself. In the 
spring of 1855 he sold out his interests in Illinois 
and removed to Johnson County, Iowa, and en- 
tered into mercantile pursuits. He kept a general 
store in Solon for several years. James H. Fisher 
was an intelligent man, of more than ordinary 
ability, and achieved success in life by honest in- 
dustry and untiring perseverance. He died No- 
vember 30, 1871, deeply regretted by the many 
friends who thoroughly appreciated his sterling 
integrity of character, 
^^^aloiia" (Huffman) Fisher, the mother of our 
subject, now r69i(Sing in Solon, Johnson County, 
Iowa, is a woman endowed with ability-, endur- 
ance, courage and self-reliance, and is well fitted to 
worthil}' occupy the position in life to which she 
was by Providence assigned. She was of German 
parentage, but, a native of France, was born in 
the gay metropolis of fashion, Paris. When she 
was about fourteen years of age ste emigrated 
with her parents to America, and, having attained 
to mature age, married and became the moliier of 
ten children. The comparatively earl^- demise of 
her husband left the care of these sons and daugh- 
ters to the loving mother, and worthily' did siie 
fulfill the trust reposed in her. Of the large fam- 
ily that clustered around the hearth of the old 
home not one is yet missing, and all are occupy- 
ing positions of usefulness and influence. Jacob 
11. Fisher received a common-school education, 
and, as he was averse to becoming a clerk in his 
father's store, was variously employed until 1878, 
when, without means of his own, he entered into a 
partnership with C. H. Shircliff, and May 1, 1878, 
opened a mercantile business in Solon. 

In 1880 Mr. Fisher, in company with J. (i. Beck, 
built a creamery at Solon, and in 1883 sold out 






■^, 



{y^%^ 




616 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



his interest in the store to his jiartner. In the 
spring of 1884 our subject purchased a stock of 
goods and filled up a room in his creamery, and 
there conducted a modest general business. At 
the close of a very profitable twelvemonths he 
built in 1885 his present commodious and well- 
arranged store to accommodate the increasing de- 
mands of his prosperous business. In 1889 Mr. 
Fisher ijiurchased an interest in a large creamery at 
Audulion," Iowa, and still retains his interest in 
this successful enterprise. In 1890 the firm, which 
is Fisher Bros. tV Co., included merchandise with 
the creamery business at that place. The cream- 
ery is known as the Audubon Valley Creamery, 
and has a large capacity. Our subject gives his 
personal attention to his business in Solon, and 
for the past few years has rented his crearaerj' 
building which he had erected here. 

Mr. Fisher was, December 24, 1878, united in 
marriage with Miss Helena Beck, a native of Phil- 
adelphia, and born May 24, 1854. The parents 
of Mrs. Fisher were of German birth. Her father 
died when she was quite 3'oung, and her mother 
passed away in 1871. The happy home of our sub- 
ject has been blessed by the bii-th of two, children: 
James Mott, born October 24,^1880^ and Leojiard, 
May 25, 1887. Financially successful, Mr. Fisher 
also takes a leading part in local politics, and is 
a strong Republican, and upon this ticket was 
elected to the positions of Mayor, member of the 
CV)uncil and Director of the School Board. As an 
oHicial our subject has given satisfaction to his 
constituents, and has made a record of active, in- 
telligent and efficient service in the cause of pub- 
lic interests and upward progress. f y 



ACOB Y. STOVER, our subject, has passed 
the three-score and ten of the Psalmist, yet 
.^^ his natural vigor has not abated, nor has his 
^^)) hand lost its cunning. His friends are still 
dear to him and lie holds them fast to him by reason 



of his many sterling virtues. Mr. Stover is a prom- 
inent farmer and an old settler, living on section 
21, West Lucas Township, Johnson Count}', Iowa, 
and was born in Wayne County, Ind., on the 
4th of August, 1823. He is the son of Joseph 
Stover, a native of Virginia, who was reared 
partly in North Carolina and partly in Tennessee. 
He was married in the latter State, and removed 
first to Indiana, and then to Johnson County in 
1837, locating at what is now called Sandtown. He 
took up land from the Government and remained 
for the rest of his life in the county, being widely 
known throughout the place, and dying at the 
age of ninet3'-two. The father of the latter and 
the grandfather of our subject was a native of Vir- 
ginia and a soldier of the Revolutionary War un- 
der Washington, whom he knew personally. He 
was of Geiman descent and lived to a good old 
age. 

The mother of our subject, Esther Yount, was a 
native of Tennessee, and was reared and married 
in that State, dying at the age of eighty-five. Her 
father, who also lived to a good old age, was of 
German descent. She and her husband were the 
parents of eleven children, all of whom grew to 
maturity except one, who died at the age of five 
years. Of those living, six are daughters and two 
are sons. Mr. Stover is the eighth child and was 
fourteen 3'ears old when he came to Johnson County 
with his parents, with whom he remained until 
twenty-one years of age. He had attended school 
in the old log schoolhouse of his district, and after 
attaining his majority he attended the academy at 
Iowa City. Two years were spent by him in boat- 
ing on the Iowa River, and then, in 1849, he went 
across the plains with an ox-team to California, 
via Salt Lake Citj' (where he remained two mouths), 
and thence to Utah Lake. Landing in Pocomingo 
Ranch, Cal., he was engaged in placer-mining 
three years, when he returned by way of Panama 
and New York City. 

Our subject having been successful in the mines 
went into the wholesale grocery business in Iowa 
City directly after his return. He continued in 
this two and a-half years and then, in 1859, went 
across the plains again, this time with horses, go- 
ing by way of Salt Lake City and Humboldt River 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPinCAL RECORD. 



617 



to Harney Lake, Cal. Spending three years there 
he came back the same way as on the former joui- 
ney. On his trip in 1849 one thousand men were 
in tiie party that left Council Bluffs with him for 
the land of promise with ox-teams. They elected 
their officers on the west side of the Missouri River, 
where Omaha now stands, and pursued their way 
under a sort of military discipline. They traveled 
to j;ikhorn. Neb., when a party of Indians stopped 
them and refused to permit them to cross, alleging 
that the oxen would eat their grass, drink the water 
of the river which was theirs, and the men would 
burn their wood. This was said by a squaw inter- 
preter, who added that a thousand Indians could 
be gathered on the opposite side of the river to op- 
pose their crossing within an hour. The Colonel 
of the emigrant party offered some bushels of 
crackers as tribute, but when this was refused or- 
dered his men to get ready their guns. This had 
the desired effect, for the Indians inimediatel}' dis- 
appeared and tiiey saw no more of them. 

Striking the Platte River below Lick Fork, they 
stopped for dinner, when one of the men waded into 
the river to spear fish, and our subject helped to res- 
cue him wheu nearl}' drowned. The compan\' was 
compelled to remain tliere nearly two months, be- 
cause there was no grass for the cattle. They 
passed through Mountain Meadow the fall before 
the massacre. It required from October to Decem- 
ber 25 to go from Salt Lake City to Pocomingo 
Ranch. They followed near with Capt. Smith, a 
part remaining with Capt. Hunt, but they over- 
took the Smith party when it had run .against a 
mountain and could go no furtiier. About fifty 
wagons were left there and the company broke uji. 
At this point our subject deserted his wagon, and 
placing all he had upon the back of his horse 
started after the trail of Smith, going down the can- 
yon for about ten miles; he then crossed a mountain 
and traveled for several daj'S, when he again came 
u[) with Smith, who was against another steep 
mountain and was stuck in the snow. The party 
was lost, and provisions were so scarce that they 
killed the old gray horse of our subject for food. 

Nine of the party with our subject started over 
the mountain for oxen, and seven perished. Our 
subject met the two that got through in safety the 



following summer. There were about thirty in the 
party about the time of the killing of the horse. This 
party elected our subject Captain and he marched 
them back one day's journey upon their own trail. 
Climbing a mountain, he saw a gust of wind whirl 
down it, taking up dust in the valley, and con- 
cluded that it must be the long-lost trail. He or- 
dered them to throw all their surplus b.agg.age away 
and pushed on to safety and plenty. Yet at the 
time he saw the wind gust they had had nothing but 
horse flesh to eat for three weeks, and twenty men 
of their party had died of starvation. 

In 1862, after our subject returned from his sec- 
ond trip, to California, he took charge of the old 
homestead, farmed and cared for his parents until 
their death. .He was married July 12, 1863, to 
Susan R. Switzer, a native of Mainland, and eight 
children are the fruits of this union, namely: Grant; 
Arthur, who died when an infant; Charlie, Emma, 
Edward, George, Bessie and Samuel. The (arm of 
our subject consists of two hundred and thirteen 
acres, mostly improved, upon which he has carried 
on general farming and stock-raising since 1862. 
Many of the improvements, including the house 
and the barn, were made by him. In politics he 
is a strong Republican and has served .as Road Su- 
pervisor and School Director. Mr. Stover is a sin- 
cere member of the Methodist Episcopal Church 
of Iowa City. 



^f OHN S. BAILEY, an honored citizen and 
representative agriculturist of Sugar Creek 
^^, I Township, Poweshiek County, Iowa, is one 
'^^f) of the most successful stock-raisers of this 
part of the State, and is authority on the breeding 
of Shorthorn cattle, which he handles extensively 
and with profitable results. His farm of about 
three hundred and seventy acres is under a high 
state of cultivation and well improved with com- 
modious and substantial barns and an attractive 
country residence. Mr. Baile^' is a native of Wind- 



618 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



sor County, Vt., and was born in June, 1840. His 
earl3' years were spent in liis native count}', where 
he enjoyed excei)lional educational advantages, 
and later completed a course of iiisti'uction in the 
well-known Kimball Academy, of Plainfield, N. H. 
The father and mother of our subject, Samuel and 
Lucinda (Sherburne) Bailey, were both born in 
the (ireen Mountain State, and were there reared, 
educated and married. They were blessed with a 
family of five bright sons, of whom John S. is the 
eldest in order of birth. Jason S. is a retired 
merchant of Boston. Elbridge E. is a resident of 
Kansas City, Kan. Norman E. is deceased. Elmer 
passed away in infancy. The paternal grandfather, 
Jesse Bailey, was also a native of Vermont and a 
man of ability and influence. 

After the education of our subject was completed, 
he began the battle of life by teaching school, and 
followed this profession in New England for some 
three or four years. In the spring of 1862 he de- 
cided to avail himself of the wider opportunities 
of the broad West, and then journeyed to Iowa, 
and, locating in Oskaloosa, taught at Forest Home 
two terms. At the expiration of that length of 
time he returned to his native State, and on the 
2d of January, 1870, he and Miss Ilattie L. 
Kingsley were united in marriage. They came 
to Iowa in April of the same year, making their 
home upon the unbroken prairies, whose fer- 
tile soil, gradually yielding to persistent cultiva- 
tion, annually returns a most abundant harvest. 
Wheu Mr. Bailey first began his residence in this 
locality he owned but one hundred and twenty- 
four acies of land, but gradually increased the lim- 
its of his farm until he now has under his control 
the major part of the section. During this entire 
time he carried on general farming extensively, 
and after some years began breeding Shorthorns, 
and has also been a large raiser of horses and hogs. 
A self-reliant man, of untiring industry, he has 
been financially successful and is classed with the 
substantial and moneyed farmers of Poweshiek 
County. 

The family of our subject and his estimable wife 
consists of three sons and two daughters: Nellie 
M., the eldest, is an accomplished young lady; 
Willie S. is the eldest son; J. Ora is the third child; 



Laura is the youngest daughter; and Van Buren 
completes the list. Mr. and Mrs. Baile}' are valued 
members of the Methodist Episcopal Church and 
are active in the good work and social and benev- 
olent enterprises of their denomination. In po- 
litical affiliation our subject is a Republican, but 
while taking an active interest in the affairs of the 
day, both local and national, he is in no sense of the 
word a politician, but is content to do his full 
duty at the polls by giving his vote to the man best 
ada))ted in his opinion to subserve the require- 
ments and responsibilities of the office. For nearly 
a quarter of a century associated with his neighbors 
m matters of local enterprise and welfare, Mr. 
Bailey has ever been foremost in the promotion of 
progress and needed reforms, and justly enjoys 
the full confidence and high respect of a wide cir- 
cle of acquaintances. 



^)HN R. BREESP:. The world has not dealt 
hardly by our subject, if results be the stan- 
dard, for he has accumulateil a snug prop- 
*5v^i^ erty, and has the consoling and proud re- 
flection that his own labors have brouglit him his 
good fortune. Mr. Breese is an honest, straight- 
forward man, who merits all the benefits he has re- 
ceived. He is a well-known farmer, living on sec- 
tion 21, Union Township, Johnson County, Iowa, 
and a native of Montgomery County, North Wales, 
born December 17, 1852. For an account of the 
life of his father, John Breese, see another page of 
this volume. Our subject was but four years old 
when he came to Johnson County with his parents 
his residence having been continuous here since 
that time. His education was received in the 
district schools, of which he availed himself to the 
extent that he became known as a studious youth, 
his love of reading having continued to this date. 
Our subject remained with his parents until his 
marriage, October 4, 1876, his choice of a wife be- 
ing Miss Moselle M. Kerr, daughter of H. H. and Al- 
mira A. (Brooks) Kerr, both of whom reside with 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



621 



o\i!- i-ubject. The former is one of the oldest set- 
tlers of Johnson County, having come herein 1839, 
and is eighty-three years old. Mrs. Breese 'smother, 
who is now seventy-four 3'ears of age, is the daugh- 
ter of Rev. Asa Brooks. He was a native of western 
Pennsylvania, and Mrs. Brooks of West Virginia. 
Mrs. Breese was born in Johnson County, Iowa, in 
December, 1848. Mr. Breese settled upon his present 
farm in 1878, where he was a tenant until 1880, 
when he bought it, in the month of November, 
the tract consisting of two hundred and twenty- 
five acres, five of which are in timber. His busi- 
ness is that of general farming and stock-raising, 
the soil being adapted for grass as well as for 
grain. The improvements, all of which are good, 
were put in principally' by Mr. Breese. 

Mr. and Mrs. Breese are the parents of three 
children : Robert F., Garfield E. and Laura M., all at 
home and attending school. Mr. Breese is a mem- 
ber of the Farmers' Alliance, and is Kecretar3' of the 
local organization, also is Treasurer of the Farm- 
ers' Mutual Fire Insurance Company. In politics, 
he has always been found with the Republicans, 
and is highly esteemed in the ranks of that part}', 
as indeed he is by all classes of people. He has 
served satisfactorily as a Justice of the Peace, and 
is now filling the by-no-means easy office of As- 
sessor of the township. Whatever Mr. Breese 
undertakes to do, he does it well, whether it be 
his personal business or the duties of the station 
he is called to by the people. Mr. and Mrs. Breese 
are both members of the Tnity Church of this 
township. 



•^m-r 



•^ 



^^EORGE B. SMITH. Among the thrifty 
[|j (~^ and enterprising farmers of Deer Creek 
^^JJ^ Township, Poweshiek Count}', we name 
with pleasure the gentleman whose name initiates 
this paragraph. He is a native son of Pennsyl- 
vania, having been born near Latrobe, in West- 
moreland County, on December 28, 1841, to Will- 
iam and Elizabeth (Rings) Smith. The grand- 
28 



father on the father's side of the house, who bore 
the given name of John, was a son of Philip Smith, 
who emigrated from Germany with his parents 
about the year 1750, during the Colonial days. 
He settled in eastern Penns3ivania and there 
followed the occupation of a farmer, dying in 
Westmoreland Count}'. 

John Smith, a native of eastern Pennsylvania, 
settled in Westmoreland Count}-, that State, in 
1874. His wife, whose maiden name was Cath- 
erine Shockey, bore her husband seven children, 
namely: Mary, Catherine, Martha, William, Sarah, 
Jjlizabeth and Margaret, The parents of these 
children were devoted Presbyterians. William, 
the father of our subject, was born in Westmore- 
land County, Pa., February 12, 1800, and still 
makes his home on the same place that his ances- 
tors took up in 1774. He has been honored by 
his fellow-townsmen with numerous positions of 
trust, and was a Democrat until 18.56, when he 
afterward cast his vote and influence with the 
Republican party. The mother of our subject was 
also a native of AVestmoreland County, having 
been born May 7, 1801. She died June 8, 1878, 
mourned by her children and numerous friends. 
She bore her husband thirteen children, ten of 
whom grew to manhood and womanhood. They 
were John, Catherine, Susan, Mary, William T., 
Elizabeth, Sarah, Ezra, George B. and Noah. 
Those since deceased are John, Elizabeth and 
Ezra. The last-named served in the late war in 
Company K, Fifty-third Pennsylvania Infantry, 
and was wounded in the shoulder in the seven- 
days retreat before Richmond. He was captured, 
exchanged and sent to Baltimore, where he died 
September 25, 1862, from his injuries. 

George B. Smith, of whom we write this life 
record, was born and reared on his father's old 
homestead and had the privileges of the common 
schools, supplementing this by an academic educa- 
tion at Elder's Ridge Academy. He then attended 
the Washington and Jefferson College, graduating 
therefrom in 1868, and immediately entered the 
Allegheny or Western Theological Seminary at 
Allegheny, Pa., from which he was graduated in 
1871. At this time our subject journe}ed West- 
ward as far as Seward County, Neb. Still pur- 



622 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



suing bis studies, lie entered, in 1876, tbe North- 
western Seminary at Chicago, and for a period of 
four years was located at Martinsburg, la., pro- 
ceeding from there to Johnson County, where he 
remained for a like period of time. The next three 
years were passed at Malcom, in this county, where 
be engaged in preaching, as he had done for some 
years previous. He has been Stated Clerk of the 
Presbytery at Iowa City for tbe past ten years. 

It was in March, 1889, that our subject con- 
cluded to turn liis time and attention to agricul- 
tural pursuits, and in accordance with that deter- 
mination he settled upon one hundred and sixty 
acres of land on section 21, Bear Creek Township, 
of whicii he became tbe owner some years pre- 
viously, in 1882. Since that time be has engaged 
in general farming and stock-raising, though he 
still preaches occasionally. In August, 1862, Mr. 
Smith enlisted in Company K, Fift3'-tbird Penn- 
sylvania Regiment, and took part in the battles at 
Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville, and was then 
sent on the Wilderness campaign, serving until 
after Lee's surrender and receiving an honorable 
discharge June 7, 1865. The last years of his 
army experience he was clerk at the brigade bead- 
quarters. The first vote cast by Mr. Smith was 
for Abraham Lincoln, and since that time he has 
been a standi Republican. 

September 20, 1871, Mr. Smith and Anna E. 
Caldwell were united in matrimony. Mrs. Smith 
was born in Westmoreland County, Pa., March 20, 
1842, and was the daughter of William S. and 
Nancy (Cunningham) Caldwell. The father was 
born in Westmoreland County, Pa., May 17, 1801, 
and died February 28, 1888. He was formerly a 
Whig and later an active supporter of the Repub- 
lican party, and religiously belonged to the Pres- 
byterian Church. His father, James Caldwell, emi- 
grated from Ireland when a lad of ten years, his 
birth having occurred February 21, 17.59, in Coun- 
ty Derry. On bis arrival in the United States he 
located in Pennsvlvania,where ho engaged in farm- 
ing. He crossed the Atlantic with bis father, 
Joseph, who lived for a few years in Sherman 
Valley, about 1780, and then removed to Sewick- 
ley, Westmoreland County. He reared a family of 
five sons and three daughters. James wedded Sarah 



Byram, who became the mother of three sons, 
Joseph, Ebenezer and William S., and also had 
seven daughters. William Caldwell, the father of 
Mrs. Smith, was twice married, bis first wife d3'ing 
April 14, 1872, leaving a family of three children, 
two of whom are living: Albert J. and Anna E. 
Ebenezer B. is deceased. He afterward married 
Miss Susan M. Frisbee. Mr. and Mrs. Smith are tbe 
parents of four children, viz.: Ray C, W. Julian, 
Nannie E. and Mary Helen. They are all living 
at home. Ra}' C. graduated with honors from the 
Collegiate Institute at Geneseo, 111., June 24, 
1892, and has since been employed in teaching 
school. W. Julian is now a student in the same 
school. 



AVID K. LEWIS, our subject, is a very 
1 intelligent and prominent fanner, living 
on section 22, Union Township, Johnson 
County, Iowa, and was born in North 
Wales, October 14, 1823, being the son of Evan 
Lewis, a native of that country, who came to 
America in 1832, and settled in Delaware County, 
Ohio, in which county he lived the remainder of 
his days, passing awa3' at the age of seventy-eight. 
The mother of our subject, Mary Lewis, a native 
of Noi'tb AVales, died in Columbus, Ohio, having 
borne her husband thirteen children. 

Our subject, the twelfth child of his parents, 
was nine years old when he crossed the ocean for 
America. He remained at home until he was twenty- 
one, and then learned the trade of a carpenter, at 
which he remained three years in Marion, Ohio; 
then, in the s|)ring of 1850, he crossed tbe plains to 
California, being ninety days upon the plains 
from Independence, Mo. He stopped at Hang- 
town, Cal., and was engaged in mining two years 
and three months, when be returned by way of Pan- 
ama and New York. Remaining in his Ohio home 
for a while, he then came to Johnson County, 
Iowa, in the year 1855. 

Our subject was married in Delaware County-, 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



623 



Ohio, December 15, 1853, to Sarah A. Williams, a 
native of Oliio. Our subject and wife are the 
parents of six children, all living: Lizzie, who 
attended the schools of Iowa City, living at home; 
Charles W., married, and residing in Union Town- 
ship; Frank L., a traveling man for a Chicago 
house; William R., living at home; Irene, wife of W. 
Carson, of Union Township; and Edwin J., living 
at home. Mr. Lewis located where he resides in 
June, 1856. No improvements were then made 
upon the place, and he kept adding thereto until 
he completed the improvements now upon it, 
which consist of a good house, barns and out- 
buildings. 

The farm of Mr. Lewis consists of one luindred 
and sixty acres, a valuable property, which he 
acquired b}' hard work and good management. 
In politics, he is a Republican, and has been called 
to many trusts in the township, to all of which he 
has been faithful. He has been Assessor, is Trustee, 
and has been a member of the School Board for four- 
teen years, and its Treasurer for that period. Mr. 
Lewis is a Director of the Farmers' Mutual Insur- 
ance Company, and was its Treasurer at the organ- 
ization of the company. Our subject is a believer 
in social organizations, was for many years a 
Good Templar, and belongs to the Blue Lodge, A. F. 
ife A. M., and has attained to the rank of Knight 
Templar. Mrs. Lewis is a member of the Method- 
ist Episcopal Church in Iowa Cit}'. 



TEPHEN H. THOMPSON is an extensive 
!^g^ farmer and stock-raiser of Lincoln Town- 
ship, Johnson County, making his home 
on section 4. Since 1862 he has given his 
special attention to breeding fine-wool sheep, and 
in 1866 became a resident of this county. His 
first purchase of land was a tract of eighty acres, 
the boundaries of his farm having since been in- 
creased to three hundred and twenty acres. In 
1866, going to Michigan, be purchased between 
five hundred and six hundred sheep, which he 



brought by train as far as Joliet, 111., from which 
point, on account of the high rates demanded by 
the railroad officials, he drove them through to 
Iowa City. He has met with exceptional success 
in raising sheep, with which most farmers exper- 
ience so much difficulty. His flock now consists 
of two hundred, which are unequaled west of the 
Mississippi, and Ids sales are extensive in various 
parts of the United States. In 1882 Mr. Thompson 
concluded to embark in a slightly different direc- 
tion, and accordingly purchased some thorough- 
bred Shorthorns, and at the present time he has, no 
doubt, the finest and largest herd in the county, 
numbering about seventy head. 

The Thompson family have been for five gener- 
ations citizens of the United States, their ancestors 
having emigrated from England. Our subject was 
the youngest of three sons whose parents were 
Daniel and Caroline (Allen) Thompson, both na- 
tives of the Empire State. Silas A. and Cyrus J. 
were twins. The former is a resident of Algona, 
Iowa, where he owns a large tract of land and is a 
prominent man. Cyrus J. enlisted in the Union 
service from Goshen, Ind., and was in the army 
one 3'ear. He is a lawyer by profession, having 
graduated at the Michigan University at Ann Ar- 
bor, and for the past quarter of a century has prac- 
ticed in St. Paul, Minn. He is an able advocate 
and a thoroughly intelligent lawyer. 

Stephen H. Thompson is a native of Michigan, 
born in Washtenaw County, and the date of his 
birth December 6, 1838. He was reared in the 
usual manner of farmers' boj's and received such 
limited education as could be obtained in the dis- 
trict schools of that early day. When but fourteen 
years of age he left his father's roof-tree and went 
to Auburn, N. Y., where he attended school and 
afterward was a teacher until he had reached his 
majority. He then engaged in farming in that 
State, and it was there that his attention was first 
turned to raising sheep, in which he was very suc- 
cessful from the start. As mentioned in the first 
paragi'a])h, he sold his farm in the Empire State in 
1866 and with the proceeds purchased property in 
Johnson Count^'. As a general farmer he has been 
thoroughly enteri)risiug, .and his farm is ranked 
among the best in the county. 



624 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



In Kew York State, October 15, 1867, Mr. Thomp- 
son and Miss Mary Jane Landon were united in 
marriage. To them have been born two sons, 
George A. and Frank L., who are both at home 
and, like their father, are actively engaged in fine 
stock-i-aising. Our subject is politicall}' a stanch, 
but not radical. Republican, and socially is a mem- 
ber of the Masonic fraternity. He ranks high in 
the estimation of his fellow-citizens and is justly 
classed among the best farmers and the most loyal 
citizens of the corainunitv. 



MARTIN BURGE. Among the leading 
farmers and breeders of fine live-Stock in 
Johnson Countj', the name of J. M. Burge 
takes a high rank. Since 1869 he has given 
almost his exclusive attention to raising high 
grades of stock and for many years dealtexclusively 
in Poland-China hogs. He has probably as ex- 
tensive and fine a drove of these animals as can 
be found in the possession of any man in the 
county. He keeps a fine line of cattle and horses 
and also handles draft and roadsters extensively'. 
Commencing with limited means, he owns to-day 
four hundred and twenty acres of fine land, all of 
which he farms himself and most of which he has 
accumulated. 

Born in Linn County, Iowa, in 1848, Mr. Burge 
has always made his home in his native State. He 
is the eldest in a family of seven children who grew 
to mature years, whose parents were John and 
Harriet (Ilarless) Burge, natives of Pennsylvania 
and Virginia, respectively. Our subject's grand- 
father, Jeremiah Burge, emigrated from the Key- 
stone State to Linn County, Iowa. He was a na- 
tive of Scotland and resides in Mt. Vernon, Iowa, 
at the age of ninetj'-flve years. In order of birlh his 
children are as follows: James, William, Jeremiah, 
John, Francis, Jane and Martha. The father of 
our subject is still living, being a resident of Mt. 
Vernon, Linn County. The names of Mr. Burge 's 



brothers and sisters are: Caroline, .Jennie, James' 
Richard T., Clarence and Lincoln. 

Mr. Burge grew to manhood in Mt. Vernon, 
Linn County, and was educated in the Cornell 
University of Mt. Vernon and the Iowa City Com- 
mercial College. In 1869 he was united in mar- 
riage with Mary J., eldest daughter of Joseph 
Walker. Their union is graced with a family of 
five children: Albert J., who is a graduate of the 
same commercial college as was his father, and is 
now a student in the academy at Iowa City; Jen- 
nie, J. Martin, Edith and Walker R. In 1869 Mr. 
Burge purchased his present farm, on which he has 
since made his home. Since the birth of the Re- 
publican part}' he has ever been a devoted ad- 
herent of its principles. He and his estimable wife 
hold membership with the Disciples Church of 
Iowa City. The family is numbered among the 
representative ones of the county and its mem- 
bers are well worthy of the high place they hold 
in the estimation of all. 



€>-^-<i 



■jfjOHN D. COLONY, our subject, is a member 
of a well-known and prominent family of 
Johnson County, much esteemed by every- 
body. He 'is an old settler, residing on 
section 19, in Clear Creek Township, Johnson 
County, Iowa, and was born in Knox County, Ohio, 
March 31, 1836, being a brother of Philo Colony, 
whose sketch, published elsewhere in this Record, 
contains an account of the parents. Our subject 
is the third son and fourth child, in fact the 
youngest of the family, and was seventeen years 
old when he came to Johnson County. A year 
later he started out for himself, working on a 
farm at $10 a month for the first year, and at the 
age of nineteen he began farming on his own ac- 
count, renting land. 

Our subject was married October 4, 1865, to 
Pamela Gilliland, who was born at Monmouth, 111., 
March 16, 1840, and came in August of that year 
to Iowa City, where she was reared and married, 




^.^:j I 



fkau fe^ 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



627 



Laving received a good education in Iowa City. 
Her father, Archie Gilliland, was a Virginian, 
of Scotch descent, who settled in Monmouth in 
1838, and came to Iowa City in 1840. He located 
there and carried on the business of a carpenter 
and cabinet-maker, and, an ardent Democrat, was 
elected Recorder of the county. He owned a 
farm six miles out of Iowa City, was greatly 
esteemed and died at the age of fifty. 

Mrs. Colony's mother, Sarah (White) Gilliland, 
was a native of Pennsjivania, of Scotch-Irish 
descent, and died at the age of sixty-three. She 
and her husband were the parents of nine chil- 
dren, five daughters and four sons, eight of whom 
grew to maturity, Mrs. Colony being the sixth 
child. Immediately after marriage our subject set- 
tled upon a farm in Clear Creek Township, where 
he lived four years, and then removed to Union 
Township, and bought a farm, upon which he 
lived six j'ears. He later sold this and rented a 
farm one year in Madison Township, when, in 
1876, he bought the farm where he now lives. 

Mr. and Mrs. Colony are the parents of six chil- 
dren, two daughters and four sons, namely: 
Charles K., married and living in Scott Township; 
George 0., living in Adair County, Iowa; J. Glenn, 
living at Rock Island: Philo C, a teacher in Har- 
rison Count}'; Lucy D., living at home; and M. 
Eldora, living at home. All of the children but 
the youngest have attended the schools of Iowa 
Cit3'. Mr. Colony has a farm of two hundred and 
forty .acres of cultivated land and ten acres of 
timberland, upon which he carries on general 
farming and stock-raising. He is an excellent 
judge of horses and has made the study of their 
diseases a specialty. In politics he is a Democrat, 
and has been Township Clerk for about four years. 
lie is a Steward and Trustee in the Methodist 
Episcopal Church, and a verj' generous supporter 
of his home organization. Mrs. Colony is also a 
member of the same churcli. Mr. Colony served 
three years in defense of his countrj', having en- 
listed in August, 1862. in Company E, Twentj-- 
eighth Iowa Infantry. He was in thirteen different 
battles, prominent among which were Ft. Gibson, 
Champion Ilill, Vicksburg, Jackson, Winchester, 
Cedar Creek and Fisher's Hill. In consequence 



of partial loss of sight he "draws $12 per month. 
He is a member of Iowa City Post No. 8, G. A. R. 
Our subject enlisted as a private and for gallant 
conduct was promoted from time to time, being 
discharged as First Lieutenant of his company. 



*^^^1 



\^^ 



AX OTTO was born on Christmas Day, 
1842, in a German village near Dussel- 
dorf. lie received a liberal education in 
the famed gymnasium of that school city. 
When twenty-four years old he came to America, 
and in the latter part of 1866 to Iowa City, where 
he at once entered upon active work as a school 
teacher in the building in the northern part of the 
town, which afterward became known as the Con- 
vent School. Five years later, he engaged in busi- 
ness on his own account as a dealer in musical in- 
struments, and a teacher of music. Probably there 
are many people in this county who did not know 
Mr. Otto was a most thoroughlj- cultivated musi- 
cian, of delicate and classic taste, and also one 
among the most competent instructors in the West. 
He laid down the work years ago, but his taste 
and appreciation for music did not wane in the 
least. In 1881 he established the Iowa City Post, 
a German newspaper, which he conducted with 
marked .ability and popularity for more than 
twelve j'ears, or until his death. 

Mr. Otto held no place in public affairs until the 
spring of 1882, when he was elected City Clerk. 
He held this office in consecutive years longer than 
any other in the city's half-century as an incoi'- 
poratiou, being re-elected in 1883, '84, '85 and '86, 
and it is no disparagement to the gentlemen who 
have filled this position to say that the city never 
had a better or more popular Clerk. In 1887 he 
entered upon his duties as Clerk of the District 
Court of this county, and his courtesy and faithful 
discharge of duty secured him so great popular 
favor that he was elected to thatoflice for a second 
and third time with only formal opposition, being 
nominated in the party convention fora second and 



628 



PORTRAIT AND BIO&RAPHlCAL RECORD. 



third term by acclamation, a most striking mark 
of public favor. He was for three years a member 
of the Iowa Cit3' School Board and served there 
with the same approbation as in other public posi- 
tions. Mr. Otto was married April 4, 1869, to Miss 
Kate Mclnerny, of this city, and to them were 
born two sons and five daughters: Agnes, Clemen- 
tine, May, Ralph, Joseph, Lucia and Helen. 

Our subject was a thorough gentleman, his aff- 
able disposition and kindness of heart winning 
for him a host of sincere friends and admirers. 
His death, which occurred March 14, 1893, was 
mourned by the entire community, who fully real- 
ized the extent of its loss in the remembrance of 
the great service rendered it by this honored 
gentleman. Following is a copy of the resolutions 
adopted by the .Johnson County Bar Association, 
in which are many expressions of love for him: 

THE KESOLUTIOXS ADOPTED. 

This morning at ten o'clock the business of the 
District Court was stopped, and the committee ap- 
pointed to draft resolutions of respect for the late 
Max Otto presented the following: 

Wheukas, since the last term of the District Court 
of J(jlinson County, Iowa, Max Otto, the late Clerk 
of said court, has been called from earth by the 
inexorable decree of death, and 

WiiEKEAS, he has served his city and county in 
official position so long and faithfully, and 

WiiEKEAs, during all his public life he has ever 
been attentive, painstaking and industrious — ever 
ready to servo the court, the members of the Bar 
and those in attendance upon the court, as well as 
private persons having dealings with him — always 
ready to do a favor regardless of the effort re- 
quired on his part, 

Thekefoke, do we, the members of the Bar of 
Johnson County, Iowa, hereb3' bear testimony to 
his manly character, his sterling honesty, his un- 
tiring energy and his unswerving fealty to duty, 
and be it 

Resolved, That his untimely demise is to each a 
personal loss of a true friend, and to the countj' 
and State the loss of a noble citizen, and we there- 
fore express our deep regret and sorrow and our 
sincere sympathy for the faniil3- of the deceased 
thus bereft of such a true husband and kind fa- 
ther. We bow to the decree of the All-Wise 
Creator and record our sentiments of lasting re- 
gard for the memory of the deceased. Be it 
further 

Resolved, That those resolutions be entered of 



record in the office of the Clerk of the District 
Court of Johnson County, Iowa, and that a copy, 
duly inscribed, be tendered to the famil.v of the 
deceased, and that the same be furnished to the 
city papers for publication. M. J. Wade, 

Geo. W. Ball, 
l rouinson, 

Com. 
Though gone from earth, Mr. Otto survives in 
many good deeds done by him, in the innumerable 
acts of kindness showered upon others, in the 
warm and close friendships formed by him, and in 
the stronghold which all these gave him in the af- 
fections of thousands who mourn him. 



JOHN H. CRAY is certainly a good example 
of what industry, when united with good 
judgment and perseverance, can do for a 
^^j_^^ man in this countr}^ of wide opportunities 
for making a fortune. When he began his busi- 
ness career it was with limited means, but steadily 
j^ear by year he added to his possessions until he 
is now the owner of three hundred acres of val- 
uable farm land in Pleasant Valley Township, on 
section 32, where he makes his home. The efforts 
of years are now crowned with success, which is 
entirely well merited. 

In Somerset County, N. J., occurred the birth of 
our subject, the date of that event being June 
20, 1840. He w.as one of a family of nine chil- 
dren born to Christopher and Priscilla (Ulick) 
Cray, who were both natives of New Jersey. Our 
subject's maternal grandparents came from Eng- 
land and .Scotland, respectively, while the Crays 
were descended from German ancestiy. AVith his 
parents when fifteen years of age, he came to John- 
son County, Iowa, and located just south of his 
present place of residence. There he grew to man- 
hood, and in 1866 went to Colorado and Wyom- 
ing Territories, where he engaged in teaming for 
three years, doing fairly well. In 1871 he re- 
turned to his home in Iowa, and on April 16 of 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



629 



tliat year was united In marriage with Miss Sylvia 
Knapp. To them have been born five cluldren, 
who are all living and are as follows: Carrie M., 
Rosa Z., Ethel L., Lizzie B. and Calvin C. The 
three older children are receiving good school ad- 
vantages in the Iowa City schools, wliile Ethel L., 
the youngest daughter, is now attending school at 
St. Charles, 111. Mrs. Cray died July 20, 1888. 
June 30, 1891, Mr. Cra}' was married to Miss Sarah 
Stout, of AVashington County, Iowa, who was born 
January 22, 1851. 

Mr. Craj' and bis family are members of the 
Jletiiodist Episcopal Church at Lone Tree, of 
Eremont Townsiiip, and are active workers in the 
same. Our subject is a stanch Republican and is a 
public-spirited citizen. He is honorable and con- 
scientious in character, and in his business is wide- 
awake and sagacious. He exercises good manage- 
ment in the care and cultivation of his farm, which 
is a model of thrift and neatness. He has a com- 
fortable home, which bears the marks of refinement 
and culture and has substantial barns and other 
necessary farm buildings. For nearly forty years 
he has been connected with the prosperit3' and de- 
velopment of the county, and is well worthy of 
representation in the records of the honored pio- 
neers of tills community. It is therefore with 
great pleasure that we present this brief tribute of 
his manly worth to his many friends and neigh- 
bors in this vicinity, who hold him in the highest 
regard. 



<! ir^7 RANK N. MEYER, a prominent young 
U^^ business man of energy and ability and a 
/1|) "' successful lumber dealer of the flourishing 
town of Solon, Johnson Count}', Iowa, although 
in early manhood, is widely known and highly re- 
garded. Enterprising, ambitious and intelligent, 
lie now eflicientl}^ liandles a large business, which 
is rapidly extending its limits far out into the sur- 
rounding country and adjacent townships. Born 



in Johnson Cqunty, Iowa, December 31, 1859, our 
subject is the sou of Anton Meyer, a native of 
Germany, but who emigrated to America and lo- 
cated in Johnson County about two-score years 
ago. Anton Meyer was a single man just enter- 
ing upon mature years when he crossed the broad 
Atlantic to the land of promise and was safely 
landed upon American shores. His first sojourn 
in Iowa was brief, inducements for work drawing 
him to Michigan. Marrying in this latter State, 
he afterward returned to Iowa and. settling in 
Johnson County, was there residing at the time of 
the birth of Frank N. He had purchased land 
and for four years was engaged in the arduous 
duties of a tiller of the soil. 

At the expiration of this length of time tlie fa- 
ther, mother and famil}' removed to the northern 
peninsula of Michigan, where Mr. Anton Me3'er 
received the excellent position of boss carpenter, 
and for the next eighteen years the family re- 
mained in the copper mining region. In 1875, 
tlie parents with their children returned to Iowa 
and located in Solon, where the father and four 
of his sons engaged in the carpenter business. 
Anton Meyer is now sixty-eight years of age and 
a highl}' respected resident of tlie town where he 
has spent so many j^ears of his useful life. Six of 
his ten children still survive, all occupyiug posi- 
tions of influence, and with thrifty iudustry are 
winning their upward wa}' to assured prosperity. 
Our subject was reared in northern Michigan and 
received the educational advantages whicli liis sur- 
roundings afforded, and in late boyhood was em- 
ployed in a stamping-mill. After his return to 
Iowa in 1875, he worked at the bench as carpenter 
and profitably engaged in the duties of his trade 
until May 9, 1890, when he entered into the lum- 
ber business in Solon. Keeping a complete stock 
of all desirable goods and grades of lumber, and 
thoroughly understanding the details of the trade, 
INIr. Mej'er has from the very first made a success 
of his line of business, and already controls a yard 
second to none in this part of tlie county. 

Our subject was married November 24, 1891, to 
Miss Amelia Zenisheck. of Johnson Countv, Iowa, 
and a daughter of George Zenisheck, a native Bo- 
hemian, and now a prosperous fanner of BigGrove 



630 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Township. Mrs. Meyer is a lady of intelligent 
worth, and with her husband is a regular attend- 
ant of the Catholic Church, St. Mary's, of Solon. 
Mr. and Mrs. Me3-er are social favorites and en- 
joy the confidence and esteem of a large circle of 
friends. Politically, our subject is a Democrat and 
a strong advocate of the party of the people. An 
earnest young man of undoubted ability and sterl- 
ing integritj' of ciiaracter, Mr. Meyer, as a self- 
reliant and progressive citizen, lias a bright future 
before him. 



LBERT DAVIDSON is one of the exten- 
sive land owners and stock-raisers of 
Poweshiek County, owning a farm of four 
^l(/ liundred and eighty acres in Bear Creek 

Township, on section 17. This is thoroughly well- 
improved, and all under good cultivation. He 
has cultivated this farm since 1881, at which time 
he took up his abode upon it, though at that time 
he was only the owner of two hundred acres. For 
over twenty years he and his wife have been ac- 
tive workers in the Methodist Episcopal Church, 
and have also taken an interested part in every 
good movement tending to benefit and promote 
the welfare of this community. His birth occurred 
June 17, 1854, near Clinton, Pa. Removing to 
Iowa in 1855, he received a common-school educa- 
tion, and on reaching his majority started out to 
make his own fortune. For six months he worked 
for his father, after which he rented a farm of him 
for the following Ave years. He was successful, 
and in return for his care and labor was blessed 
with abundant crops. He therefore purchased a 
farm in 1881, and has steadil3' added to the orig- 
inal tract. 

Our subject's grandfather, .John Davidson, was 
was born in County Tyrone, Ireland, April 15, 
1792, and when he iiad reached the age of sixteen 
he crossed the Atlantic, settling in New York in 
1808 and later removed to Beaver County, Pa., 



where he engaged in farming. While in the 
former State he was engaged in building and 
working on the Erie Canal. In 1854 he came 
West to Iowa, purchasing two hundred acres of 
land near Brooklyn, this county, and removed his 
family here in June of the following year. At 
the time of his death, April 11, 1880, he had ac- 
cumulated a valuable estate of about six hundred 
acres, which were well improved. He was one of 
the organizers of the Brooklyn Methodist Episco- 
pal Church, and was an active Republican. He 
was first married to Mary M. Thompson in 1818, 
and by this first union had fourteen cliildren, but 
had none by the second. 

John, Jr., our subject's father, was born in 
Beaver Countj% Pa., August 15, 1832, and after 
receiving a fair education engaged in teaching 
school. With his father and three brothers he 
drove through the country to Iowa, and on ac- 
count of the almost trackless wilderness, was not 
able to progress more than thirty miles a dny. On 
their arrival he purchased one hundred and sixty 
acres of wild prairie on section 15, which he im- 
proved. As the years passed he became quite a 
landed proprietor, and at the time of liis demise 
owned over one thousand acres, lie taught the 
first school in the city of Brooklyn, and served in 
the ofHcial positions of County Assessor for two 
terms and Justice of the Peace. In political be- 
lief, he was first a Democrat and later in life be- 
came affiliated with the Republican party. He was 
an extensive raiser and shipper of live stock, and 
was one of the leading men in the community 
where he made his home. Moreover, he was one 
of the oiiginal and prominent members of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church, and was fraternally 
a Mason. 

John Davidson was twice married, his first wife 
being Rachael Davidson, who was born in Penn- 
sylvania, and whose father, Andrew, was an agri- 
culturist in the Keystone State. Mrs. Davidson 
was one of five children, and was called from this 
life when only tliirty-two years of age, dying in 
1861. Our subject's father afterward was united 
in marriage with Laviuia Higgins, a native of 
Pennsylvania. Four children graced this union, 
Herbert W. being the only surviving member of 




^t.SiDLlvCL uF V/ILL;AM R.MORRlSuU, oLC.S. PiTAo/^,.'; T -', Pu'ul L5H Iti Cij. !, 




RES1D[:NCl 01^ AlBt 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



633 



the family. The mother is yet surviving, being a 
resident of Brooklyn, Iowa. 

On the 18th of December, 1878, Miss Kate Dun- 
lap was united in marriage with Albeit Davidson, 
at the home of her parents, William and Elizabeth 
(Zink) Dunl.ip. Mrs. Davidson was born in Bed- 
ford Count3', Pa., and by her marriage has two 
sons, William A. and Ernest L. 



VILLIAM R. MORRISON, carries on a farm 
of two hundred and fifteen acres on section 
6, Pleasant Township, Poweshiek County. 
He is engaged in general farming, keeping the 
best grades of stock, and is successful as a business 
man. He was born in Greenbrier Count}', Va., 
in the spring of 1832 and grew to mature years 
near his birthplace. When he was quite a child 
his father removed to Allen County, Ohio, and in 
1854 the famil}' made a permanent location in 
Poweshiek Count}', Iowa, settling in the vicinity 
of Brooklyn. Our subject is the third in order 
of birth in a family of eight children born to John 
and Margaret (Pendleton) Morrison. The father 
was a native of Greenbrier County, Va., where 
on arriving at man's estate he was married to a 
lady of that county. His father, Andrew Morri- 
son, of an old Virginia family, was of Scotch ex- 
traction and was in service in the War of 1812. 
He was a member of the old Whig party and his 
sons followed in his footsteps in regard to politi- 
cal questions. 

In the year 1859 William K. Morrison was mar- 
ried to Miss Catherine Barnes, this union being 
graced with four children, three of whom are still 
living, namely: Alonzo B., George W. and Will- 
ard Frank. Emma is deceased. In 1869 our sub- 
ject was again married, Miss Mary A. Gross being 
the lady of his choice. Of their eight ciiildren 
three are deceased, namely: Fred, Mattie and 
Milton. Their living children are: John A., Net- 
tie J., Samuel E., Charles W. and Reuben W. His 
oldest son, John, is interested with his father, and 



is a rising j'oung business man, one whom it is 
safe to prophesy will become one of the active and 
successful business men of the community. Three 
brotheisof Mr. Morrison served in the War of the 
Rebellion, two of them, Jesse and Alexander, re- 
turning safely at the close of the war, but George 
is supposed to have been killed while on the Red 
River expedition. They were brave and valiant 
soldiers, ready to lay down their lives on the altar 
of their countrj', as thousands were obliged to do. 
In his political affiliations our subject is an ardent 
Republican and a truly worthy citizen. 



4^ 



^> 



SAAC PATTY, a leading agriculturist of 
Sugar Creek Township, Poweshiek County, 
Iowa, is largely interested in stock-raising, 
handling upon his fine farm of half a section 
magnificent Norman horses and high-grade Short- 
horn cattle. Since 1876 a constant resident of 
his present locality, our subject has during this 
time gained a high place in the confidence and 
esteem of the community, and has occupied for five 
successive seasons the position of School Director, 
in which official capacity he has materially assisted 
in the advancement of the schools of the district, 
and aided in the promotion of higher instruction 
and scholarship. Mr. Patty is a native of Indiana, 
and was born in Marion County, where he was 
reared and educated in the common schools of the 
neighborhood. His parents, John and Elizabeth 
(Wilson) Patty, were blessed with a family of nine 
children, of whom our subject is the third in order 
of birth. The paternal great-grandfather Patty 
was a native of England, but early emigrated to 
the United States and with his wife made his home 
in South Carolina, where the paternal grandfather, 
.James Patty, was born. The famil}- were Quakers, 
and .James Patty, a man of sterling character, be- 
came a minister of the sect and w.as widely known 
in that portion of the Sunny South. 

The father of our subject, John Patty, was born 
and reared in Soutli Carolina and early learned 



6U 



PORTRAIT AND RlOGRAPHlCAl, RECORD. 



tlie blacksmith's trade. His wife, Elizabeth, was 
a native of Penns3'lvania, but after their marriage 
they made their home in Ohio for some time, later 
removing to Indiana. In 1852 Isaac Patty left 
his birthplace and settled in Hamilton Count}', 
Ind., where he remained until 1876, engaging at 
Carmel, north of Indianapolis, in blaeksmithing 
and carriage-manufacturing. Some seventeen 
years ago Mr. Patt}' came with his family to Iowa, 
and having determined to devote himself to agri- 
cultural pursuits, purchased in Poweshiek County 
a half-section of land, where he and his son Ed- 
ward at once entered piincipally into stock-rais- 
ing, breeding only finely graded horses and 
cattle, of the Norman and Shorthorn variety, 
respectively. In this line of business our subject 
has been especially successful, producing some of 
the best horses and cattle found in this part of 
the State. Nor is the general farming neglected, 
the broad acres blossoming year after year with a 
harvest whose ample abundance liberally rewards 
the tiller of the soil. The homestead is one of 
the most attractive in the county, the finely culti- 
vated land and superior improvements presenting 
to the passer-by a scene of thrift and prosperity. 

Unto our subject and his excellent wife have 
been born eight children. Florence, the eldest, is 
the wife of W. W. Hildebrand, of Le Mars; Charles 
was the first son; Edward, as before stated, is in 
partnership with his father in the management of 
the home farm; May is the wife of G. K. Hayes, of 
Searsboro; Paul makes his home in Des Moines; 
Lizzie is the wife of Frank A. Houston, of Sears- 
boro; and Ray and Dena both live in Le Mars. All 
of the brothers and sisters in their various loca- 
tions occup3' positions of usefulness and influence, 
commanding the respect and high regard of a large 
circle of friends and acquaintance. Mr. Patty is 
a valued member of the Methodist Episcopal 
Chiirch, and ably assists in the good works and 
benevolent enterprises of that religious oiganiza- 
tiou. He is politicall}' a stalwart Republican and 
earnestly advocates the principles of the party of 
reform and progress. In all matters of public in- 
terest in liis neighborhood and county he takes an 
active part and is thorouglily posted upon national 
issues. As a public-spirited man and progressive 



citizen he is prominently connected with the pro- 
motion and growth of the important interests of 
the township, and is numbered among the sub- 
stantial and leading representatives of the county. 



^^ AMUEL A. ALLEN, an influential farmer 
^^^ of Union Township, Poweshiek County, is 
one of the oldest living settlers and pio- 
neers of this region. He has resided over 
forty years in this State, and since 1864 has been 
a resident of Union Township. He purchased at 
that time one hundred and six acres of good land 
in section 20, where he has since made his home. 
He has greatly improved and developed the land, 
and upon it has substantial and commodious build- 
ings, and he now owns five hundred and eighty-six 
acres. 

Samuel Allen was the sixth in order of birth in 
a family of thirteen children born to Isam and 
Martha (Montgomery) Allen, the former born in 
North Carolina in May, 1793, and the latter in 
Virginia in January, 1798. Our subject's birth 
occurred in Morgan County, Ky., in 1827, and 
when a child his parents removed to Parke County, 
Ind., where he grew to manhood. In the War of 
1812 his father enlisted in the American cause, 
serving for six months. His father in turn, whose 
name was Isaac, was an agriculturist, as the family 
had been for many generations past. His ances- 
tors emigrated from England, and he as well as 
our subject's maternal grandfather, John Mont- 
gomerj', served in the Revolutionary War. The 
family of thirteen children, of whom our subject 
is one, all grew to mature years, and two of his 
brothers, Isam and AVilliam, enlisted in the For- 
tieth Iowa Infantry in 1862, and one of them 
served until the close of the war. 

In Indiana, November 18, 1847, a wedding cere- 
mony united the fortunes of Samuel A. Allen and 
Sarah J., a daughter of Zachariah and Mar}- (Tay- 
lor) Barnes, who had removed to Indiana at an 
early day from Kentucky. On beginning their 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPlnCAL RECORD. 



635 



married life, Mr. and Mrs. Allen had but limited 
means, tlie wife having as her dowry the prover- 
bial cow and our subject having but little more 
capital than a horse. To-day, as they with just 
pride view their bioad acres and well-cultivated 
fields, which stretch in all directions from their 
hospitable home, they feel that "truly goodness 
and mercy have attended their pathway," and have 
blessed with abundant success the years of industry 
and toil which have brought to them the compe- 
tenc3' wliich is now theirs. In 1852 they located 
in Mahaska County, Iowa, where they made their 
home for twelve years, and since that time have 
resided in Union Township. They are active 
members of the old Christian Church at Forest 
Home. Politically, Mr. Allen is a stanch Demo- 
crat, having been an active worker in his party's 
interests since becoming a voter. Socially, he is a 
member of the Masonic fraternity, and personally 
is entitled to the good-will and confidence of his 
friends and neighbors on account of the upright 
career and honorable life he has led among them. 
Of the seven children who graced the union of 
Mr. and Mrs. Allen, four are still living. William 
L. is a resident of this township; Mary A., the wife 
of Thomas Farmer, died leaving two children ; Mar- 
tha died in her girlhood; Isam T. is next in order of 
birth; .Joseph R. is deceased; Baile3' A. is married 
and makes his home with his father; and Irvin C. 
is a resident of the county. 



^^+^ 



f4^ ENRY CODE. The dry-goods and notion 
house par excellence of Marengo is the spa- 
^ cious and handsome emporium of Henry 
Gode,which is eligibly located in theBaumer 
Block and occupies two floors. It is in all respects a 
leading and well-appointed establishment, wliere is 
always displaj'cd an unusually fine and very com- 
plete assortment of everything in the lines indi- 
cated, every department being replete with the 
latest novelties. The prices are quoted, too, at 
rock-bottom figures, yet no inferior goods are 



allowed to be placed in stock, patrons being as- 
sured of receiving honest value and satisfactory 
treatment in this deservedly popular store. He 
does an annual business of over $50,000, buys large 
lots in the best markets, and makes three or four 
trips to the East annuall3' for his stock. He em- 
ploys from five to sis assistants, his brother Deit- 
rich being an old and experienced shoe man and 
superintendent of the shoe department, while his 
brother Claus is stock-keeper and window-draper, 
in which he is an expert and shows great Laste. 

Henry Gode was born in Ilolle, Oldenburg, 
German}', Ma}' 17, 1856, where his father and 
grandfather were born. The latter was a farmer, 
but the former was a cooper by trade, in connec- 
tion with tilling the soil, and was a collector of 
taxes for some years in his native land, as well as 
a prominent member of the School Board. In 
March, 1869, he brought his family to America, 
one son and two daughters having preceded liim 
to this country. They took passage at Bremen on 
the steamer "Deutchland," which was one of the 
North German Lloyd line, and at the end of 
fourteen days landed at New York and at once 
proceeded to Steubenville. He remained there 
only one month, then came to Iowa County and 
rented land until the following September, when 
he purchased one hundred and^ twenty acres of 
land three miles southeast of Marengo, where he 
continued farming and stock-raising until 1880, 
when he rented his place and retired to private 
life in Marengo, in which city he breathed his last 
January 31, 1892, at the age of seventy-six years, 
a member of the Lutheran Church. 

Mr. Gode was first married to Margarette Von 
Campen, a native ofOldeuburg, who died in 1852, 
at the age of thirty-six j-ears, leaving four chil- 
dren: Minnie, Mrs. F. Floto, of Steubenville, Ohio; 
Ahlke, Mrs. F. Wichmann, of Iowa Township, this 
county; Gesine, Mrs. C. Rehling, of Steubenville, 
Ohio; and Deitricb, who is in his brother's store 
in Marengo. Mr. Code's second marriage was to 
Catherine Von Campen, a sister of his first wife, 
and a. daughter of Diedrich Von Campen, a farmer 
of Germany. She died in 1878, at the age of fifty- 
eight years, having become the mother of five 
children, four of whom reached maturity-: Henry; 



636 



POrtTHAlT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



John, a farmer of the county; Glaus, wlio is in his 
brother's store; and Fred, who resides on the old 
homestead near Marengo. 

Henrj Gode remained in the town of his birth 
until about tliirteen years of age and received a 
common education in the national schools. In 
1869 he accompanied his parents to this country, 
after which he attended school for a short time, 
and followed farming until about 1875, when he 
became a clerk for H. Deffindaugh, a general mer- 
chant, with whom he remained for about nine 
years, or until 1884, when he started a like estab- 
lishment on his own account in partnership with 
E. J. Evans, the firm being known as Gode & Evans. 
Although the stock was very small the business 
continued to prosper, and in November, 1884, Mr. 
Gode became the sole proprietor and has remained 
alone ever since. He removed his stock to the south 
side of the public square in the Reno Building, 
later removing his goods to the old Methodist Epis- 
copal Church, which had been remodeled for a store 
building, but since 1888 has been established at 
his present place. He has from time to time en- 
larged his stock until he now has one of the most 
extensive and complete lines of goods. The first 
floor of his estal^lisliment he uses as a salesroom for 
dry goods, notions, groceries, etc., and his second 
floor for carpets, curtains, cloaks, etc. He has the 
largest stock of carpets in the count}', and from 
his stock supplied the well-known Hotel Ketchara. 
Since establishing himself in business liere he in- 
troduced the Davenport woolen goods, which are 
becoming very popular. He has connection with 
his upp(!r room by means of stairs and elevator. 

Mr. Gode is a stockholder in the Marengo Saving 
Bank and in the Farmers' Savings Bank at Vic- 
tor. He has a very handsome residence on Wash- 
ington and La Fayette Streets. He was married 
in Marengo February 25, 1880, to Miss INIinnie S. 
Bennick, who was born in Holstein, Geimanj^, a 
daughter of Casper Bennick, who was a successful 
cabinet-maker and mechanic. He was a member 
of the artillery in the Holstein-Schlcswig War and 
the bursting of a cannon caused him to become 
perfectly deaf. He brought his family to Amer- 
ica and now makes his home with his daughter, 
Mrs. Gode. Mr.and Mrs. Gode liave five cliildren: 



Charles H., Helen A., Florence M., and Orrin D. and 
Irvin C, twins. Mr. Gode is a member of the 
City Council, is Fire Warden, and on several 
important committees. Socially, he is a member 
of the Ancient Free & Accepted Masons, the Inde- 
pendent Order of Odd Fellows, the N. W. Legion 
of Honor, and the Iowa Legion of Honor, and in 
politics has always been a Republican. He is a 
member of the Presbyterian Church, in which he 
has been Secretary- of the Board of Trustees. 



m 



ORNELIUS LEE ROBBERTS, the very pop- 
ular subject of this sketch, is a thor- 
oughly representative citizen of Grinnell, 
Iowa, and a veteran of the late war with a most 
creditable record as a soldier. He represents the 
well-known house of Logan & Co., grain dealers 
and commission merchants of Chicago. The office 
at Grinnell is supplied with every possible conven- 
ience, having direct telegraph communication with 
the Chicago Board of Trade, thus securing through- 
out the day all the fluctuations of the market. 
Mr. Robberts was born in Edinburgh, Bartholo- 
mew County, Ind., December 16, 1840, being the 
son of Cornelius Robberts, a native of Tennessee, 
whose father emigrated from Virginia to that 
State. Cornelius Robberts was a farmer and was de- 
scended on the mother's side from a family of the 
name of Lee. In the year 1821 he went to Indi- 
ana, bought a quantity of Government land, and 
built upon it a log cabin in the following year, 
which yet stands. He engaged extensively in 
stock-raising upon his tract of four hundred acres, 
which originally was mostly timber. This he pro- 
ceeded to clear witli assiduity, developing it into 
a capital farm, which he sold in 1856. Then with 
horses and wagon he drove from Indiana to Iowa, 
taking his family, siich of them as were tlien at 
home, with him, and settling near Newton, in Jas- 
per County, upon a farm. 

James F.,ttie brother of our subject, had come to 
Iowa in 1848, locating in Poweshiek County, about 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



637 



two miles south of the present site of Grinnelh 
James is now a Congregational minister, serving a 
charge acceptably in Oklahoma. The father im- 
proved the farm near Newton and operated it un- 
til he retired from active life, when he removed to 
Grinnell, where he died in 1868. The mother of 
our subject, Mary Morton Robberts, was born in 
Lexington, Ky., the daughter of a planter of that 
section, and died in 1864. She was the mother of 
nine ciiildren, all of whom grew to maturity, but 
only two are living, the Rev. James F. and our 
subject. The latter is the youngest of the nine 
and was reared in Indiana, where he received his 
schooling and grew up to farm work. In early life 
he removed to Jasper Count}', Iowa, where he re- 
mained until 1861. He then bought a farm four 
miles south, in Washington Township, consisting 
of two hundred acres, upon which he settled. 

The sense of duty to his country impelled our 
subject to enlist, August 16, 1862, in Company K, 
Twenty-eighth Iowa Infantry. He was mustered 
in at Iowa City and sent South, where he took 
part in the following memorable engagements: 
Ft. Gibson, Jackson, Raymond, Champion Hills and 
the siege of Vicksburg; he was then sent to New 
Orleans and on the Red River expedition, and par- 
ticipated in the fight at Sabine Cross Roads. His 
command was then ordered to Virginia and to the 
Shenandoah Vallev, where he took part in the fol- 
lowing battles: Cedar Creek, Winciiester and Fish- 
er's Hill. After this he was ordered on the ex- 
pedition to Ft. Fisher, N. C, and thence to Sav- 
annah, to the relief of Sherman. He stayed there 
awhile and then proceeded to Morehead City, af- 
ter which he joined Sherman and continued until 
the surrender of Johnston. 

After this great event, Mr. Robberts went with his 
regiment back to Savannah and then proceeded to 
Augusta, where he was mustered out, he then being 
a First Corporal, July 22, 186.5, and he reached his 
home August 16, next. He was never off duty dur- 
ing his entire term of service, though he was struck 
at Fisher's Hill b}' a ball in the right side. Re- 
turning home, he went to work anew, improving 
his farm and busying himself in growing grain, 
raising and feeding stock, until 1875, when liesold 
out and located at Grinnell. Here he engaged in 



the shipping of stock and the selling of meat at 
retail until 1879, when he began to buy grain at 
Lewis, in Cass County. At the latter place he 
built an elevator and bought grain and stock until 
1882, when he located in Oakland, Pottawattamie 
County, continuing in the same business as at 
Lewis until November, 1885, when he settled at 
Grinnell, where he has since remained, engaged in 
the buying of grain or stock. He was first asso- 
ciated with Bray & Co. until 1887, after which he 
made an exclusive business of buying grain, build- 
ing an elevator with a capacity of fifty thousand 
bushels. 

Mr. Robberts was married in Jasper County, 
Iowa, in 1858, to Miss Hester Wilson, a native of 
Indiana, and two living children bless the union, 
Harry E. and Lo3'al Grant, both partners of their 
father. In August, 1892, he became the represen- 
tative of F. G. Logan, of Chicago, securing direct 
communication by telegraph and receiving reports 
from all points. The religious convictions of our 
subject are strong, being based on deliberate re- 
flection and stud}', his association and membership 
being with the Congregational Church. He is a 
member of the ISIasonic order, being reputed a 
"bright" brother, and also a member of Gordon 
Granger Camp No. 358, G. A. R., and was Com- 
mander at Oakland. Deep-seated faith holds him 
to the Republican party, in which he has been al- 
together at home since the beginning ol that party. 
His fellow-citizens elected him Alderman from the 
Second Ward, a position which he held for four 
years to the satisfaction of all parties. 



m>-^^<'^^- 



^<^^EORGE D. JOHNSON, a prosi)erous gen- 
(|| ^—^ eral agriculturist. Justice of the Peace and 
^^^^1 Town Trustee of Chester Township, Powe- 
shiek County, Iowa, has for many years been in- 
timately associated with the growing interests of 
his locality and commands the universal esteem of 
all who know him. Our subject is a native of 
Poughkeepsie, N. Y., but in early 3'outh removed 



638 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



with his parents to Knox County, Ohio, where he 
received a fair education in the common schools 
and arrived at manhood. Responding to the call 
of his country', he gallantly enlisted in Company 
F, Sixty-fifth Infantry and bravely served the 
Government three years and a few months, during 
which time he was never absent from active duty 
and passed througli a most perilous campaign 
without a single wound. Participating in numer- 
ous decisive engagements, he took part in the bat- 
tles of Shiloli, Corinth, Stone River, Chiclcamauga, 
Kenesaw Mountain, siege of New Hope, Atlanta, 
Jouesboro, Nashville, Franklin and Spring Hill, 
and was also present at Missionary Ridge and in 
the famous charge victoriously ending at Bragg's 
headquarters. In seventeen of the fiercest fights of 
the Rebellion he distinguished himself by faithful 
and courageous conduct upon the field, and was 
mustered out with a shining record of military ser- 
vice. - 

Not long after the close of the war, Mr. John- 
son came to Iowa and located in Iowa County. 
December 2, 1866, lie was united in marriage with 
Miss Emeline C. Biddlcraan, daughter of G. R. 
Biddleman, one of the pioneer settlers of the 
county, and a man of prominence and native 
worth. Mr. Biddleman was a native of New 
Jersey, but afterward removing to Ohio, was there 
married and later made his home in the West. Mr. 
and Mrs. Johnson are the parents of one child, a 
daughter, Bertha M., a graduate of the High 
School of Grinnell, and a cultured lady, who has 
been one of the most successful teachers of Powe- 
shiek County. The wife and daughter of our sub- 
ject possess the sincere friendship of a large circle 
of acquaintances and occup}' in their home locality 
positions of usefulness and influence. They are 
both members of the Methodist Episcopal Church 
and are actively interested in the religious and 
benevolent work of that denomination, also aiding 
in the social enterprises of their neighborhood and 
vicinity. The home farm of Mr. Johnson, con- 
taining one hundred and sixty acres, is under high 
cultivation and finely improved with excellent 
buildings, an attractive and comfortable residence, 
substantial barns and outbuildings. Financially, 
our subject has been successful. Beginning life 



with little or no capital, he has by his own self- 
reliant efforts won his way upward to a comfort- 
able competence, and now enjoys the fruits of 
years of early toil. 

Politicallj', Mr. Johnson is a stanch Republican, 
and holds a prominent position in the local coun- 
cils of his party. As an oflicial he has in his capa- 
city of Town Trustee for four years materially as- 
sisted in the promotion of public improvements and 
aided in the development of home enterprise and 
progress. Fraternalli', our subject is an honored 
member of the Ancient Free & Accepted Masons 
and is also connected with the Grand Army of the 
Republic Post of Grinnell, whose annual reunions 
recall vividl}' the stirring scenes and incidents of 
thirty years ago. As George D. Johnson served 
his country in her hour of need, he serves her yet 
to-da3', exercising the faithful citizenship which 
untiringly guards in time of peace the happiness 
and future prosperity of the great American na- 
tion. 



AHLON A. SHEETZ, the popular Post- 
master and one of the leading business 
men of Williamsburgh, is a native of 
Pennsylvania, where his birth occurred on 
April 20, 1826. He was the eldest of a family of 
nine children born to Jared and Magdalena 
Sheetz, who, as the name indicates, were of Ger- 
man extraction. However, it was long before the 
AVar of Independence that their ancestors left the 
Fatherland, for we find that not only the father, 
but the grandfather of our subject, was born in 
Pennsylvania, and an uncle on the maternal side 
served in the War of 1812. The father, Jared 
Sheetz, was a Lutheran preacher and a most ex- 
emplaiy Christian man. In 1839 he removed 
with his family to the prairies of Illinois, locating 
in Stephenson County, where he passed the re- 
mainder of his life, his death taking place in 1876. 
A brother of our subject, H. A., served in the 
late war as a member of the Eighth Illinois Infan- 
tiy, bearing the rank of Lieutenant in Company 




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



639 



F, and in the battle of Ft. Douelson fell dead, 
pierced by a rebel ball. lie was the first Union 
soldier to be bi-ought home to Freeport, 111., dead. 
J. A., another brother, went out on the first three- 
months call as a private in the Eighth Illinois In- 
fantry and served until the close of the war. For 
bravery and fidelity he was promoted from time 
to time until he became Colonel of his regiment, 
and was before the close of the war breveted Briga- 
dier-General. He departed this life in Freeport, 
in 1882, his loss being deeply lamented b}' the 
many friends he had gathered around him during 
his long years of residence in that city. L. A. was 
Adjutant of the Eighth Illinois Infantry, and 
served until the close of the war. He is now a 
prominent physician at Algona, Iowa. Our sub- 
ject enlisted in Company H, E^ighth Illinois In- 
fantry, in January, 1865, and participated in the 
battles of Spanish Fort and Ft. Blakeley, continu- 
ing in the service until January, 1866, when he 
was discharged. Thus it can be seen that of the 
five brothers, four fought on Southern battlefields 
for their country, and the3', with all the brave 
soldiers who fought so long and well, surely' de- 
serve the unqualified praise and admiration of all 
generations. 

Returning to Freeport Mr. Sheetz remained 
there for about one year, tlien, coming to Iowa, 
located on a farm some four miles from Williams- 
burgh, which he continued to carry on until 1884, 
when, removing to the village, he engaged in the 
harness business, in which he is still occupied. 
When President Harrison took his place as the 
head of the nation, he appointed our subject Post- 
master of Williamsburgh, where he has proven him- 
self most efficient, thoroughly obliging and satis- 
factory in all respects. He has been a life-long 
Republican, as was his father and all of his broth- 
ers; he is a prominent Grand Army man and at 
present Commander of the post in this village, 
and a valued member of the Presbyteiian Church. 

On July 28, 1850, a marriage ceremony was 
performed which united the fortunes of Mr. Sheetz 
and Miss Alta M. Merrill, a n.ative of the Empire 
State. They have been blessed with four children: 
A. F., who died when twenty-two years of age; 
A. M., who is engaged wilh his father in the har- 



ness business; W. L.; and L. W., who is a music 
teacher and Superintendent of music in the pub- 
lic schools of Burlington, Iowa. He was given 
superior musical training, pursuing his studies at 
Mt. Pleasant and Burlington, Iowa. 



.y 



EVAN ROWLAND, our subject, is a retired 
farmer, residing on section 16, West Lucas 
Township, Johnson County, Iowa. He is 
a man with a superior knowledge of the horse and 
is now giving his attention to tine thorough-bred 
stable horses. He was born in Cambria Count}', 
Pa., July 25, 1854, being the son of Owen Row- 
land, a native of Wales, who remained in that 
countrj' until about twenty-one years of age, when 
he came to America. Locating in Pennsylvania, 
lie tliere followed the business of a miller, and is 
now retired, living at Ebensburgh,Pa. The motiier 
of our subject. Amy (Lloyd) Rowland, a native 
of Pennsj'lvania, died at the age of thirt^'-nine, 
having been the mother of four children, one of 
whom died in infancy. The eldest is Evan, our 
subject; Isaac N. is living in Union Township; and 
Lizzie A., wife of Sherman Tibbott, is living in 
Pennsylvania. 

Our subject was reared in his native place, re- 
ceiving instruction in the common schools, and 
completing liis course at Ebcnsburgh. He came to 
Johnson County, Iowa, in 1876,beingthen a young 
man, and engaged in farming. He was married 
February 22, 1881, to Ruth E., daughter of F;d- 
ward and Elizabeth (Baxter) Tudor, and a native 
of Union Township, Johnson County, born Oc- 
tober 25, 1858. Mrs. Rowland, who was the second 
child of her parents, was reared in her native 
place and was educated in the Academy of Iowa 
City. After his marriage our subject located on 
a farm in Union Township, where he carried on 
general farming and stock-raising until 1892. when 
he retired and located where he now lives, en- 
gaged in buying and selling horses. 



640 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Mr. and Mrs. Rowland are the parents of two 
children: Harry J., born in 1882, and Mary in 1884. 
Mr. Rowland is a Repnblican, and such is his pop- 
ularity that he was elected Trustee in a town that 
is Democratic, and was also Treasurer of the School 
Board, but resigned both positions when he left 
the town. He is a member of the Order of the 
Maccabees in Iowa City. Mr. Rowland owns a 
farm of two hundred and thirty acres in Union 
Township, which he rents out, and has an inter- 
est in six thorough-bred stable horses, all of them 
imported at a cost of over $9,000, and being Perch- 
eron-French, Coach, Clydesdale and English Shire. 
He is a business man of shrewd methods, and has a 
knack of taking hold of things that turn out prof- 
itably. His family is a most interesting one and 
he has reason to felicitate himself upon his good 
fortune, and has just ground to look forward to 
better things in the futuie. 



Wl 



Jlishment is that of whic 
proprietor, in which a gi 



\T OHN D. MUSSER, merchant of River .June 
tion, Iowa. A neat and attractive estab- 
' ich Mr. Musser is the 
general line of goods 
is disi)layed to advantage, and where a large and 
select stock is kept constantly on hand to meet tlie 
requirements of his numerous patrons. Mr. Mus- 
ser is a native of York County, Pa., where he was 
born October 29, 1842, and made his home until 
the age of fourteen j'ears, when he came to ,1ohn- 
son County, Iowa, with his mother and stepfather, 
Edward M. Rogers, M. D. He was the fourth of 
six children born to .John B. and Sarah (Dolson) 
Musser, both of whom were Pennsylvanians. Their 
eldest son. Christian, is now a resident of the Far 
West, where he is engaged in surveying; Benja- 
min and Henry died in infancy; .Jemimah is the 
wife of Joseph Banner, of .Johnson Count}'; Jo- 
seph is deceased; and John D. is the only male 
representative of the famil}' in this section. The 
paternal grandfather, Christian Musser, was a na- 



tive of Switzerland, but came to America with his 
wife, and located in York County, Pa. 

John D. Musser was reared by his worthy mother 
and by his stejjfather. Dr. Rogers, who was always 
kind and fatherlj- in his treatment of him. The 
latter was a native of the State of Maine, and in 
1856 became a resident of Iowa City, in which 
place and throughout the county he built up an ex- 
tensive medical practice. He died at Solon, where 
he had resided some 3'ears. His family consisted of 
j four children. Edward, of Hardin County, Iowa, 
is a successful practicing physician; Albert is de- 
I ceased; David resides at Solon; and Charles A. is 
j the present etticient Marshal of Iowa City. 

John D. Musser was educated in the common 
schools, and at the time of his marriage, November 
24, 1863, to Miss Elizabeth Rayncr, he began to do 
for himself. The year following the celebration of 
the nuptials he purchased a farm of one hundred 
and forty acres, and has continued farming to the 
present time. In 1875 he opened a mercantile es- 
tablishment, and since that time has been one of 
the progressive business men of the county. His 
business is established on a sound basis, and it is 
needless to add that Mr. Musser thoroughlj' un- 
derstands his business, and is able to give his pat- 
rons the benefit of the very best experience. In 
connection with this line of work he, in 1891, es- 
tablished a brick kiln, in which he can burn over 
four hundred thousand brick at one time, and this 
enterprise has already become a profitable one, and 
verj' soundly established. In this, as in his other 
business ventures, he has shown the best of judg- 
ment, and being strictly honorable and upright in 
his business dealings, he has numerous friends and 
few enemies. 

His marriage has resulted in the birth of six 
children: Frank; Sarah G., wife of .J. D. Decker; 
Jane E., wife of M. 8. Maxim; Mary R., wife of 
Mr. Hilton; Joseph R. and .John D., Jr. Mr. Mus- 
ser and his wife are members of the Church of God, 
while some of the members of their family have 
united with the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. 
Musser is a Democrat in politics, and succeeded Mr. 
Walker in the Postmastership of River Junction in 
1879. In 1885 he began serving as Notary Public, 
and has since continued to do so, and for manj' years 








^-oru/^ ^^^^^^^A/- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



643 



he efflcieritlj^ served in the capacity of Justice of 
the Peace in Fremont Township. He has always 
been a man of energy, push and enterprise, and is 
thoroughly up in the details of his different enter- 
prises, of which he has made a pronounced suc- 
cess. 



O^ 



"ffjOHN GOULD, a leading citizen of enter- 
prise and ability and a prominent agricultur- 
^1=^ ist of Madison Townshijj, Johnson County, 
(^g// Iowa, is a native of his present locality and 
was born June 14, 1847, upon the old Gould 
homestead, located on section 32, where he now 
resides and which has been his constant home, with 
the exception of six years, when he lived near Iowa 
Cit3^ Associated during his entire life with the 
growth and progress of Johnson County, our sub- 
ject has been an important factor in the promo- 
tion of enterprise and has ably assisted in local im- 
provements. His father, Henry S. Gould, born in 
Erie County, Pa., in 1810, was one of the early and 
enei'getic pioneers of Iowa. He was a stone cutter 
by trade and had learned the business in his na- 
tive State. For some time he worked on the locks 
of the canal at Johnstown, Pa., and in 1838 came 
to Morgan County, 111., where he farmed five years, 
but always having poor health in that locality re- 
moved to Johnson County, Iowa, in the spring of 
1843 and entered land upon section 32, Madison 
Township. In the fall he built a log house and 
returned to Illinois for his family. 

His wife, whom he had married in Pennsylvania, 
was Jemina Simons, and was a true helpmate, do- 
ing her full share in the care and comfort of her 
household. After his arrival in Madison Town- 
ship, Father Gould abandoned his trade and de- 
voted himself to the tilling of the soil. He lived 
to a good old age and passed peacefully away in 
1871. He had been a member of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church for fortj' years and took an ac- 
tive part in the work of that religious denomina- 
tion, exhorting for several years and giving much 

29 



attention to Sunda3'-school duties, teaching and 
occupying official positions in that important de- 
partment of church labor. Appreciated as an ear- 
nest man of excellent judgment and executive 
ability, he was elected County Supervisor and was 
retained upon the board for a number of years. His 
wife, who was also a devoted Christian and a 
member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, sur- 
vived her husband five years, dying in 1876. 
Father and Mother Gould were the parents of ten 
children, of whom John was the fifth in order of 
birth. 

Our subject attended the district school of the 
home neighborhood, which was established after he 
was seven years of age, and although the little log 
house was humble, some of the brightest men of 
the State there received their primary education. 
John remained with his parents upon the old farm 
during their lifetime, and, as has been mentioned 
before, has been absent from the familiar scenes of 
his boyhood but a few brief years. In 1873 our 
subject entered the bonds of matrimony with Miss 
Priscilla Lawrence, whose parents, Isaac and Caro- 
line Lawrence, made their home in Illinois in an 
early day. The father died in Illinois some years 
ago, but the mother, now surviving, resides in Min- 
nesota. Into the old home where our subject was 
born came to Mr. and Mrs. John G. Gould a merry 
family of thirteen children, namely: Charles N., 
Dora (deceased), William S., Oliver J., Mabel, Vio- 
let (deceased), John G., Rosie, Edna, Harrison, 
Carol, Ethel and an infant son. 

Our subject and his estimable and accomplished 
wife are both worthy members of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church and liberally aid in the support 
and extension of its good work. Financially, Mr. 
Gould has been prospered and aside from the pur- 
suit of general agriculture has profitably engaged 
in stock-raising. The one hundred and seventy- 
six acres are all under a high state of cultivation 
and yield a most abundant harvest. Politically, 
our subject is a stalwart Republican and ever in- 
terested in local and national affairs. Never de- 
sirous of political office, he is intelligently anxious 
that places of trust shall be filled by men adapted 
to worthily carry out the wishes of the people of 
our great American nation. In all thing affectino- 



644 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRArfflCAL RECORD. 



the welfare of his count}' and township, Mr. Gould 
may ever be found upon the side of right and 
justice and, a kind friend and upright citizen, 
firmly holds the esteem and confidence of the en- 
tii-e community of Johnson Count}-. 



OIIN 11. KEPIIART, a prominent and pros- 
perous agriculturist, now efficiently serving 
Ins third term as Justice of the Peace in 
\^^// Jefferson Township, Johnson County, Iowa, 
is an energetic, enterprising and intelligent citizen 
of sterling integrity of character. He was born 
in Clearfield County, Pa., July 7, 1844, and is 
the son of Rev. Henry Kephart, born in Center 
Furnace, Huntingdon County, Pa., January 5, 1802. 
The grandfather, Henry Kephart, was undoubtedly 
American born, but was of immediate German 
ancestr}'. He was a blacksmith by trade, yet de- 
voted himself mainly to farming. The great- 
grandfather, Nicholas Kephart, lived to the ad- 
vanced age of eighty-nine years, and died in 
Pennsylvania. The father of our subject was one 
of a large family and was reared upon a farm, en- 
joying onl}' limited educational advantages. He 
was trained in the duties of agricultural life and 
became a tiller of the soil, but believing that 
he was called to a more spiritual work fitted, him- 
self as best he could to enter the pulpit, and al- 
though he never attended school more than six 
months in his life was finally, upon March 9, 1837, 
at thirtj-five years of age, ordained to the ministry 
in the United Brethren Church. 

Immediately the Kev. Henry Kephart with ar- 
dent enthusiasm entered upon the chosen work of 
his life, and in 1859 removed from Clearfield 
County to Mercer Count}', where, purchasing an- 
other farm, he still continued in the ministry. In 
1871 he came to Shueyville, Johnson County, 
Iowa, where he bought a homestead and, also 
preaching, remained in that locality until his death 
upon May 5, 1880. He conducted service the 
Sabbath preceding his demise, and literally passed 



away in the Christian harness, having given fifty 
years of devoted Christian work to the service of 
the Master, whose name was precious to him. He 
was a man of iron constitution and fine physique, 
and was untiring in his religious duties, a pioneer 
evangelist, preaching in remote districts as well as 
in populous localities. Eloquent and impressive, 
and withal ever consistent in his daily walk, he 
accomplished much of good, and yet lives in the 
hearts of the many who were called by him from 
the error of their ways. His wife, Sarah (Goss) 
Kei)hart, born in Clearfield County, Pa., July 6, 
1808, was of German descent and was the daugh- 
ter of Abraham Goss, who enlisted as a drummer- 
boy in Washington's army, and served until at 
the close of a battle his father was reported as 
missing, when, at the request of his mother, who 
had already lost three sons and her husband upon 
the field of war. Gen. Wasliington gave him an 
honorable discharge, and the son and mother lo- 
cated near Lock Haven, Pa., and from there re- 
moved to Decatur, Clearfield County, in 1799. 

Mother Kephart was a life-long member of the 
United Brethren Church, and after a career of 
busy usefulness passed away October 30, 1888, at 
eighty years of age. She was the mother of thir- 
teen children. Of these sons and daughters Eliz- 
abeth died in infancy. Barbara is the wife of 
Daniel Alberts, now deceased; Mary is the wife 
of the Rev. Abraham Crowell, of Shueyville, Iowa. 
Isaiah L., who became a minister of the United 
Brethren Church, and was for several years a pro- 
fessor in AVestern College, Iowa, and also in 
Woodbridge, Cal., is now editor of the Religious 
Telescope, published at Dayton, Ohio, and the 
official organ of the United Brethren Church, and 
enjoys the title of D. D. Ezekial B. is a minister 
of tlie United Brethren Church and was President of 
Western College for about ten years; he was elected 
in 1881 Bisliop of the United Brethren Church. 
Abraham G., a promising young man and success- 
ful teacher, died at twenty-four years of age. Susan 
A. is the wife of G. W. Kline, of Mercer County, 
Pa. Isabella J. is the wife of Lorenzo Jeflferies, of 
South Dakota. AVilliam S., bravely enlisting in tlie 
army in 1861, served with fidelity three years and 
re-enlisting as a veteran was killed at the battle of 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



645 



Spotts3'lvauia, being theu in the Eiglity-lliird 
Pennsylvania Regiment, and was First-Sergeant 
of bis company; lie had passed through severe 
campaigns and was at one time connected with 
the Army of the Potomac. Johii H., our subject, 
is next in order of birth. Sarah A. is the wife of 
James BlcClintock, of Mercer County, Pa. Hiram 
died when in boyliood. Cyrus J., a minister of 
the United Brethren Church, and for several 
years President of Avalon (Mo.) College, also for 
some length of time Professor of Mathematics 
of Western College, is now preaching in Lebanon, 
Pa. 

Our subject was reared upon a farm and in boy- 
hood attended the district school and pursued his 
studies one year in Leoni College, afterward en- 
joying a term of instruction in the Alleghany 
College, at Meadville, Pa. After successfully 
teaching eight terras, he devoted himself to farm- 
ing near Sliueyville, Jefferson Township, Johnson 
County, Iowa. Mr. Kephart was united in mar- 
riage October 6, 1868, to Miss Clarinda Chatley, 
of Mercer Count}', Pa., daughter of Andrew and 
Ruth (Rol)bins) Chatley, both natives of Pennsyl- 
vania. The father, a man of ability and integrity, 
died in 1889, but his wife had preceded him to 
the better world, passing awa}' in 1868. Mr. Cliat- 
lej' was of Irish descent, and both lie and his good 
wife were members of the Christian Church. 
The home of Mr. and Mrs. Kephart has been blessed 
by the presence of eight children, of whom but 
six are now living. Waldo E. was the eldest of 
the family; then followed Harry C, Milton L., 
Nora R., Sarah D., Augusta M., Joliu A. (deceased), 
and Clara G. (deceased). The sons and daugh- 
ters all enjoyed excellent educational advantages 
and were well fitted by home training to worthily 
occup3' positions of usefulness and influence. The 
three eldest are teachers and rank high as instruc- 
tors of the young. 

Mr. Kephart has been linancially successful and 
owns one hundred and eighty-two acres of valu- 
able land, under a high state of cultivation and 
well improved with substantial buildings. Our 
subject is a Republican, and a strong advocate of 
the part}^ of progress and reform. He has served 
with great acceptability to the public two terms 



as Township Trustee, and as Justice of the Peace 
ever gives his decisions in accordance with law 
and evidence, and, a wise counselor, advises those 
who consult him not to carry matters into court 
that might be amicably adjusted outside. He and 
his excellent wife are members of the United 
Brethren Church, and are united in good work, 
being ever readj' to assist those less fortunate than 
themselves. Faithful to the duties of their daily 
lives, kind friends and upright citizens, they have 
done what they could for the betterment of their 
fellow-men, and in the years to come maj' review 
with satisfaction the record of their well-spent 
lives. 



— *-^#^-?— 



JOSEPH ROBERTSON, supposed to be the 
oldest pioneer settler now living in Sugar- 
Creek Township, Poweshiek County. Iowa, 
' is a veteran of the Mexican War, and, a 
prosperous agriculturist and man of ability, en- 
terprise and judgment, has filled with honor nearly 
every office in the gift of the township. Our sub- 
ject is a native of Campbell County, Tenn., where 
he was born in 1822. In 1828, his parents re- 
moved to Brown County, Ind., where their son 
Joseph grew up to a self-reliant and industrious 
manhood. The father and mother, Stephen and 
Winnie (Webb) Robertson, were the parents of 
thirteen sons and daughters. Stephen Robertson 
was a native of Virginia, and was born about 1775. 
The paternal grandfather was during the 
Revolutionary War obliged to leave his Virginia 
home and with his wife and eleven cliildren 
seek shelter from the enemy in a fort. The mo- 
ther of our subject was a daughter of James Chit- 
wood, a native of North Carolina, and the son of 
Irisli parents. When the Mexican War broke out 
Joseph Robertson bravely enlisted in the service 
of the United States and joined Company E, 
Third Regiment of Indiana, under Gen. Joseph 
Lane, and was sent directly to Taylor's forces, and 
arrived in time to actively participate in the bat- 



646 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



tie of Buena Vista, this being the only fight in 
which our subject had an opportunity to take 
part. 

Mr. Robertson returned to his home in Indiana, 
and was married in the spring of 1848 to Miss 
Eliza A. AVhitney, and with his wife went in 1849 
to Wapello County, Iowa, and in 1850 came to 
Poweshieit County, and here utilized his warrant 
given for his services during the war by securing 
the farm on which he yet resides. By prudent 
man.agement our subject has added to his original 
homestead until he now owns almost an entire sec- 
tion of valuable land, five hundred and forty-five 
acres, much of it under a high state of cultivation. 
When he settled in Poweshiek County there were 
but few neighbors and little or no improvements 
in tlie vicinity. Mr. and Mrs. Robertson reared a 
family of ten sons and daughters, all now living 
except one. Stephen was the eldest-born; Mi- 
randa, the first daughter, is now the wife of Sam- 
uel Wickham; Andrew J. is a resident and prom- 
inent man of Cheyenne County, Kan.; Pleasant is 
also at home in Cheyenne County, Kan.; Lizzie is 
the wife of Jacob Ilildebrand, of Mt. Vernon, 
Wash.; Winnie W. is the wife of James F. Brent, 
of Osborne County, Kan.; George W. resides in 
Mahaska; James M. lives in Mahaska; Mary L. 
and one deceased complete the list of sisters and 
brothers who gathered about the family hearth of 
the old homestead. The loving wife and mother 
has been dead many years, having p.assed away in 
1865. 

Our subject, although now approaching the 
evening of his age, is a hearty and hale gentleman 
with many years of usefulness apparently yet be- 
fore him. Politically Mr. Robertson is a strong 
Democrat and has always occupied a leading posi- 
tion in the local councils of the party. For fort3^- 
three years or more intimately associated with the 
clianging scenes of the Ilawkeye State, lie has ever 
been an important factor in the promotion and 
progress of the best interests of Poweshiek County, 
and occupying many of the offices of Sugar Creek 
Townsliip has materially aided in the growth of 
local improvement and encouraged educational 
advancement and the attainment of higher grades 
of scholarship and instruction. To his children. 



who all fill positions of usefulness and honor, 
Joseph Robertson will leave a more precious leg- 
acy than houses or lands, and the record of his 
honest, patriotic and public-spirited citizenship 
will become an enduring monument to the up- 
right purpose and sterling integrity which have 
distinguished his entire career .is a friend, neigh- 
bor, soldier and citizen. 



PAVID R. THOMAS. The thought must be 
I pleasing, as it surely is, to our subject, that 
^ ever3'bod\' loves him for his sunny temper, 
his accommodating spirit and virtuous manhood. 
Mr. Thomas was born in Montgomeryshire, North 
Wales, November 4, 1825, and resides on section 
22, Union Township, Johnson County, Iowa. He is 
the son of Robert Thomas, a native of the same 
country as his son, a plasterer and roofer b\- trade, 
who lived to the age of fifty-eight years. Tlie 
mother of our subject, Jane (Davis) Thomas, who 
died at the age of forty-eight, was the mother of 
four children, three sons and one daughter, all 
living, viz: Mar\', wife of R. L. Jones, of Wiscon- 
sin; David R., our subject; Richard J., a resident 
of Cameron County, Pa.; and Robert D., of West 
Lucas Township. 

Our subject remained in his native shire until 
1849, starting to work for himself at tlie early age 
of eight, hiring by the day or year for farm work. 
He then came to America, locating in Cambria 
County, Pa., where he carried the hod and worked 
by the day for five years. At this time he rented 
a farm in Cambria County and moved upon it, 
in time buying it; but in 1863 he sold it and re- 
moved to Johnson County, where he bought the 
farm on which he now lives, consisting of two hun- 
dred and forty acres, and ten of timber. It had 
but little improvements at that time, but now is 
well improved with a commodious house, substan- 
tial barns and outbuildings. Mr. Thomas is rec- 
ognized as a progressiv'e farmer and stock-raiser. 
He keeps a good tlock of sheep and some high- 




\ 





MM^CO 



rjij 



PORTRAIT AND BICGKAPHICAL RECORD. 



649 



grade cattle, but he makes a specialty of raising 
hogs. His farm lies high and rolling, is very fer- 
tile and productive, is everywhere tillable, and 
is among the best in the township. 

Growing weary of single life, Mr. Thomas was 
married in Cambria County, Pa., in Juno, 1849, to 
Mary Evans, a native of Wales. She was tlie daugh- 
ter of John and Ann (Edwards) Evans, both na- 
tives of Wales, where they lived and died. Mrs. 
Thomas has borne him seven children, two daugh- 
ters and five sons: John, of Union Township; 
Robert, deceased; Richard, who married Jane 
Williams, and is living in Iowa City; All3ert 
and George, deceased; Jane Ann, wife of David 
J. Hughes, living in Nebraska; and Mary E., form- 
erly a teacher but now staying at home. Mrs. 
Thomas died December 31, 1891, lamented by a 
large circle of friends, to whom she had endeared 
herself b}' hei many virtues. 

The residence of our subject is a very hand- 
some building, erected b}' him in 188.3 at a cost 
of more than $2,000. Mr. Thomas is a Republican 
in politics, to wliich part}' he has become greatly 
attached by long association. His membership 
with tlie Farmers' Alliance dates back to the time 
of its organization in Johnson County. He filled 
the office of Road Supervisor very satisfactorily 
to all parties concerned. Mr. Thomas is a man 
of modest merit, who attends strictly to his own 
affairs and lives in peace and amit}' with ever}'- 
body. 



-^^^^[ 



\f| ACOB R. WILLIS. Long years of residence 
have given our subject strong attachment 
-^ I for Jolinson Count}', and in turn have 
(^^^ gained for him the reciprocal attachment 
of many individuals, who have strong affection 
for him because of his manly character. Mr. 
Willis was born in Preble Couut}^ Ohio, two miles 
east of the county seat, Eaton, July 3, 1818, and 
now lives on section 29, Clear Creek Township, 
Johnson County, Iowa. His father, Benjamin 
Willis, who was born in New Jerse}-, near Reading- 



ton, where he was reared and married, removed to 
Ohio, and bought land on the present site of Cin- 
cinnati. After this he bought land in Preble 
County, in the timber, built a log cabin, and im- 
proved the farm in the woods. After the War of 
1812 he went to buy land in Indiana, near Craw- 
fordsville, getting possession of one hundred and 
sixt}' acres. He died in Indiana, in the year of 
1830. He was of German descent, and his wife, 
Susan (Denman) Willis, was a native of New Jer- 
sey, in which State she was reared, dying at the 
age of forty, having been the mother of twelve 
children, six sons and six daughters, all of whom 
grew to maturity save one, who was drowned in 
the Spoon River, Knox Count}', 111. 

Hannah, the eldest of the twelve, wife of Rev. 
Israel Clark, was killed by the Indians, .as was also 
her eldest son, near Yam Hill, Ore. She came to 
Iowa in 1837, removed to Oregon in 1851, and she 
and her son were murdered in the following year. 
David, the second son, died at the age of eighty- 
four, in Indiana; Abner, the next, died in Mont- 
gomer}' County, Ind., at the age of about eighty; 
Mary, wife of John Sutton, died at the age of 
about eiglity; Lydia died when a young woman; 
Plicebc, wife of Samuel Freeman, died in Knox 
County, 111., in her eighty-sixth jear; Benjamin 
died at the age of seventy; Charlotte, wife of 
William David, died in Linn County, Iowa, at the 
age of seventy-five; Paninah, wife of Mattliew 
Bennett, died at the age of sixty, in Preble 
County, Ohio; Joseph died in Whiteside Count}', 
111., at the age of sixty-eight; Jacob R. is our sub- 
ject; and Nathaniel was drowned, as stated, at the 
age of sixteen. Our subject is the only one of the 
children who is living. 

Our subject was but three years old when his 
mother died, and eleven when his father died; 
hence he was reared among strangers, living with 
one man, Jacob Sliartel, seven years. He went to 
Knox County, 111., in 1837, with his brother-in-law, 
Samuel Freeman, and worked out by the month, 
splitting rails and breaking prairie, and coming 
direct to Iowa City, Iowa, in 1841. He was mar- 
ried the first time to Rebecca Lancaster, at Clear 
Creek, Johnson County, Iowa, in 1845. Siie died 
in 1854, the mother of three children: Virgil, who 



650 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



dieflin liis second year; Henry, who died in infancy; 
and Mary Alice, wife of Leonda Gruwell, of Phillips 
County, Neb. Mr. Willis married for his second 
wife Pennelia, sister of his first wife, who died 
two years after. Our subject then married a 
third time, in 1859, this wife being Maria Lar- 
combe, wlio was born in Dorsetshire, England, 
Ma}' 15, 1831, and came to America in 1857 with 
her brother. 

Our subject located in Clear Creek Township, 
and built a log house on a quarter-section of land, 
which he broke himself, as well as made all the 
improvements. He now has two hundred acres, 
well improved and in a fine condition. In poli- 
tics Mr. AVillis is a Republican; casting bis first 
vote for William Henry Harrison, he followed it 
with a vote for Clay in 1844, for Taylor in 1848, 
and Scott in 1852, wlien, the AVhig party going to 
pieces, he went with the great body of tlie Whigs 
into the Republican party, which they formed, 
and since that time has supported it loyall}', vot- 
ing, in the order given, for Fremont, Lincoln 
(twice), Grant (twice), Hayes, Garfield, Blaine 
and Harrison (twice). During the past forty-five 
years he has been a member of the Christian Church, 
and was at one time an Elder in that body. 



'AMES MAGRUDER. Among the oldest 
settlers and most honored pioneers of John- 
son County is the gentleman whose name 
^ ^ iuitiates this sketch. He located in Fre- 
mont Township as early as 1838, since which time 
he has been prominentl}' connected with the best 
interests and prosperity of the community in which 
he has made his home. In 1841 he settled on the 
farm located on section 1, to the clearing and im- 
proving of which he has devoted himself for over 
half a century. He entered in Johnson County, 
Iowa, in 1839, the first land that was sold west of 
the Mississippi River. When he made his first set- 
tlement in this locality the Indians were still nu- 
merous, deer and other wild game were abundant, 



and for many years our subject took great pleasure 
in the excitement of the chase, being an expert 
marksman. He entered over five hundred acres 
in the county, the greater portion of which he has 
since disposed of, his home farm now comprising 
one hundred and sixty acres. 

The paternal grandfather of our subject, Zephen- 
iah Magruder, was a native of Maryland and of 
French descent. His son, Wade S., our subject's 
father, wedded Polly, daughter of David Stan- 
ford, a first cousin of the noted senator of that 
name from Virginia. James, our subject, was born 
in Chesterfield County, Va., about the year 1818, 
and was the eldest in a family of nine children. 
The others, who lived to mature years, were Zebe- 
diah, Amanda, Martha, Sarah, William, Zachariah, 
Obediah and Caroline. 

In his early manhood James Magruder turned 
his face in the direction of the broad prairies of 
the West, and upon investigation concluded to 
make his future home in Johnson County. From 
the first he was recognized as a leader, and proved 
well worthy and competent to fill the positions 
which were thrust upon him. He sat on the first 
juiy held in the county, the trial taking place at an 
old Indian trading-post southeast of Iowa City, 
and is the onl}' one now living who served on that 
jury. He has the honor of having been the first 
Constable in Fremont and Pleasant Valley Town- 
ships, and also served as the first Trustee. He has 
been a member of the Johnson County Agricultural 
Society for many terms in the past, and has always 
taken an active and interested part in politics, 
both local :>nd general. Previous to war times he 
was an old-line Whig, but became a Democrat, in 
1860, and has been a loyal member of that part}' 
since. Since the formation of the Old Settlers' 
Organization, he has been one of its most influen- 
tial members, and in all public enterprises has been 
found in the front ranks. For several j'ears sub- 
sequent to his arrival in this locality all market- 
ing had to be done at Muscatine, which then com- 
prised very few houses. 

In 1839 was celebrated the mawiage cif IMr. Ma- 
gruder and Ruth, daughter of Joseph Stover, who 
for over fifty years has been a faithful companion 
and sharer of her husband's J03"s and sorrows. To 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



651 



them were born seven children, only three of 
wiiom yet survive: George, a resident of this 
count}'; James and Mattie. Those who have de- 
parted this life are: John W., Mary, Sarah and Jo- 
seph S. Mrs. Magruder is a consistent member of the 
Christian CLurcli, while our subject, who is libeial 
in bis religious views, is not connected with any 
religious organization. He assisted in burying 
the first white man who died in the county. 



i>-^^<l 



Ifk^ C. PARISH, a prominent general agricul- 
turist and successful stock-raiser of Chester 
Township, Poweshiek County, Iowa, is 
numbered among the lepresentative busi- 
ness men and leading citizens of his localitj'. A 
native of Otsego, N. Y., he was the youngest child 
of Ira and Sarah (Stafford) Parish, who were both 
born and reared in "the Empire State, in Delaware 
County. The paternal grandfather, Elmer Parish, 
was a native of Massachusetts, but in earl}- manhood 
made his home in New York. From three brothers 
of the name of Parish who came from England to 
America in Colonial times sprang a numerous prog- 
eny, which, scattered throughout the Union from 
the Atlantic to the Pacific Coast, have furnislied to 
the United States some of her most faithful and 
useful subjects. Grandfather Eldred Parish was a 
soldier of the War of 1812, and for three years 
gave to his country most brave and faithful ser- 
vice, bequeathing to his descendants the loyaltj', 
straight-forward purpose and sterling fraits of 
character which have distinguished the career of 
his children and grandchildren. 

The brothers and sisters who clustered in the 
childhood home of our subject, and of whom he 
was the youngest, iiave all now passed awa}', leav- 
ing him the sole survivor of the six sons and 
daughters who gladdened the hearts of the father 
and mother, Ira and Sarah Parish. The eldest 
daughter, Clarissa, died young. Edwin came to 
Poweshiek Count}' in 186;j, and soon became one 
of the most successful farmers in this part of the 



State. He survived until 1883, -when he died 
deeply regretted, and left a widow and two chil- 
dren to mourn his loss. Reuben enlisted in the 
service of the Government during the Civil War, 
and entering Company E, Thirty-fifth New York 
Infantry, as Lieutenant, had previous to his un- 
timely death in 1862 distinguished himself by 
gallant conduct upon the field. Ashbury emigrat- 
ed to Poweshiek County many years ago, but after- 
ward returned to New York, and later practiced 
medicine in New Jersey. He was a man of more 
than ordinary ability, and was a graduate of the 
renowned Jefferson Medical College, of Philadel- 
phia. Seymour, the fifth child, died in New Jer- 
sey. Mr. Parish attained to manhood in the coun- 
ty of Gloucester, N. J., and in the days of boy- 
hood received a somewhat limited education in 
the common schools of his home neighborhood. 

At twenty-one years of age our subject came to 
Iowa, and settling at once in Poweshiek County, 
three years afterward purchased his present valu- 
able farm of one hundred and sixty acres, to which 
he has since added, until he owns two hundred and 
forty finely cultivated acres, all under a high state 
of improvement. Mr. Parisli has continuously 
engaged in stock-raising and feeding from his first 
occupancy of his present home up to date, and fur- 
nishes for market each year about one hundred 
head of fat cattle, and large droves of a superior 
breed of hogs. In 1873 our subject was united in 
marriage with Miss Annie V. Sparks, daughter of W. 
P. Sparks, of Philadelphia, a lady of refinement 
and culture, reared, educated and married in her 
early home. She died in San Antonio, Tex., in 
April, 1891, whither she had gone for her healtii 
in August, 1890, and, beloved by all who knew 
her, passed to her rest, leaving to the care of her 
bereaved husband six children, five of whom still 
survive. The parents of Mr. Parish were devout 
Methodists, and to the tenets and doctrines of that 
church our subject clings zealously, engaging in 
the work, advancement and religious enterprises 
of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In political 
affiliation he is a stalwart Republican, devoted to 
the principles of the party of reform, and takes an 
active part in the questions of tiie day. He has 
been ever closely identified with all matters of 



652 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



local improvement, and is essentially a typical 
Western man, earnest in purpose, and resolute in 
action. Well known throughout Poweshiek Coun- 
ty, M. C. Parish is highly esteemed, commanding 
the sinceie regard of a host of friends. 



*^^1 



ll@^@i^,l^^^ 



W OHN FRASER is one of the old settlers'" 
and agriculturists of Poweshiek County, in 
which portion of the State he located as 
early as November, 1855. In that j'ear he 
purchased eighty acres at ^i per acre in Madison 
Township and with this as a nucleus he advanced 
on the road to fortune. After bringing his farm un- 
der thorough cultivation, he added and improved 
two hundred acres, making a farm of two hun- 
dred and eighty acres in all, twenty of this be- 
ing timberland. As he found he had more than 
he could manage to the best advantage, he has 
since disposed of a portion of his farm, and now 
has one of the usually accepted size, one hundred 
and sixty acres, which is situated on section' 22, in 
Madison Township. 

John Eraser, the grandfather of our subject, was 
a farmer in Scotland, in which country our sub- 
ject's parents, Duncan and Mary (Mcintosh) Eraser, 
were also born. The former was a tailor by trade, 
and with his wife and five children emigrated to 
the United States, settling near Brooklyn, Iowa, 
in the year 1867. Soon after their arrival the 
faithful wife and mother was called to her final 
rest, dying in March, 1868, aged sixty-four years. 
After surviving his companion for many years, 
the father died July 30, 1882, aged seventy-nine. 

Our subject is the eldest in a family of five 
children, the others being John ; Catherine, Mrs. 
Amos Rogers; Donald; Mary, who became the 
wife of David Bowan; and Ann, wife of Robert 
McBean. After receiving a common-school edu- 
cation and working on his father's farm until 
reaching manhood, John Eraser, whose name 
heads this sketch, concluded he would come to 
the United States, as he believed great opportun- 



ities were here afforded to young men of ability 
and enterprise who wished to carve out a fortune. 
Accordingly, he bade adieu to the scenes and 
friends of his youth, and after a voyage of six 
weeks landed at Quebec, September 18, 1850. 
Eor six weeks he remained at Dodgeville, AVis., 
and then proceeded first to Whiteside County, 111., 
and in Bureau County he worked for farmers 
by the month for about five years. During this 
time he managed, by strict economj' and diligence, 
to lay by a goodly sum of money, and with this 
in 1855 came to Iowa, and, as previously stated, 
purchased in Madison Township a farm of eight3' 
acres, this being the first land he had ever owned. 
In 1888, Mr. Eraser removed to Brooklyn and 
built a good residence in the place where he now 
resides. His success in business life has been 
marked from the first day he set foot on the 
shores of this favored land, and he- has certainly 
never regretted his course in coming to the United 
States. On landing in Quebec, he found himself 
possessed of only #150, and after working for a 
few years in Illinois lie laid by an amount which 
has proved the nest-egg of his present fortune. 

The brotliers and sisters of Mr. Eraser are 
now residents of the United States. One sister, 
Catherine, died in Madison Township; Daniel, 
who resides in Woodbuiy Countj-, Iowa, served 
in the Eourth Iowa Cavalry; Mary is a resident of 
Council Bluffs; and Ann lives in Bear Creek 
Township. September 22, 1859, Mr. Eraser was 
married to Miss Annie Kent, who was born in 
Putnam County, Ind., and who is the daughter 
of Moses and OIlie Kent. The parents removed 
from New England to the Empire State at an early 
day and to Indiana about tlie year 1854. There 
Mr. Kent entered, purchased and improved prop- 
erty to the amount of three hundred acres. Mrs. 
Eraser, who was a member of the Presbyterian 
Church, as is also our subject, was called to her 
final home January 25, 1892. She was born Aug- 
ust 15, 1835, and was a lady who possessed scores 
of friends in this locality, who deeply regret her 
loss. Mr. Eraser is a member of the Independent 
Order of Odd Eellows and in regard to politics is 
a Republican, having cast his first vote for the 
martyred President, Abraham Lincoln. He is 








, cJ4fJ. 



yi.-i--^'1X^^ 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL EECORt) 



655 



greatly respected in this locality, where he has 
made his home for so many years and where his 
worthy qualities are thoroughly known. Believ- 
ing in his trustworthiness and ability, his fellow- 
citizens have called upon him at various times to 
fill township offices, and while serving in such pos- 
itions he proved himself entirely worthy- of the 
confidence reposed in him. 



iiULLY S. McCUNE, a prominent citizen and 
successful general agriculturist, and widely 
known as a leader of the People's part}', 
has for twenty-one years resided upon his valuable 
homestead, located on section 2, Cedar Township, 
Johnson County, Iowa, .and during this time has 
been an important factor in the promotion of the 
growing interests of the county. Our subject was 
born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, January 25, 1848, and 
is the son of one of the early and enterprising 
pioneers of the State. The paternal grandfather, 
William MeCune, was a hardy, resolute man of 
Scotch-Irish extraction, and with his wife made 
his home in Jefferson County, N. Y., where John 
P. McCune, the father of TuUy S., was born No- 
vember 28, 1819. The father learned the carpen- 
ter's trade in his native State, and, locating in 
Iowa in 1840, settled in Cedar Rapids, and was 
soon busil}' engaged at his bench. After a time he 
entered land in Big Grove Township, Johnson 
County, and building a log house removed his 
family there and was among the very first settlers 
of the township. In a few years he sold this 
property and located in Cedar Township, in 1843, 
entering land upon which he afterward resided 
until his death. 

Father McCune was a practical and highly pros- 
perous farmer, owning at one time more than eight 
hundred acres of land, much of which was im- 
proved under his direct supervision. He was a 
successful stock-raiser, dealing largely in cattle and 
hogs and also liandling many iiorses of a superior 



grade. Wlien a lad he removed with his parents 
to Akron, (Jhio, in 1833, and in 1839 sojourned a 
siiort time in Ft. Wayne, Ind., and from 1840 
until his death, in 1885, was a constant resident of 
Iowa. Elected to the official position of Justice 
of the Peace he discharged the duties of the office to 
the great satisfaction of his friends and neighbors, 
and his judicial decisions displayed his excellent 
knowledge of the law and his unvar3ing rectitude 
of character. His demise was mourned as a public 
loss and he was beloved by all who knew him. 
His wife. Electa R. (Sutliff) McCune, was born 
in Trumbull County, Ohio, October 3, 1826. She 
was the daughter of Allen C. Sutliff, and a de- 
voted member of the Christian Church, and after 
a long life of earnest usefulness passed away, Feb- 
ruary 4, 1892. Seven of the nine children of the 
parents yet survive. 

Our subject spent his early years as a farmer 
boy, working in the summer and in the winter at- 
tending the district school. At twenty-four years 
of age he began life for himself, until then having 
been his father's right hand man upon the old 
homestead. Upon January 24, 1872, Tully S. 
McCune and Miss Arabella Dickey were united in 
marriage. Mrs. McCune was born in Montgomery 
County, Pa., and was the daughter of Eli and Ann 
(Snyder) Dickey, both natives of the Quaker 
State, from which they emigrated to Johnson 
County, Iowa, in 1857, and settled in Cedar 
Township. A wagon-m.aker by trade, Mr. Dickey 
was also a successful farmer and lived to be seven- 
ty-seven years of age, passing away in 1886, his 
wife surviving until 1887. Both parents were 
members of the I/Utheran Church and were devoted 
Christian people. The father was twice married 
and had a family of eleven sons and daugh- 
ters. Mr. and Mrs. Tully S. McCune were blessed 
by the birth of nine children, of whom five are 
living. Hattie Ann is deceased; Estelle and Lou- 
ella are next in order of birth; Maude and an in- 
fant are deceased; John E. and Jesse are the 
j'oungest sons; the succeeding infant died; Esther 
is the youngest of the family. The surviving chil- 
dren are well known and highly respected. Mrs. 
McCune is a valued member of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church, and with her famil}' is active in 



656 



POilTRAIT AND BIOCiRAPHlCAL RECORD, 



good works and beuevolent enterprise. Politically 
our subject is an ardent supporter of the People's 
party, and takes an abiding and intelligent inter- 
est in local and national issues. More than a 
score of years ago locating upon his homestead, he 
has in all regards kept pace with the times, his 
excellent residence and barns and the thrifty ap- 
pearance of the two hundred and eighteen acres 
fully testifying to the good management and prac- 
tical experience of the owner of the farm. Ear- 
nest, progressive and public-spirited, Mr. McCune 
is keenly alive to tiie national needs of the hour 
and with inborn enthusiasm predicts the final 
success of the party whose motto, " Reform and 
Progress," is, he believes the "Excelsior" of com- 
ing generations. 



|7 GUIS STEELI 
II (^' lie-spirited an 
I)lAV of Grinnell, 



\|7 GUIS STEELE. Among the successful, pub- 
and liberal young business men 
Iowa, our subject deserves 
mention. In connection with Mr. Spooner, he 
conducts one of the largest hardware stores in this 
part of the country, the building being especially 
adapted to the wants of the firm. In it the man- 
ufacturing room is 20x50 feet, and the main store 
22x85, with a liasement. The firm deals in all fine 
hardware, in connection with hot-air and hot- water 
furnaces, and all the appliances for modern heat- 
ing. One season they disposed of two carloads of 
Garland Stoves. Our subject was born in Roches- 
ter, N. Y., August 8, 1854, and was reared in Ar- 
cade, Wyoming County, N. Y., until the year 1868, 
when he entered the Arcade Academy and passed 
with honor through the High School at the same 
place. In his fatlier's lumber business he saw 
something of commercial life, and two 3'ears were 
spent in farming. 

Giving up his agricultural life, our subject en- 
tered the employ of Holyoke & Hedges, druggists 
in the village of Grinnell, when there was not a 
brick residence in the place; a year later he became 



clerk for Hubbard & Phillips, on the corner of 
Broad and Cone Streets, for one j^ear, when A. P. 
Phillips engaged his services for the following 
year. At this time he entered the hardware busi- 
ness with Ilemick & Co., remaining four years, 
and here he learned the fine part of the busi- 
ness, completing a course and acquiring a full 
knowledge. At this period he became interested 
in the firm of A. P. Phillips & Son, the name be- 
coming Phillips, Steele & Co., and later he was 
for one year the stock-keeper in the Hudder Works. 

Four of the following years were employed by 
our subject at Lewis, Cass Countj', Iowa, in the 
hardware business, and then lie returned to Grin- 
nell, where he opened up a business in hardware 
with a Mr. Miles, buying out Joe Pierce. This 
partnership lasted three years, lacking three months, 
and then Mr. Steele returned to the Hudder Works 
as stock-keeper, remaining with them for a space 
of fifteen months, when the works were removed 
to Harvey, 111. Five years of his life were spent 
in the employ of that company. However, this 
city held a warm place in the heart of oursul)ject, 
and November 18, 1891, he returned and bought 
out the Grinnell Merchandise Company, engaging 
in business under his own name until August, 1892, 
wiieu Mr. Spooner became his partner, the firm 
being known as Steele & Spooner. 

G. M. Spooner was born in Appanoose County, 
Iowa, and was reared in Ccnterville, coming to 
Grinnell in 1882, where for five years he engaged 
in clerking. He then removed to Montezuma, and 
there became one in the firm of Stone, Spooner it 
Co.,intlie general merchandise business, until Au- 
gust, 1892, when he came here and became the 
partner of Mr. Steele. The marriage of Mr. Steele 
took place in 1879 to Miss Florence Worthington, 
a native of Grinnell, daughter of Thomas Worth- 
ington, one of the early settlers here, and still a 
resident. One child, Mary L., has been born to 
Mr. and Mrs. Steele. The family residence is lo- 
cated on the corner of High and Third Streets, a 
very pleasant and convenient abode. Oursubject 
is a member of the Congregational Church, and is 
a man whose moral influence is felt for good in the 
community. In politics he is a Republican, boldly 
advocating the principles of that party. Socially 



PORTHAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



657 



he is oonnected with the Masonic order, in which 
he is a Knight Teinphir, with the Independent Or- 
der of Odd Fellows, and witli the Knights of 
Pythias. 



"^OHN E. MOUSLEY, who for over twenty 
I 3'ears was an employe of various lailroad 
companies and for some time had the honor 
of being the oldest emploj-e on the Chicago, 



Eock Island & Pacific Railroad between the Mis- 
sissippi and Missouri Rivers, has made Brooklyn 
his headquarters for the past twenty-three years. 
He b.as served his friends and constituents in vari- 
ous local positions, having been Councilman and 
a member of the School Board. He is a leading 
Republican and prominent in the Masonic, An- 
cient Order of United "Workmen and Legion of 
Honor fraternities. 

Mr. Mousley was born in Litchfield, Stafford- 
shire, England, November 5, 1835, and is a son of 
John and Isabella (Bailey) Mousley. His grand- 
father, who also bore the same Christian name, 
w.as a Custom-house office for forty-five years in 
London, and after serving faithfully for this time 
was pensioned for the remainder of his life. He 
reared four sons: George, who died when a j'oung 
man; John, William and Edward. William was 
appointed Chief of the British Arsenal in India, 
and Edward came to New Jersey, where he died, 
leaving a wife and two daughters. The sisters of 
our subject's father were Eliza, who married the 
Rev. Mr. Jones; and Isabella, who became Mrs. 
Dummelow; and Amelia. 

John Mousley, Sr., was born in London, Febru- 
ary 9, 1812, and on arriving at man's estate com- 
menced clerking in a store. In the spring of 1840 
he crossed the broad Atlantic, landing in New 
York City and locating on Staten Island, where he 
engaged in the coal and lumber business, which he 
followed for about twentj'-seven years. In 1867 
he retu'ed from active business life, and was called 



from this life in Brooklyn, N. Y., June 12, 1889. 
Foliticall3', he was a Republican, and socially, a 
member of the Masonic fraternity. By his first 
wife he was the father of eleven children, the follow- 
ing five of whom grew to adult years: John E.; Will- 
iam, who resides in Grinnell, Iowa; Mary A., who 
became the wife of James W. Jack, of Staten Is- 
land, and died in New York City; Eliza, wife of 
Charles G. Lescano, who died in Brooklyn ; and Isa- 
bella, who departed this life in Jersc}' Cit}'. The 
mother of this famil}", who died in September, 
1865, was a native of Staffordshire, England. By 
his second marriage Mr. jMousley had two children, 
Emma and Daniel. 

Our subject came to the United States with his 
parents, and received a common-school education. 
He has earned his own livelihood since reaching 
the age of twelve years, at which time he began 
working in a hat factory. When fifteen he com- 
menced learning the carpenter's trade, and four 
years later removed to Indianapolis. In the fall 
of 1855 lie came to Iowa, working at his trade for 
three months in Davenport. In December of that 
3'ear he commenced railroading as a fireman on 
the Mississippi & Missouri Railroad, now known 
as the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad. 
In 1857 he was promoted, and ran an engine for 
the next three years, in 1870 coming lo Brooklyn, 
where he h.as been foreman of the roundhouse 
for many years. In the summer of 1854 he en- 
listed in the Government service as an engineer, 
running from Nashville to Chattanooga for six 
months. 

In 1859 Mr. Mousley was united in marriage 
with Mrs. Jane E., widow of William Morgan, the 
date of the wedding being December 27. By that 
union Mrs. Mousley had a son, Charles W. She is 
the daughter of Barton and Racliael (Brower) 
Bush, who were both born and reared in the Key- 
stone State. The father, who was a Presbyterian 
in religious faith, passed his entire life in Pennsyl- 
vania, his death occurring there. He and his 
worthj' wife reared a family of six sons and five 
daughters, the three elder of whom, John, Jacob 
and James, were in service during the Civil War, 
John as a physician and surgeon. The union of our 
subject and his wife has been blessed by four chil- 



658 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



dren: John Frank; William B., who married Miss 
Laura Miller, of Iowa City, May 3, 1893; James 
E. and George K. The parents are active mem- 
bers of the Episcopal Church, honored and re- 
spected throughout this region. 



vSAAC V. DENNIS, our subject, is a ver}- agree- 
able and sociable gentleman and an esperi- 
'Jl enced farmer, who resides on section 6, West 
Lucas Township, Johnson Count}', Iowa. He was 
born upwards of seventy years ago, November 13, 
1822, in Clermont County, Ohio, being the son of 
John Dennis, a native of the same county in Ohio 
as tlie son, a prominent man of Clermont, a man- 
ufacturer of oil and a wool carder, who died in 
1837, in his native place. The father was a native 
of Penns3'lvania, who settled at an early day in 
Ohio, his people coming from Virginia. 

The mother of our subject, Mary A. (Voorhees) 
Dennis, was a native of Pennsylvania and died in 
Johnson County, Iowa, in 1890. (See slveteh of 
her brother elsewhere in this Recoud for a history 
of her father.) Tiie father and mother of our sub- 
ject were the parents of two sons and one daugli- 
ter, all of whom grew to maturity: Bryan, living 
in Jolinson Count}'; Sarah A., wife of A. J. Bond, 
of Storm Lake; and our subject. The latter was 
the second child and son. He received a com- 
mon-school education in his home district and 
came to Johnson County, Iowa, in 1839, when a 
youth of seventeen, liis mother, brother and sister 
accompanying him. He at last went on the farm 
wliere he now lives, this being the first land 
sold in the State. He and his brother came out of 
a town to the farm, and they broke the first Mty 
acres that were plowed west of the Iowa River. 
The Government had caused a furrow to be plowed 
all the way to Dubuque for the purpose of mak- 
ing a road, which was known as Dillon's Furrow. 

Our subject was married in 1843 to Elizabeth 
Fellows, a native of New Hampshire. Her fatlier, 
a native of the same State, was born in 1796. His 



father came to Johnson Count}' in his eightieth 
year, and was the oldest man in the county, and 
the first man to die in it. He had his cofflu made 
from a walnut log, which his neighbors cut and 
split, her father helping to make this puncheon 
box, there not being a board nearer than Mus- 
catine and Dubuque. Her father entered laud 
from the Government and finally died April 23, 
1863. Mrs. Dennis' mother, Polly (Foss) Fellows, 
was born in New Hampshire May 6, 1797, and 
died August 25, 1870. She was the mother of two 
daughters, Mrs. Dennis being the elder. Her sis- 
ter, Mrs. Smith, a widow, resides in Buffalo, Neb., 
Mrs. Dennis being the only one of her family in 
Johnson County. 

Mrs. Dennis came to Johnson County in 1838 
with her parents and sister and a lady cousin, 
there not being twenty-five people in the entire 
county, not more than five houses in Dubuque, 
and but two in Muscatine. They settled on In- 
dian land. Our subject settled upon the land 
where he now resides in the year 1843. He 
built a log house, 10x12 feet, in whicii four persons 
lived for one year, and had little or no furniture 
during that time. The first bread they had after 
coming to Iowa was made of buckwheat, which 
they ground in a coffee-mill and sifted through 
muslin. His father-iu-law went to St. Louis for a 
Nigger Cofifee-inill, the first in the county, and peo- 
ple came thirty and forty miles to have their corn 
ground. Our subject built the first frame house 
in Johnson County, selling wheal for thirty-five 
cents a bushel to buy lumber at $10 per thou- 
sand, hauling it from Muscatine. This house yet 
stands upon the farm. 

During the war Mr. Dennis r.-iised a company, 
of which he became Captain, and was mustered 
itito the service at Iowa City September 9, 1862, 
doing guard duty in Missouri. He served seven 
months, and on account of sickness was com- 
pelled to resign. He is connected with Post No. 
8, G. A. R., at Iowa City. He draws a pension of 
120 per month. 

Mr. and Mrs. Dennis have five sons and one 
daugliter, viz: Emma, wife of A. W. Davis, of 
Janesville, Wis.; George F., married to Abbie 
Tidd, living at Los Angeles, Cal.; Lucien I., born 



PORTKAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



659 



November 11, 1853, single, at home; AVilliam D., 
born December 1, 1856, at home; Samuel R., born 
Januarj- 22, 1859, Superintendent of the Piano 
Works, at Piano, 111., and married to Julia Burke, of 
Oxford, Johnson County, Iowa; and U. S. Grant, 
born November 22, 1864, a natural artist, with 
superior power as a painter. Our subject and his 
wife have six grandchildren. 

Our subject has a well-improved farm of two 
hundred and sixtj' acres, which his sons cultivate, 
he having retired from active work. Mr. Dennis 
printed the first Democratic paper published in 
Johnson Count}', the Argxis, at Iowa City, it hav- 
ing an existence of about eighteen months. But he 
is now a stanch Republican, rooted and grounded 
in that faith, and is Township Trustee, an office he 
has held for man}- years; he also held the office of 
Supervisor for a great many j'ears. The i-ecords 
of the Historical Society at Iowa City show that 
our subject paid the first taxes paid in Johnson 
County, the sum being fifteen cents. 



^l], ENRY C. ALTIG, an honored pioneer agri- 

iT)! culturist of Poweshiek County, now resides 
s^^' upon his valuable farm of fortv productive 
(^) acres whicli he entered from the Govern- 
ment about forty-three years ago, and is to-da^^ the 
oldest settler in Grinnell Township, living upon a 
homestead which he has himself taken from the 
Government. Since 1847 an eye-witness of the 
wonderful growth and rapid advancement of Iowa, 
our subject has been actively identified with the 
various leading enterprises of his locality, and is 
widely known as a liberal and public-spirited citi- 
zen. Mr. Altig was born in Mason County, K}-., 
in 1821, and when but a child left his birthplace 
with his mother, brothers and sisters and located 
in Hamilton Count}-, Ohio. His parents, Micajah 
and Maria (Elyea) Altig, were undoubtedly both 
natives of Ohio. The paternal grandfather, Henry 
Altig, was born on Long Island, but was of Ger- 
man anceslr}'. He was a blacksmith by trade and 



a maker of reaper-hooks, which at that time were in 
use, and, an energetic and enterprising man, self- 
reliantl}- won his upward way to a comfortable 
competence. 

After the widowed mother of our subject had 
made her home with her familj' in Ohio about 
four years, Henry C. removed to Sangamon 
Count}', 111., and there received a common-school 
education, and grew up to manhood an energetic 
and industrious citizen. In 1844 our subject 
journeyed to Louisiana, and went to work on a 
towboat, bringing vessels in from the Gulf. Dur- 
ing this year he contracted yellow fever and 
suffered a severe sickness. Soon after his recover}^ 
he was united in marriage with Miss Amanda Van 
Dusen, and some two or three 3ears later came 
with his family to Iowa, locating in Burlington 
in 1847, and remaining in that thriving city about 
two years. In 1850, Mr. Altig settled permanently 
in Poweshiek County, making his residence upon 
the forty acres where he now lives, and which was 
for manj' j'ears the most distant farm, being away 
out upon the prairie almost to the limits of the 
township. Three daughters and two sons grew up 
to mature age in the pleasant Iowa home. Maria, 
the eldest-born, is now the wife of Henry McCar- 
roll, a prosperous business man of Davenport; 
Elizabeth was the second in order of birth; Eliza 
is the wife of John Bernard, of Grinnell; Adol- 
phus lives in Moline, 111.; and Perry resides in 
Jasper Count}', Iowa. 

In September, 1888, the estimable wife of our 
subject died, mourned by her husband, children 
and a large circle of friends. She was a member of 
the United Brethren Church and a sincere Christian 
woman, highly respected by all who knew her. 
Mr. Altig is liberal in his religious views, but, a 
man of earnest purpose and integrity of char.<i('ter, 
may ever be found upon the side of right and 
justice, and is a ready aid in good works and be- 
nevolent enterprises. His children occupy posi- 
tions of usefulness and influence and have been 
well fitted to accept any duties or responsibilities 
to which they may be called. Since 1860, our 
subject has in national elections voted the Repub- 
lican ticket, but in local politics he is independent, 
giving to the best man the benefit of his vote. 



660 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Many seasons have come and gone since our sub- 
ject, locating upon his homestead, was able to keep 
the table well supplied with wild game, shooting 
much of it within the limits of liis acreage. In the 
jtassing years his farm, brought up to a high state 
of cultivation, has constantly increased in value 
and now yields an excellent annual harvest. Sur- 
rounded by the acquaintance of more than two- 
score years, Mr. Altig is entering upon the even- 
ing of his days, and may with pleasure review the 
record of his upright and industrious life. 



'$BS^iM^t?2_ 



m^^^m^m 



^1 OHN ENGLISH, now the earliest pioneer set- 
tler surviving in Sugar Creek Township 
Poweshiek County, Iowa, is widely known 
and highly respected as a man of native 
abilit}^, energy and intelligence. His parents, Will- 
iam and Annie (Vincent) English, were prominent 
in the early history of the Hawkeye State, having 
located in Sugar Creek Township when there was 
but one house north of Skunk River for thirty 
miles below, and none above. The father, AVill- 
iam English, born in Pennsylvania, was undoubt- 
edly of remote English descent. The Vincents 
came originally from Scotland to America, where 
the various branches of the family prospered and 
now occupy positions of honor and usefulness. 
Annie Vincent, the mother, was a native of and 
reared in the State of New York, but after her 
marriage resided with her husband in Piqua, Mi- 
ami County, Ohio, where our subject was born in 
18.'!."). John English was the second of the family 
of five children who blessed with their cheery 
presence the pioneer Iowa home. Jerome, the 
eldest, died in Poweshiek County; Nancy, the first 
daughter, married Thomas Hughey, .and emigrat- 
ing to Oregon passed away in that distant State; 
Ereelove A. and Lydia J., twin daughters, yet 
surviving, married respectively Samuel J. Stewart 
and John Riggs. 

John English was but a little lad when with his 
parents, brothers and sisters he made his home 



upon the east side of English Creek, thus named 
in honor of the residents upon its banks. The 
father took up two hundred acres of Government 
land, situated upon section 26, and with the aid of 
his sons entered zealously into the cultivation of 
the fertile tract. For some j'ears the county was 
sparsely settled and the neighbors were few and 
far between. An old log building, 16x18 feet, 
now sewing in the humble capacity of a stable, 
was the Qrst schoolhouse ever built in Poweshiek 
Count3% and was erected in 1851. Previous to 
that time the settlers, banding together, had rented 
other places in which their children might receive 
the benefit of at least rudimentar}' instruction. 
William English, the father of our subject, taught 
the first two weeks in the new schoolhouse and 
then was succeeded by John McDowell, who also 
in turn taught two weeks. After the jDrimitive 
building had served its original purpose but two 
terms, it was taken possession of by a man who 
had entered the land upon which it stood from 
the Government, and during the changing scenes 
of the past two-scoi'e years it was used as a resi- 
dence by numerous families, and later becoming 
a granary and lumber house, finally descended to 
its present use. 

Reared amid pioneer scenes and early trained 
in habits of useful industry, our subject attained 
manhood an energetic and self-reliant American 
citizen, able and enterprising. Beginning life for 
himself at a comparatively youthful age, he was 
not long after united in marriage with Miss Mary 
Stanley, daughter of John T. Stanley, and a lady 
highly esteemed by a large circle of friends. The 
children of Mr. and Mrs. English are six in num- 
ber. Minerva, the eldest, married Elias James, 
of Searsboro; Mary is the wife of Charles Harp; 
Perry resides at home; William is a prosperous 
farmer; Clara is the wife of John Me^'ers; Nettie, 
the youngest child, is yet with her parents. For 
nearly a half-century a constant resident of his 
present locality and intimately associated during 
this time with the growth and upward progress of 
Iowa, Mr. English has ever been numbered among 
the substantial and leading citizens, through whose 
earnest md untiring efforts the best interests of 
Poweshiek County have been promoted. Here in 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPinCAL RECORD. 



661 



the home of his early years he has spent the most 
of his useful days, and here has reared a family 
highly regarded and respected by all who know 
them, and to his sons and daughters can bequeath 
as a precious legacy the record of his upright life 
and faithful citizenship. Politically our subject 
is a Democrat, and a firm believer in the princi- 
ples of the party. Without aspiration for ollice, 
he yet takes an abiding interest in the local and 
national issues of tlie day, and, an ardent advocate 
of educational advancement, and ever readj^ to 
aid in nil matters of mutual welfare, is both public- 
spirited and progressive and commands the entire 
confidence of tlie communit3- b}' whom he is sur- 
rounded. 



]^+^[ 



f^UGENE H. SKINNER for four years was 
^'Or of Brooklyn, and for a number of 
years was in the hotel business in this place? 
operating the Skinner House. He has been a resi- 
dent of Iowa almost uninterruptedly since 1858. 
Mr. Skinner of this sketch was born in Nunda, 
Livingston County, N. Y., on November 24, 1844. 
His paternal grandfather, who bore the Christian 
name of Samuel, was a native of Scio, N. Y., about 
twenty miles north of Saratoga Springs. He was 
an enterprising farmer in that locality, and later 
removed to Nunda, near which village he operated 
a farm and was numbered among the representa- 
tive citizens. He served as a member of the New 
York Assembly, at one time was a stanch Wliig 
and later affiliated witii the Republicaii party. 
His death occurred in Brookl3-n in May, 1876, at 
the age of eighty-one years. He was twice mar- 
ried, his first union being with Miss Silvia Slatler, 
by whom he had five sons and a daughter. Mr. 
.Skinner married again, the second wife dying in 
Austin, 111. Our subject's mother, who died in 
New York, was a devoted member of the Baptist 
Church. 

Henry II. Skinner, our subject's father, was born 
in Saratoga County and later removed to Livingston 



County in the same State. He was a carpenter and 
followed that occupation in the East until 1852, 
when he took a contract in Canada on the Grand 
Trunk Railway, and in 1854 was located in S3'ra- 
cuse. Four years later he removed Westward to 
Iowa, still engaging in the railroad business until 
1862, when he came to Brooklyn and erected the 
Skinner House. This he ran successfully until 
1876, when his son, our subject, took charge of 
the business and carried it on for several years. 
This was the first hotel in the place, and was sit- 
uated conveniently near the depot. Mr. Skinner, 
whose death occurred July 13, 1877, was then 
fifty-nine 3-ears of age. He was active in Demo- 
cratic political circles, was a Mason and a member 
of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. His 
wife, before her marriage was Miss Mar}^ W., a 
daughter of John Conklin, a well-known farmer 
in Nunda, Livingston County, N. Y., who later 
removed to Delavan, Wis., and died in that place. 
Mrs. Skinner died in 1885, leaving a family of 
three children, our subject, Affetia, and Julian, 
who died when thirty 3ears of age. The father 
served at one time as Councilman of Brooklyn, 
and both he and his wife held membership with 
the Baptist Church of tiiat place. 

Our subject passed his earh' boyhood in the 
county of his birth and removed with his parents 
in 1858 to Iowa. He received a good common- 
school education, which was further supplemented 
b^^ a course of study in the Academy at Iowa City. 
In 1861 he began railroading on the Rock Island 
& Pacific Railroad as a brakeman at first, and 
afterward as a fireman. In 1864 he began running 
as an engineer and continued as such until the 
fall of 1875. The year after, as previouslj' men- 
tioned, he assumed the management of the Skin- 
ner House, his father retiring from active business 
cares. In 1880 Mr. Skinner was elected on the 
Democratic ticket to serve as Mayor of Brooklyn, 
which position he filled most acceptably to one 
and all for the succeeding four years. 

Mr. Skinner was united in marriage with Miss 
Mar^' A. Snyder, who is a daughter of Martin and 
Catherine Snyder. Mrs. Skinner is a member of 
the Baptist or Reformed Dunkard Church, and 
our subject is a leading member of the Masonic 



662 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Fraleruity. He is considered one of tlie enter- 
prising business men and prominent citizens of 
Brooklyn, with the welfare of which he has been 
prominently connected for many years past. 



OX. G. W. WAGNER. AVe doubt if there 
X^ is a finer farm to be found in Sharon 

Township than that which is owned by Mr. 

AVagner, whose extreme diligence .and pro- 
gressive ideas have tended to enhance the value of 
his property and have bad a great deal to do with 
obtaining the competence he now enjoys. His 
estate embraces three hundred and thirty-four 
acres, all of which are improved and all in one body, 
and considerable attention has also been given to 
stock-raising, which he has made a prominent fea- 
ture of his farming industry. He has some fine 
Clydesdale horses, and for the past four years has 
been breeding standard-bred trotters. His farm 
is ornamented with a large and exceptionally 
handsome frame residence, which was erected in 
1887, and he has a large bank barn, which was 
built in 1882. His place has a look of neatness 
and thrift, and is in full keeping with Mr. W.ag- 
ner's methods of conducting his affairs, it being 
but necessary to glance over his farm to know that 
the owner is a man of intelligence, enlightened 
and progressive views. He was born in Washing- 
ton Township, Johnson County, Iowa, M.ay 24, 
1859, his father, G. W. AVagner, being a native of 
Licking County, Ohio, and the grandfather a prod- 
uct of the State of Maryland and of German de- 
scent. He was a miller and distiller by occupation, 
and these trades continued to receive his atten- 
tion after his removal to Pennsylvania. At a later 
period he became one of the very early pioneer 
settlers of Licking County, Ohio, where he spent 
his declining ^^ears and was called from life when 
quite advanced in years. 

G. W. Wagner, the father of the subject of this 
sketch, was brought up as a farmer, and to this oc- 
cupation his attention was devoted in after j'ears. 



He chose a wife in Licking County, Ohio, but in 
1846 he left that region to seek a home and com- 
petence for himself and famil)- in what was then 
the wilds of Iowa, and the entire journej' hither 
was made b}- wagon. The settlers in Washington 
Township at that time were few and far between, 
and the greater part of the country was still as 
nature had formed it, but Mr. Wagner was a suffi- 
ciently good judge of land to know that the 
outlook for a farmer was exceedingl}' promising, 
and he at once entered a tract of land and ener- 
getically began the work of developing and im- 
proving, his efforts in this direction being gener- 
ously rewarded. In 1863 his career was closed by 
death, at which time he was an honored member 
of the Christian Church and a Democrat of pro- 
nounced views. He was a genial, hospitable and 
whole-souled gentleman, the soul of honor in his 
business transactions, and his memory is still 
treasured by the old settlers of the community, as 
well as by the surviving members of his family. 
His wife was formerly Miss Clarissa Patterson, of 
Licking County, Ohio, by whom he became the fa- 
ther of two children, John and George W. 

George AV. AVagner, like so many of the sub- 
stantial farmers of the country, was initiated into 
the raj-steries of farming from the very first, and 
this has since continued to be the calling to which 
his attention has been directed with the most sat- 
isfactory results. As soon as he had attained a 
suitable age he was placed in school, at which time 
there were only three schoolhouses in the town- 
ship. He was left fatherless at the age of four 
years, .and at the earl^' age of sixteen years he be- 
gan the battle of life for himself, and for some 
time thereafter tilled a portion of the home farm. 
Becoming tired of a state of single blessedness, he 
was married December 23, 1880, to Miss Jennie S. 
Shaver, who was born in AA'ashington Township, 
this county, March 29, 1862, a daughter of Capt. 
Philip Shaver (a sketch of whom appears in this 
volume). Their union resulted in the birth of 
three children: Philip E., Nellie, and one that died 
in infanc.y unnamed. After his marriage, Mr. 
Wagner settled with his joungwife on his present 
farm, which he purchased in 1879, having lived on 
the same the j-ear preceding his marriage, and all 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



665 



the fine improvements that have been made are 
the result of his persistent energy and good man- 
agement. 

Like his fatlier before him, Mr. Wagner is a 
Democrat in his political views, and on this ticket 
was elected to the office of Justice of the Peace in 
1882, when only twenty- two years of age; he 
served with marked ability and to the satisfaction 
of all concerned for four years. In the fall of 
1887 his numerous friends elected him to the State 
Legislature, in which body he made an excellent 
record for himself, jiroving himself to be an intel- 
ligent legislator and keenly alive to the interests 
of his section. He introduced a bill for the appro- 
priation of money for the State University at Iowa 
City, which was passed, the appropriation being 
larger than any previous one. He served on the 
following committees: Pharmac}', Medicine, Sur- 
gery, Animal Industr3-, College for the Blind, Po- 
lice Regulations, Military, Senatorial Districts, 
Fish and Game, in each and all of which lie showed 
himself to be well posted and up with the times. 
He is a member of the Ancient Free & Accepted 
Masons and the Independent Order of Odd Fel- 
lows at Kalona. He is Vice-President of the John- 
son County Coal Companj-, recentlj^ organized, 
but work has not yet been commenced. Mr. Wag- 
ner is well known for his benevolence and high 
sense of honor, and a bright and prosperous future 
is before him. 



--^m>^^<m^ 



I I^ILLIAM COCHRAN, an honored citizen 
\/\//l ^^'^ representative general agriculturist of 
\yy\jf Johnson County, Iowa, is one of the earli- 
est settlers in the township, and will, in the spring 
of 1893, complete his half-century's residence in 
Graham Township, where he located three years 
before the Territory of Iowa was admitted into the 
Union. Born in New Jersey September 10, 1830, 
our subject was very young when his parents, 
Matthew and Margaret ( Russell) Cochran, removed 
to New York Cit}-, in which metropolis William 
30 



spent the daj's of his early boyhood. He had for a 
time enjoj'ed the advantage of instruction in the 
public scliools when his father and mother, with 
their family, journeyed to St. Louis. Arriving 
there in the fall of 1842, they spent the winter in 
Missouri, and in the spring of 1843 located in 
Johnson County, Iowa. A large circle of old ac- 
quaintances well remember Matthew Cochran and 
his good wife, although the snows of a quarter 
of a century have each recurring season rested like 
a benediction upon their revered graves. The 
worthy husband and wife were both natives of Scot- 
land, the father having been born in Old Scotia 
upon September 23, 1793, the mother's natal day 
being in January, 1798. 

Grandfather Cochran was noted for his upright 
character and devoted piety. He died in Ireland, 
whither he had gone during the Irish Rebellion. 
The maternal grandfather was born, educated and 
married in Bonnie Scotland, and passed away in 
his native land. The father of our subject was a 
public-spirited man, and took a deep interest in 
both local and national affairs, and did much in 
the very early days to advance the material im- 
provements so essential to the comfort and con- 
venience of the settlers, who, as pioneers, had at 
the best to experience many discomforts and pri- 
vations. Both he and his wife were active and 
valued members of the Presbyterian Church. Mar- 
garet Cochran died February 20, 1864, and her 
husband, surviving the partner of his joys and 
sorrows a little more than two years, passed away 
December 16, 1866. These pioneer settlers were 
the parents of nine children, two daughters and 
seven sons, our subject being the seventh child of 
the family. 

Mr. Cochran has devoted the labor of his life to 
agricultural pursuits, and has achieved a comfort- 
able competence. His valuable homestead of two 
hundred and forty acres of finely-cultivated land 
is located upon section 27, Graham Township, and 
with its attractive residence and capacious barns 
and granaries presents a scene of thrift and plenty, 
evidencing excellent management and bounteous 
harvests. Upon December 15, 1865, our subject 
was united in marriage, in Iowa City, with Miss 
Margaret Ann Douglass, a native of Butler County, 



666 



PORTKAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Pa., and born October 10, 1839. Her father, James 
Douglass, was of Scotch ancestry, and a most ex- 
cellent man, well known in Scott Township, where 
he died November 9, 1859. He was but fifty-six 
years of age at the time of his death, having been 
born April 1. 1803. Mrs. Mary (Brown) Douglass, 
the motlier of Mrs. Cochran, was born in Pennsyl- 
vania, January 11, 1804, and survived her hus- 
band thirty-two 3'ears, drying September 14, 1891 
Unto Mr. and Mrs. AVilliam Cochran have been 
born four children, three sons and one daughter: 
John U., William E., Robert S. and Lina N., who 
are prominent factors in the social life of their 
home neighborhood. Mr. and Mrs. Cochran are 
active members and valued workers in the Presb}-- 
terian Church, of which religious organization 
our subject has been an Elder for many years. Mr. 
Cochran has been President of the Johnson County 
Alliance, and served efficiently as the presiding 
officer of that society. He is widely known as a 
progressive and public-spirited citizen, and enjoys 
the full confidence and high regard of the entire 
community among which his useful life has been 
passed. 



-^^^1 



hoa^i-.! 



11^^=^ 



if/,^ ALDAR OLSON is a highly respected citi- 
r)\l zen and a leading agriculturist of Hilton 
i^y^ Township, Iowa County. He has truly 
(l^) carved his own way to success, and that, 
too, quite rapidl}'. Landing in this country with- 
out any means, in fact being in debt to his uncle 
for the amount of his passage money, and having 
a very meagre education, his prosperity and ad- 
vancement have been marked from the first. 

Our subject, who was born in Norway, Novem- 
ber 6, 1850, is a son of Ole Hanson and Carrie 
(Helverson) Olson. The father was a farmer and 
stone mason, and his family' comprised eight chil- 
dren, the record of whom is as follows. Emma is 
the wife of Ilogan Hoganson, a farmer in Soutli 
Dakota; Hans is engaged in farming in Humboldt 
County, Iowa; Carrie is the wife of Ole Erstad and 
a resident of South Dakota; Ole is still making his 



home in his native land, Norway; Mary is the wife 
of Calvin Butler, of Atwood, Kan. Tlie youngest 
daugliter, who also bears the name of Mary, is 
still living in Norw.ay; while John, the youngest 
of the family, is carrying on a farm in this count}'. 

The boyhood and 3'outh of Haldar Olson were 
passed on his father's farm in the customary work 
and play common to farmer lads. His educa- 
tional privileges were limited, but he was a great 
reader and early made up his mind that he would 
try his fortunes in the United States, the land of 
great opportunities for young men of ambition 
and enterprise. Therefore, leaving his native 
shores and the friends of his youth, he crossed the 
ocean in 1872, and at once made his way to Iowa 
County, where for the first four years lie worked 
out by the month for farmers. He was possessed 
of the frugality and careful economy of the sturdy 
Norwegian, and at the end of that time he liad ac- 
cumulated quite a comfortable little sum of money, 
with which lie proceeded to rent land for three 
years. He was thorouglily industrious and hard- 
working, tlnis his efforts were blessed with abun- 
dant success, and in 1879, just seven years after his 
arrival as a poor bo}' in the borders of this county, 
he found himself the owner of one hundred and 
twenty acres of valuable land, which is a i)ortion 
of his present fine farm. Later, he added forty 
acres more, making his farm one of Ihe usually ac- 
cepted size for convenient farming, a tract of one 
hundred and sixt}' acres. 

In 1875 Mr. Olson and Miss Carrie O. Lee were 
united in marriage. She was called to the better 
land in 1884, leaving four little children: Carrie, 
Lena, Ole and Helma. The following year our 
subject was united in marriage with Miss Julia 
Nereson, who was also a native of Norway. They 
have three children: Julia, Rose and Herman. 

A Republican in politics, Mr. Olson has ever 
taken a commendable interest in public enterprises 
and has served his fellow-citizens faithfully- and 
well in various positions of trust and honor. He 
has been one of the Trustees of the township for 
six years, has served as Road Supervisor and Presi- 
dent of the School Board, and is a member and 
one of the Trustees of the Lutheran Chuicli. He 
has been much interested in raising stock in addi- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



667 



tion to his general fanning. He is a man of thor- 
ough honor and uprightness and the first money 
earned by him in this country was faithfully re- 
turned to the uncle who had so kindly advanced 
the same in payment of his transportation to this 
State. 



W YMAl 

Jlf r : 



YMAN PARSONS, President of the First 
atioual Bank of Iowa Citj-, is a popular, 
al and public-spirited citizen, and has 
won a host of friends in this vicinity, who hold 
him in the regard he so truly deserves. He is 
largely interested in Iowa City property, deals 
considerably in real estate, and also owns large 
tracts of land in North Dakota. In 1882, in com- 
pany with several others, he org.inized the bank 
above mentioned and was elected President in 
1883, which position he still holds. He occupies a 
like position in the Farmers' Loan and Trust Com- 
pany of thiscit^', having been its President since 
1883. He is one of the enterprising and progress- 
ive business men of this community and has ever 
taken a zealous interest in whatever pertains to 
its welfare since his lot was first cast with them. 

Mr. Parsons was born in Albany County, N. Y., 
at a place some twenty miles north of the city of 
Albany, on the 12th of November, 1829. His fa- 
ther was Alpheus Parsons and was a son of Adien 
Parsons, a native of Massachusetts and of English 
descent. Alpheus Parsons, when a young man, 
went to Albau}' Count}-, N. Y., and was united in 
marriage with Miss Anna Osterhout, who was born 
in Albany County and was the daughter of .lohn 
Osterhout, a native of the Empire State, but of 
German origin. Soon after his marriage Mr. Par- 
sons settled in Muuson, Mass., where he operated 
a sawmill for a large manufacturing concern, con- 
tinuing to make that place his home until late in 
life, when he removed to Juneau Countj', Wis., 
and subsequently to Iowa City, where his death 
occurred in 1881, at which time he was in his 
seventy-eighth 3ear. His worthy wife is still liv- 



ing and resides in Charlton City, Mass., having 
now also reached her eight3'-sixth year. 

L^'man Parsons, of whom we write, spent his 
boyhood days in Massachusetts, receiving there a 
common-school education, and at the age of six- 
teen began learning the trade of stone cutter. 
In 1851 he went South and was engaged in rail- 
roading for a while, then becoming a contractor on 
the Tennessee <fe Georgia Railroad, and subsequently 
on the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad 
helped to build the bridge at Kilbourne City, 
Wis. For nearlj' ten years he was in the employ 
of the Rock Island Railroad, then engaged in con- 
tracting for about fifteen years on the same road, 
contracting from Chicago to Council Bluffs, Iowa, 
doing bridge work, and was so engaged with that 
company until 1882, when he severed all of his in- 
terests with the various railroads. Since that 
time he has devoted himself principally to carry- 
ing on and conducting the banks mentioned at 
the beginning of this record, and is also largely 
interested in looking after his valuable real estate. 
He has fully proved himself to be a man of first- 
class executive ability and correct business meth- 
ods, and these qualities, added to his natural char- 
acteristics of industry and perseverance, have 
brought to him an abundant success. 

In his twcnt3--first year, or in 1850, Mr. Parsons 
married Miss Malina Stephens, of Palmer, Mass., a 
daughter of Ezra Stephens, a prominent citizen of 
that place. In August, 1865, our subject was 
called upon to mourn the loss of his faithful wife, 
who had endeared herself to all by her womanly 
qualities. Mr. Parsons married his present wife 
in July, 18G6. She was formerl}' Miss Elsie F. Leon- 
ard, a native of Massachusetts, and a resident of 
Wisconsin at the time of her marriage, her father, 
Luther Leonard, having removed to that State in 
the early '60s. To Mr. and Mrs. Parsons have 
been born nine children: Mabel L., Minnie G., 
Manvel C, George M., Irene, Ethel B., Ella B., 
Ralpli L. and Alice C. The three eldest are mar- 
ried. 

In his political affiliations our subject is a stanch 
Republican, and takes an interested part in every- 
thing tending to promote its interests. He is a 
member of the Christian Church, and is now one 



668 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



of the Elders. He is prominently identified witli 
Masonic circles, having attained the degree of 
Knight Templar and also of the Mystic Siirine. 
He is conscientious and thoroughly honorable in 
all his dealings with his fellow-men, and makes it 
his constant endeavor to put into practice in liis 
daily life the precepts and principles of the faith 
which he possesses. In personal appearance he is 
distinguished, and is readily singled out from a 
group as a man of much more than ordinary intel- 
ligence and dignified bearing. His present resi- 
dence is located on Market Street, near the city 
limits, where lie has a beautiful country home. 



^.;NDREW J. DAVIDSON. Among the ac- 
(@10| tive and enterprising young farmers of 
(a Bear Creek Township, Poweshiek County, 
is the gentleman of whom we write, who 
owns a well-improved farm of two hundred acres 
on sections 16 and 17. He has onl3'^ recently re- 
moved to his farm, having settled upon it in 1892. 
He was born in Brooklyn, this county. May 14, 
1856, his parents being John and Rachael (David- 
son) Davidson. His grandfather, John Davidson, 
was born in County Down, Ireland, and when a 
lad of sixteen years came to this country, hop- 
ing to better his condition. He settled in Beaver 
County, Pa., where he assisted in building the 
Pittsburgh & Erie Canal. In June, 1855, he re- 
moved to Brooklyn, this county, and purchased a 
farm of one hundred and sixty acres, to the im- 
provement of which he gave the remainder of 
his life. His death occurred in 1880, at which 
time he had reached the age of eighty-five years. 
He was an active Republican, and both he and 
his wife, who was formerly a Miss Thompson, 
also a native of the Emerald Isle, were devoted 
members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, he 
being one of the organizers of the church of that 
denomination in Brooklyn. They had a family 
of seven sons and six daughters, the livinsi: mem- 



bers of the family being scattered in various por- 
tions of the United States. The mother of these 
children died during the war, after which her hus- 
band married Miss Libby Park. 

John Davidson, our subject's father, was horn 
in Beaver County, Pa., August 16, 1829, and came 
to Iowa in 1855. He settled on one hundred and 
fifty acres of land not far from Brooklyn, which 
he improved, and shortly before his death owned 
a valuable property of ten hundred and fiftj'-two 
acres, of which fully seven hundred acres were 
under good cultivation. He taught the first two 
winters of school ever taught in Brooklyn. He 
was one of the pioneers of the coming civiliza- 
tion and prosperity, and was obliged to put up 
with many privations and hardships, having to 
haul his grain to Iowa City. He was a Mason, 
and served his fellow-citizens as Assessor of the 
township for three terms, and for two terras was 
Justice of the Peace. Politically, he was formerly 
a Democrat, afterward becoming a Republican. 
His name has gone down to histoiy as one of the 
organizers of the Methodist Episcopal Church of 
Brooklyn. lie was twice married, his first wife, 
the mother of our subject, bearing him five chil- 
dren: Albert, Andrew, William J., Mary J. and 
Rachael. The mother having died in May, 1862, 
the father some time afterwaid married Lavinia 
S. Iliggins. Of their four children, only one, 
Herbert, is now living. 

The subject of this notice was reared to farm 
life and received a district-school education, after 
which he was enabled to spend two j^ears of study 
in the Iowa Wesleyan Universit}', at Mt. Pleas- 
ant, Iowa. After leaving that institution he 
spent four terms in teaching school, and since 
1878 has turned his attention to farming, with 
the exception of four years, when, from 1885 to 
1889, he engaged in the butcher business in Brook- 
lyn. March 23, 1881, was celebiated the union of 
Mr. Davidson and Emma E. Blanchard, who was 
born in East Stoughton, Vt. She is a daughter of 
Elijah and Mary M. (Rice) Blanchard, who were 
both born in the Green Mountain State. The 
former was a merchant and Postmaster in Massa 
chusetts, and for some years ran an hotel near 
Newport, N. H. In 1864 he removed to the Hawk- 





5YLVANUS Johnson 



POUTRAIT AiSTt) BIOGHAf HICAL RECORD. 



671 



eye State, locating in Brookljai, where be en- 
gaged in buying and selling cattle. His family 
were of English origin. He was called from this 
life November 27, 1886, his widow still surviving 
him. Both were active in the work of the Meth- 
odist Episcopal Church. 

Mrs. Davidson is one of six children, and by her 
marriage has become the mother of one son and 
four daughters: Floy E., Rexford .J., Ada M., 
Lillie R. and Nellie. Our subject and his wife 
are esteemed mcmhers of the Methodist Episco- 
pal Church, to which the former has belonged for 
twenty years, and his wife for nearly that length 
of time. Mr. Davidson is a Trustee of the church, 
and politically casts his ballot in favor of Repub- 
lican nominees. He is a man who has always led 
an upright and honorable life, and his past life is 
like an open book that all may read. 



*^^ 



YLVANUS JOHNSON, an old settler and 
prominent farmer of Johnson Count}', 
Iowa, resides on section 34, in East Lucas 
Township, and was born in Hamden, New 
Haven County, Conn., November 12, 1813. His 
father, Ilezekiah Johnson, was born in the town of 
Wallingford, Conn., December 25, 1779. He be- 
came a brickniaker, continued it during life, and 
died in his native place in 1845, at the age of 
sixty-six. The grandfather of our subject was also 
named Ilezekiah, and was born of English parents. 
During life he became a Captain on the sea and 
died at the age of seventy-seven years. The mother 
of our subject was named Betsey Tuttlc, and was a 
native of Connecticut, where she lived until she 
had become the mother of eight children, dying at 
the age of fifty-five years. Only three of the chil- 
dren are now living, oursubject having one brother 
and one sister, the former being Norris M., of 
Connecticut, and the latter, Frances E., who is the 
widow of Ezra Stiles, of North Haven, Conn. 
Mr. Johnson, who is the third son, was reared in 



his native place until twenty-two years old, being ed- 
ucated in the public schools. He was married April 
13, 1845, to Emily Bradley, the daughter of Har- 
vey and Eliza (Merriman) Bradley, who was born 
in New Haven County, Conn., February 20, 1819. 
Our subject came to Iowa when unmarried, in 1837, 
where he contracted to make the bricks for the old 
State House, which is now the University in Iowa 
Cit}', he making all there are in the structure. He 
continued to make bricks for twenty j'ears, supply- 
ing them for most of the large buildings, as the 
Sisters' Hospital, the Methodist Episcopal and 
Baptist Churches, etc. Returning to his native 
place in 1844, he was married there the following 
year and returned to Iowa, bringing his bride and 
locating in Iowa City. In 1840 he built a log 
house where Mr. Morrison's house now stands; af- 
terward he built a frame house upon the same spot, 
and then the brick house that stands on Burling- 
ton and Gilbert Streets. The frame house became 
his residence for the first time in 1857. He bought 
the land when there were no improvements, he first 
erecting a log house. His present residence he 
built in 1857, and in the same year he made the 
bricks for it, the work being done by Mr. Sangster. 

Mr. Johnson now has five hundred and forty 
acres of land, with between three and four hundred 
of it under cultivation. Nine children were born 
to Mr. and Mrs. Johnson, four sons and two daugh- 
ters of whom are living: Lawrence B., who was 
Deputy Sherifl of Johnson County for four years; 
Theodore, of Louisiana; Ellsworth and Ella Frances, 
twins, Ellsworth living in Council Bluffs and Ella 
at home; Dr. Leora, a homeopathic phjsician of 
Iowa City; and Homer S., living at home. When 
our subject first arrived in Iowa Cit}' he did not 
have money enough to buy a dinner. Not more 
than a half-dozen houses were in the place, and 
the}' were in an unfinished state, and the first 
house he slept in was a log house, without doors 
or windows. 

Our subject has always been a Democrat, was 
elected School Trustee for a number of terms, and 
was one of the first members of the City Council 
C)f Iowa City. He was a First Lieutenant in the 
Missouri War of 1839, and was a member of the 
first temperance organization of Iowa City. Mr. 



672 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



and Mrs. Johnson are members of tbe Baptist 
Church of Iowa City, and he has been Trustee of 
the same for many 3'ears. Our subject has a farm 
that may well excite envy, it being one of the 
most productive, best cultivated and beautiful in 
the county. 



^^EORGE HUNTER, an enterprising agricul- 
III __, turist and well-known and highly respected 
'^^^ citizen of Scott Township, Johnson County, 
Iowa, is one of the most influential men in this 
part of the State, and bas held with ability many 
otlicial positions of trust, whose duties, discharged 
with faithful fidelity, have materially aided in the 
advancement of the best interests of his home lo- 
cality. The farm, which for so many years has 
been under his care and management, is located 
on section 8, and in the high cultivation of the 
one hundred and sixty acres, and the excellent and 
substantial Iniildings which improve the home- 
stead, the energetic thrift of the prosperous owner 
is plainl}' visible. Mr. Hunter was born April 24, 
184.3, in Trumbull County, Ohio, and was the 
eleventh child in the familj' of twelve sons and 
daughters born unto Adam and Elizabeth (Morri- 
son) Hunter, pioneer residents of Iowa. The 
Hunter brothers, widely known throughout John- 
son County, are paternally of Irish ancestry, Adam 
Hunter having been born and educated in the 
province of Ulster, County of Antrim, Ireland. 
Arriving in America when seventeen years of 
age, he industriouslj' made his own way in the' 
world, and comparatively early in life married 
Miss Elizabeth Morrison, of York, Pa., and with 
her settled in Baltimore, Md., thence removing 
to Trumbull County, Ohio, and in 1850 loca- 
ting in Johnson Count}', Iowa, where, in his Scott 
Township homestead, he died deeply regretted 
December 18, 1876. His wife, who long survived 
him, passed away February 6, 1889. 

Our subject was but a little lad when, with Ins 
brothers and sisters, lie emigrated to Iowa, where 



he was reared on his father's farm in Scott Town- 
ship, and attended the nearest district school, en- 
joj'ing the full advantage of instruction through- 
out his boyhood. When but nineteen years of 
age, George Hunter, in response to his coHntr3''s 
call, enlisted August 8, 1862, in Company F, 
Twenty-second Iowa Infantrj', and served with 
faithful braver}' until the close of the Civil War. 
He actively participated in the siege of Vicksburg, 
and was engaged in the campaign in the Slienan- 
doah Valley under Gen. Sheridan, and constantly 
facing the danger of prison pen and death upon 
the battlefield, escaped without severe wound or 
capture. He was mustered out of the Govern- 
mental service with honor, and then, returning to 
Johnson County, was received with joy bj' his 
large famil}', parents, brothers and sisters, and once 
more resumed the vocation of agriculture. Sep- 
tember 20, 1866, our subject was united in mar- 
riage with Miss Esther McCrory, daugliter of the 
late Hon. Samuel H. and Elizabeth P. (McCloud) 
McCrory, old settlers of Iowa, within whose bord- 
ers Mr. McCrory located before the Territory had 
received the dignity of Statehood. The Hon. 
Samuel H. McCrory occupied a very prominent 
position in tlie early history of Johnson County, 
and filled man}' important offices of trust, enjoy- 
ing the universal esteem and confidence of his as- 
sociates and fellow-citizens. 

Mrs. Hunter, born in Johnson County, Au- 
gust 11, 1843, received her education in the home 
schools, and soon after her marriage located with 
her husband upon the fine farm of one hundred 
and sixty acres where they still continue to reside. 
The homestead contains many valuable improve- 
ments, and is one of the best in Scott Township. 
The pleasant home of our subject and his wife has 
been blessed by the birth of two children, Glenn 
S. and George M. The eldest son, Glenn, married 
Jliss Jennie Witzel, an intelligent and estimable 
young lady of Iowa. Mr. Hunter has always been 
interested in local and national affairs, and has 
held with efficient ability many township and 
county offices of responsibility. He is also active 
in religious work, and is ably assisted in benevo- 
lent enterprises by his excellent wife, both Mr. and 
Mrs. Hunter beinsf amonij tiie valued members of 



PORTRAIT AKD BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



673 



the Presbjterian Church. Our subject is frater- 
nally connected with Iowa City Post No. 8, G. A. 
R., and is one of the old veterans, whose reunions 
are looked forward to with pleasurable anticipa- 
tions by every member of the order. For more 
than forty j'ears a constant resident of Iowa, and 
from early manhood associated with the advance- 
ment of the best interests of Johnson County, our 
subject is widely known, and possesses the good- 
will, best wishes and high regard of an extended 
circle of old-time friends and acquaintances. 






I'NTHOXY ROSENBERGER, a successful 
agriculturist, honored citizen and pioneer 
resident of section 13, Hartford Town- 
ship, Iowa Count}', is widely known as a 
man of earnest purpose and sterling integrity of 
character. Born in Jefferson County, Va., August 
20, 1818, our subject was the son of a prominent 
pioneer who bravely overcame the privations 
and dangers of frontier life in the Middle 
States, and after moving to the AVest was among 
the very early and entei'prising settlers of the 
State of Iowa. The Rosenbergers were among 
the Colonists of Virginia, and in the Old Do- 
minion the father, John A., was born in the latter 
part of the last centur3^ He was a man of in- 
domitable will, courage, resolution and practical 
abilitj' and was eminentl}' adapted to the stern re- 
quirements of a new country. Reared in his na- 
tive State, he married, and some years after re- 
moved with his wife and family to Ohio, locating 
in Seneca County in 1822. The Ohio homestead, 
situated in dense woods, was cleared by the hard}- 
and vigorous settler, and in a few years it had 
yielded to a high state of cultivation. 

John A. Rosenberger was elected Justice of the 
Peace not long after his arrival in Ohio, and held 
the office for many years to the great satisfaction 
of his friends and neighbors, who, when he first 
came to the locality, were far between. His just 
decisions were ever rendered according to law and 



evidence, and his rulings were confirmed by the 
upper courts. He emigrated to Iowa in 1853, and 
settled in Hartford Township, Iowa Count}^ where, 
having ))0ught a large tract of land, he began the 
cultivation of the unbroken prairie. As in Ohio, 
so in Iowa he was acknowledged a leader among 
his fellow-citizens, and after a long career of busy 
usefulness passed away deeply regretted by the 
entire community who surrounded him. He died 
July 11, 1876, at eighty-three years of age. His 
wife survived him until the following October, 
dying upon the 3d of the month. They were both 
members of the Methodist Protestant Church and 
sincere Christians, ever aiding in the good work 
of their locality. Twelve children once gathered 
about the fireside of the old pioneer, and of the 
sons and daughters three survive, our subject 
being the eldest of those now living. 

Anthony Rosenberger received his education in 
a little log schoolhouse, whose seats and desks 
of primitive slabs were tlie rude furnishings of- 
fered for the accommodation of scholars who braved 
the wintry storms, many times, like our subject, 
walking three miles each way to receive the cov- 
eted and precious instruction nowhere else obtain- 
able. Mr. Rosenberger was onlj' four 3'ears old 
when his parents removed to Ohio, but, as soon as 
his strength would permit, he assisted in clearing 
the land of the heavy timber and at a tender age 
began the labor of life. 

Having attained to early manhood, our subject 
married and located upon a farm in Seneca Count}'. 
Later, removing to Iowa, he made his home where 
he yet resides, and where his father had a few 
years previously purchased of the Government 
six hundred acres of land. Buying his present 
homestead of his father, Anthony Rosenberger 
set himself with a resolute will to the improve- 
ment of the wild prairie land. A log house for 
the acommodation of his family was his first care, 
and he then began the cultivation of the soil. With 
patient ox- teams the farmer turned the hitherto 
unbroken sod, the fertile soil afterward am])ly re- 
paying for time and labor exjjended. In those 
early days the deer were yet to be frequently seen 
in large droves, and wild game in great variety 
was abundant. The wife, who shared for nearly 



674 



PORTRAIT AND BlOGRARHlCAL RECORJt). 



half a century the joys and sorrows of our sub- 
ject, and to whom he was united in 1840, was 
Miss Elizabeth ShauU, who died May 19, 1889. 
She was from childhood a member of the Meth- 
odist Protestant Church and a devoted Christian 
woman, and the beloved mother of eight children. 
The sons and daughters of our subject are Rufus 
William, George R., Martin, Ellen, John E., Silas, 
Emer (deceased) and Ann. The living children 
are widely known and highly respected citizens, 
occupying positions of influence and usefulness. 
His second marriage occurred July 21, 1892, when 
Miss Sarah V. Shaull became his wife. The home- 
stead of one hundred and sixty acres is one of 
the most valuable pieces of farming property in 
this section of the county. Aside from the tilling 
of the soil, Mr. Rosenberger has profitablj' de- 
voted himself to stock-raising, giving special at- 
tention to handling hogs, and for some years has 
prosperous!}' engaged in threshing. Politically, 
our subject is a stalwart Republican, and, while 
never an office-seeker, has ever taken an active 
interest in both local and national issues, and, pos- 
sessing the esteem of his friends and acquaintances, 
is regarded as a true and public-spirited citizen. 






kARIlMER DOUGLAS, an energetic and suc- 
cessful general agriculturist residing upon 
section 26, Graham Township, Johnson 
County, Iowa, has tilled the fertile soil of the 
State for more than forty 3'ears, and reaping an- 
nually a bounteous harvest from his farm of three 
hundred and forty acres, has gained a comfortable 
competence, and is well known as a substantial citi- 
zen of wide practical experience and of sterling 
integrity of character. Our subject was born in 
Butler County, Pa., February 16, 1830, and was 
the son of AVilliam and Mary (Brown) Douglas, 
who, emigrating to Iowa in 1852, were among the 
early agriculturists of Scott Township, Johnson 
County. William Douglas was of Scotch ancestry, 
and was born April 1, 1803. His wife was a na- 



tive Pennsjivanian and a few months her hus- 
band's junior, having been born January 11, 1804. 
Father Douglas lived but a few years after leaving 
the Quaker State, and passed away November 9, 
1859, deeply regretted by all who knew him. He 
was an upright man, a kind friend and an ex- 
cellent citizen. His wife survived him until Sep- 
tember 14, 1891, having then been a widow for 
over thirty years. 

Our subject was educated in the public schools 
of Butler County, Pa., and had attained his ma- 
jority before he located in Iowa. For some j'ears 
after his arrival in Johnson County, he remained 
in Scott Township, but has long been a permanent 
resident of Graham Township, and largely identi- 
fied with the upbuilding of this part of Johnson 
Countj^ Mr. Dougl.as was married in Iowa City 
March 18, 1865, to Miss Mary Trotter, a daughter 
of Samuel B. Trotter, a native of Ohio, and an 
energetic and enterprising man. His wife, Mrs. 
Martha G. (Sanford) Trotter, was born in the State 
of New York. Mr. and Mrs. Trotter removed 
from Trumbull County, Ohio, to Johnson County, 
Iowa, in the spring of 1839, and were among the 
representative pioneers who faced the privations 
and struggles of life in the frontier Territory of 
Iowa. Mrs. Trotter was one of the first white women 
in Johnson County, and, possessed of courage and 
heroic endurance, was often called upon in those 
primitive days to assist the suffering and needy, 
and was in verity a Mother in Israel to the un- 
fortunates of the land. 

Mrs. Douglas was born in Cedar Township, 
Johnson County, Iowa, April 24, 1841, and was 
reared to womanhood in her birthplace, enjoying 
in her childhood such advantages for an education 
as the district schools afforded. Our subject and 
his estimable wife are the parents of eight living 
children: James, Ella, Mary, Addie, Martie, Frank, 
Nellie and Roberl. Two little ones died in early 
childhood. Mr. and Mrs. Douglas attend the 
Presbyterian Church, and are active in the pro- 
motion of benevolent enterprises. The entire fam- 
ily possess the confidence and esteem of the gen- 
eral public and have a host of old-time friends. 
Mr. Douglas has never been a politician, but has 
with faithful ability given most satisfactory service 



;^4:F^^ 



j^fiUjftg^ 



*=w* 




D. D. PROSSEIR 



Portrait and biographical record. 



Gil 



as Township Trustee. Devoting the best efforts of 
his life to agricultural pursuits, his busy industry 
has been rewarded, and in the coming evening of 
his days he can witii pleasing retrospect compare 
the unbroken prairie which first j'ielded to his 
culture with the golden fields of present summers, 
and in the valuable improvements of the farm, 
the excellent barns, the comfortable and commodi- 
ous family residence behold the fulfillment of the 
ambitions of his early youth. 



]^+^[ 



]lf5^ANIP:L D. PROSSER has the honor of being 
I Jl) the oldest settler now living in Washington 
1}^ Township, Poweshiek Countj', having here 
made his home since 1849. He has been a wit- 
ness of the development of this localitj', and was 
one of the jurymen in the first court ever held in 
the count}^ which convened in a log house. Start- 
ing with a team, wagon and $50 in cash when he 
came here for his sole resources, he has been very 
successful and is numbered among the leading 
farmers and stock-raisers of the township. 

Our subject was born in Pennsj'lvania, August 
30, 1813. His grandfather, who bore the same 
Christian name, was a native of New England and 
of German descent. He was a valiant soldier dur- 
ing the struggles of the Colonists for Independ- 
ence, and in later years drew a pension for his 
services during that stormy period in the history 
of our country. He was a farmer, a stanch Dem- 
ocrat, and a member of the Presbyterian Church, 
in tiie faith of which he died at the extreme old 
age of ninetj'-six. Our subject's father, wiiose 
given name was William, was a native of Vir- 
ginia, and was also an agriculturist. Removing 
from his native State to Pennsylvania about the 
year 1810, he there remained a few years, thence 
going to Richland County, Ohio, where he pur- 
chased Government land and cleared and devel- 
oped a farm in the wilderness. Some years later 
he removed to Brown County, Ind., where he oper- 
ated a farm for about five years, after which he 



settled in Morgan County, 111. In 1849 he came 
to this county, where he resided for a quarter of a 
century. His death occurred July 27, 1874, at 
which time he was ninety-eight years of age. In 
this connection it is worthy of note that our sub- 
ject comes from an extremely long-lived family, 
on both the paternal and maternal sides. The fa- 
ther was in active service during the War of 1812, 
was politically a Democrat, and a member of the 
Christian Church. His wife was before her mar- 
riage Catherine Dempsey, a native of Virginia, 
wlio was left an orphan at a tender age. Her an- 
cestors were natives of the Emerald Isle. She 
reared seven children, of whom our subject was 
the third in order of birth, and at the time of her 
death, in 1861, she had reached the age of eighty- 
eight years. 

Daniel D. Prosser was reared on his father's 
farm and attended the pioneer log schoolhouses of 
Richland County-, Ohio, which were constructed 
with an open fireplace, slab benches, greased-paper 
windows and other furnishings of pioneer days. 
He began for himself upon reaching his majorit3% 
removed with the family to Indiana, and was 
there married on the 18th of June, 1840, to Miss 
Matilda Jenkins, who was born in Morgan Town- 
ship, Monongahela County, Va., June 8, 1821, and 
removed with her parents when sixteen years of 
age to Ripley County, Ind., and several years 
later to Brown County, in the same State. She 
became the mother of ten children, seven of 
whom are living, namely: Thomas J., Catherine, 
Nancy, George, William, Daniel and Matilda. 
Margaret and two infants unnamed are deceased. 

For several years after his marriage, Mr. Prosser 
remained in Brown County, Ind., and. then made 
a settlement in Morgan County, 111., where he re- 
sided for seven years. In April, 1848, with his 
famiij', he went to J.asper County, Iowa, making 
the journey in a wagon. After residing there for 
one season he came to this county, where he en- 
tered Government land. A few Indians vverestill 
in this locality, deer and wolves were plentiful, 
and a few elks were sometimes seen. Our subject 
built a log cabin, and with zeal and undaunted 
energy began the work of improving and develop- 
ing a farm from the wilderness. The nearest mill 



678 



POiiTRAlT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD, 



was eighteen miles distant, on the North and South 
Skunk Rivers. All of the trading had to be done 
at Fella, twenty-two miles southwest of his farm. 
The farm belonging to Mr. Prosser now comprises 
two hundred and twenty acres of land, which he 
has improved liimself. He is engaged in general 
farming, turning his special attention to raising 
stock and grain. He has a neat frame residence 
and good barns and keeps his place in a thrifty 
and careful manner. Though formerly a Demo- 
crat, he is now a member of the People's party. 
For many years he has served as Trustee of his 
township, and lias always been prominently iden- 
tified with everything pertaining to the good and 
development of this county and to the betterment 
of his neighbors. 



-i+***/i 
l****^ 



g^****fc 



/^\-\ E. CLIFFORD, a prosperous and enterpris- 
jl ing general agriculturist and successful 

^^^' stock-raiser, whose fine farm of three hun- 
dred and sixty acres is pleasantly located on 
section 28, Scott Township, Johnson County, Iowa, 
is one of the ablest, most energetic and progress- 
ive citizens in this portion of the State, and, 
widely known, is highly respected by the entire 
community among which his busy life is passed. 
Born in Rensselaer County, N. Y., December 6, 
1836, our subject was about three years of age 
when his parents removed to Oneida County, 
where he was reared upon a farm, attended the 
district school, and at twenty-one years of age 
bade adieu to the home life, then coming to the 
West to look over the field and select an abiding- 
place, where with broader opportunities he might 
the more readily win his upward vvay to assured 
success. After visiting Micliigan, Ohio and Illi- 
nois, Mr. Clifford journeyed to Iowa, where he 
worked out by the month about one year and a- 
half in Johnson County. 

At the expiration of tliis length of time. Octo- 
ber 18, 18G0, our subject was united in marriage 
with Miss Arethusa Ilartsook, a native of Greene 



County, 111., and born January 28, 1842. Imme- 
diately following the wedding, Mr. and Mrs. Clif- 
ford located in Oneida County, N. Y.. where tliey 
resided one year and a-half, then returning to 
Johnson County, Iowa, settled in Union Town- 
ship, making this portion of the State their home 
for the next four years. It was at this period that 
Mr. Clifford purchased his valuable farm, upon 
which he has since constantly continued to reside. 
The homestead is adorned by a fine and commo- 
dious residence, and contains excellent barns and 
outbuildings, and is one of the most attractive 
pieces of farming property in this section of Iowa. 
Unto Mr. and Mis. Clifford has been born a fam- 
il}' of sons and daughters, five of whom are living. 
Belle is the wife of Charles M. IloUingsworth; 
Oneida A. is the wife of Arthur B. Hall; Alice M., 
Edwin C. and Myra A. are the three youngest of 
the family. Charlotte E., a lovely young woman, 
died July 24, 1884, at twenty-three years of age. 
The paternal ancestors of our subject were Ger- 
mans, his great-grandfather, John Clifford, having 
been born in Hesse-Cassel, Germany, where, enlist- 
ing in the German army, he served seven years, 
and during that time was hired out to the Hessians 
and came to America. Having served his seven 
years, he was discharged in the West Indies, and 
then came to Charleston, S. C, and enlisted in 
the American cause, bravely assisting the Col- 
onists in their struggles for independence, and en- 
gaging for five years more in military duty. At 
the close of the Revolutionary War he married an 
American lady, and settled in Rhode Island. 
Christopher A., their son, and the grandfather of 
our subject, was born in Rhode Island, and died in 
Oneida County, N. Y., but at onetime had lived in 
Rensselaer County, N. Y., where the father of our 
subject, Peter C. Clifford, was born. The maternal 
great-grandfather of Mr. Clifford was Maj. Daniel 
Brown, a soldier in the Revolutionary AVar. He 
was a native of New England, and died in Ren- 
sselaer County, where the maternal grandfather, 
Daniel Brown, was born. His daughter, Charlotte 
L., was also a native of Rensselaer County, and 
afterward became the mother of our subject. 

The paternal grandfather of Mrs. Clifford, Henry 
Hartsook, was a native of Pennsylvania, who died 



PORTHAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



67^ 



in Greene County, 111. The father of Mrs. Clif- 
ford, Stephen Hartsook, born within the Quaker 
State, and later removing to Johnson Countj', 
Iowa, where he became widely known as a useful 
and industrious citizen, died, much re.!);retted by all 
who knew him. The maternal great-grandfather 
of Mrs. Clifford was Simon Van Arsdale, who was 
born in Holland, emigrated to America in an early 
day, and locating in Pennsylvania, there founded 
his brancli of the family in the United States. His 
son Simon was the father of Mrs. Clifford 'smother, 
Ellen J. Van Arsdale, who was born in Mercer 
County, Ky. The business of Mr. Clifford's life 
has been mainly confined to the pursuit of agricul- 
ture, and a first-class farmer, practical in his 
methods, intelligent and progressive in his ideas, 
he has made an undoubted success of his vocation. 
Politically, our subject is a strong Democrat, and 
an ardent advocate of the party, and for several 
terms l>eld the official position of Justice of the 
Peace to the great satisfaction of the entire com- 
n)unit3', discharging the duties entrusted to his 
care with excellent judgment and faithful fidel- 
ity. Mr. Clifford is always active in religious 
affairs, and with his wife is a valued member of the 
Presbj terian Church, and together with his family 
has been prominent!}' connected with the social 
and benevolent enterprises of the township. Highly 
respected and esteemed, our subject is among the 
upright and substantial citizens to whom the con- 
tinued prosperity of our country is mainly due. 



i>-^^<i 



= — s— 



^1 AMES S. WILSON is now carrying on the 
old homestead which was entered by his 
fatlier in 1854, and which is situated on 
section 18, Pleasant Valley Township, John- 
son County. The latter was a public-spirited man, 
who took an active interest in everything which 
he thought tended toward the advancement of 
the community in which he resided and the coun- 
try at large. He was patriotic, just and liberal to 
a fault, all of which traits his son has inherited. 



He is, moreover, probably one of the best read 
and most intelligent men to be found in this 
county outside of those who have confined their 
attention entirely to the so-called learned profes- 
sions. 

Thomas W. Wilson, now deceased, who was the 
father of our subject, was a native of New Jersey, 
but was reared to manhood in Philadelphia, where 
he received a liberal education. In that city was 
celebrated his marriage with Miss Catherine 
Sweeney, with whom he came in the spring of 1851 
to Johnson County, where the}' at first made their 
home in Iowa City. In 1858 he located on the 
farm which is now owned and operated by his 
son. He reared a family of six children, only 
one of whom is now a resident of this county. 
His father was a native of England, while his 
wife's father was a native of the Emerald Isle. 
During his long residence in Johnson County Mr. 
Wilson won the esteem and high regard of all 
with whom he was brought in contact. His many 
qualities of manly worth and genuine integrity 
were well known, and won for him golden opin- 
ions from all. 

James S., whose name initiates this sketch, was 
born in Painesville, Ohio, in March, 1840, and 
came with his parents to Iowa when quite young. 
In addition to common-school advantages, he was 
given a course of stud}' in the University at 
Iowa City. In 1884 he married Miss Emma, daugh- 
ter of Samuel Weldy, by whom he has one son, 
James Samuel. Mrs. Wilson is an intelligent and 
accomplished lady, who has a host of friends in 
the township. 

Our subject's farm comprises one hundred and 
sixty acres, which is thoroughly cultivated and 
is a model one in every respect. In 1862 Mr. 
Wilson came bravely to the defense of the Union, 
becoming a member of Company B, Twenty-sec- 
ond Iowa Infantry, and was at once sent to St. 
Louis, whence he proceeded to Holla, in tlie same 
State. Going to West Plains, then to St. Gene- 
yieve, he next took part in the battles of the 
Vicksburg campaign. He was at Petersburg and 
in the Shenandoah Valley, where he saw much 
hard and arduous service under Gen. Phil Sheri- 
dan. He was mustered out at Hamburg, S. C, 



G80 



i'ORTtlAlT AND BlOGRAPMICAL RECOtlt). 



in 1865, after which he at once returned to iiis 
home. He was a faithful and reliable soldier, al- 
waj's to be found at his post of duty and in the 
front ranks of the battle. He is now a member 
of Post No. 8, G. A. R., of Iowa City. 

In his political relations Mr. Wilson is affiliated 
with the Republican party and is one of the lead- 
ing politicians of the county. He has ever taken 
a commendal)le interest in public enterprises and 
is a friend to the cause of education. He has 
been a patron of the best periodicals published in 
the country, and has made it his endeavor to 
keep thoroughly abreast with the times in all de- 
partments of discovery, science and art. 



1^>EV. THOMAS B. HUGHES, the subject 
IWr of our sketch, is a venerated minister of the 
<4i^ Methodist Church, whom to know is to love 
for his gentle, benevolent heart, that is ever 
touched with pity for the sorrowing and forgive- 
ness for the erring. The years of his earthly life 
have been consecrated to his fellow-meu, the needs 
of whose natures he li.as souglit to supply with water 
from the Divine Fountain. Earth lias been bet- 
ter for his presence, and the memory of his life 
will remain long after he has put on immortality 
as encouragement to the faltering, a liope for the 
weary, and an inspiration to all striving after better 
things. Two sons of this gentle. God-fearing man 
have, walking in his footsteps, dedicated them- 
selves to the work of the Master, and the zeal of 
their work, with the nobility of their character, 
gives earnest of still greater results in the future of 
tiieir days. 

Mr. Hughes is Presiding Elder of the Oskaloosa 
District of the Iowa Conference of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church, a quasi-episcoi)al oHice, the du- 
ties of which he discharges with a justice that bears 
the impress of gentle mercy. Our subject was born 
near Charleston, then in Virginia, but now the cap- 
ital of West Virginia, January 20, 1836, being the 
son of Francis T. Hughes, and the grandson 



of Robert Hughes, both natives of Virginia. The 
latter became a pioneer farmer in the Kanawha 
Valley, and achieved quite a fame as a lighter of 
Indians, having had several hand-to-hand en- 
counters with them. He courageously explored the 
unknown and unsettled West, finally settling near 
Gauley Bridge, Va. (now W. Va.), clearing and 
farming a large tract, upon which lie si)ent the re- 
mainder of his days, passing away at the age of 
eight3'-six j'ears. 

The great-grandfather of our subject came from 
Scotland, where his family was an old and respect- 
ed one. The father of our subject was a successful 
and highly respected farmer, who lived near 
Charleston, and died there in March, 1891, aged 
eighty-seven years. The mother of our subject, 
Pha'be (Jones) Hughes, was born in Nicliolas 
County, W. Va., at Summersville, a daughter of 
a farmer who was drowned in the river. Our 
subject's mother died in 1877, at the age of sev- 
enty-five years, having been the mother of six 
children, four of them living. Sarah, Mrs. Odell, is 
living near Charleston; Robert J., a soldier in the 
Ninth West Virginia Regiment throughout the war, 
is living near the old home; Rev. Francis F. was 
a minister of the West Virginia Conference for 
fourteen years prior to his death; James is living 
near the old home; and Samuel died at the age of 
ten. 

Our subject remained on the farm until he was 
fifteen, attending the common schools of his dis- 
trict, and an excellent private school, the teacher 
of which was Prof. Allen B. Smith. Mr. Hughes 
was licensed to preach at tlieearlyage of eighteen, 
and joined the West Virginia Conference at the 
age of twent\'-one, remaining in active connection 
with that body continuously until 1885. His first 
appointment was on Calhoon Circuit, in the county 
of that name, where he spent a year in building up 
the churches; the next 3-ear he was at Ilarrisville, 
passing from that circuit to the Glenvilie Circuit, 
and remaining on the latter two years. He was 
compelled to flee from Spencer Circuit, to which he 
was assigned in 1861, as a detachment of Gov. 
AVise's command came over and destroyed hispai- 
sonage, doing much other damage beside. At 
imminent peril he made his way through the heavy 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



681 



forest to Ritchie County, wliere he had friends, re- 
maining there all the next Conference 3'ear, and 
then was appointed to West Union, spending a 
year there, and thence going to Middlebourne. Ilis 
intense loj^alty to the Union brought on the danger 
he encountered the first year of the war, and he 
was not altogether free from peril while the con- 
flict lasted. 

LeavingMiddlebourne, our subject was assigned 
to Moundsville, where he remained three years. 
After this he was assigned as follows: Tridelphia 
Station, two years; North Street Station, Wheeling, 
three years; Zaue Street, Wheeling, three 3-ears; and 
Cameron, one year. He then was made Presiding 
Elder of Buchanan District, and was reappointed 
four times, after which he was pastor of Chapline 
Street, Wheeling, two years. Following this he 
went to Morgantown, in order to secure school 
privileges for his children, remaining two years; 
was in Parkersburg, two years; and was then 
transferred to Grinnell, Iowa. In the year 1880 
our subject was a delegate from West Virginia to 
the General Conference, which met at Cincinnati, 
and was Chairman of his delegation. Some of the 
very best appointments in the Confei-ence were 
assigned to him, and through his untiring efforts a 
number of new churches were established. Mr. 
Hughes was appointed Presiding Elder of the Os- 
kaloosa District in September, 1890, and has been 
reappointed ever since. The District embraces 
Poweshiek, Jasper and Mahaska Counties, with 
portions of Marion and Keokuk Counties, within 
which are twenty-three charges. 

Our subject has lectured upon Personal Remin- 
iscences of the War to audiences in West Virginia 
and Iowa, and lectured under the auspices of Bluff 
Park Association for two years. Mr. Hughes was 
married in Glennville, W. Va., March 2G, 1861, to 
Miss Louisa, daughter of Mathew Holt, a large 
merchant of Weston, W. Va. By this union there 
have been seven children, six of whom grew to 
maturity, namely: Rev. Mathew S., educated in 
West Virginia University, for three 3'ears a member 
of Iowa M. E. Conference, and now Pastor of Chest- 
nut Street Church, Portland, Me., one of the finest 
appointments in that State; AVilliam F., educated 
at West Virginia University, married, and living at 



Stockton, Cal., a lumber merchant; Rev. Edwin H., 
A. B., A. M., a graduate of Ohio Wesleyan Univer- 
sity and of the Boston School of Theology, who 
was transferred in April, 1892, from Iowa to the 
New England Conference and is stationed at New- 
ton Center, a Boston suburb; Effa B., educated in 
Ohio Wesleyan University-, Nellie and Roy, the 
Last three being at home. Our subject had a Ihril- 
ilng war experience, the publication of which 
would make a most interesting volume. He was 
a Republican until the year 1890, but is now 
a strong advocate of Prohibition, and has been 
President of the Count}' Temperance Alliance 
and a delegate to the State Temperance Associa- 
tion. Mr. Hughes has a handsome residence on 
E.ast Street, in Grinnell, and also has a residence 
in Garrett Counts', Md., near Deer Park, he being 
interested in the Mountain Lake Park Association, 
of which he is an originator. 



-*?^^1 



11^^^ 



.^^jRUMAN S. KITCHEN. One of tlie most 
m^^ brilliant young men in Iowa County, and 
^^r the rising young orator, attorney and poli- 
tician of Williamsburgh,is he whose name stands at 
the head of this brief life record. He was born in 
Warrenton, Va., not far from the city of Wash- 
ington, on December 14, 1868, and is a son of 
George W. and Emma S. (Fairall) Kitchen. Re- 
garding the earl}' history of these families we have 
been able to obtain but little information, more 
than the fact that the father was born in Virginia, 
was a leading man, attorney and influential 
farmer of that Slate, while his mother was a sister 
of tiie Hon. S. H. Fairall, the able Judge of Iowa 
City. 

The early life of our subject was spent much as 
is usual with farmer lads, a part of his time being 
devoted to helping his father in carrying on the 
home farm, while at other times he attended the 
common schoofs. Later we find him a student in 
the Virginia Agricultural and Mechanical College, 
from which he was tjraduated in 1886. In Janu- 



682 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



ary of the following j'ear, believing that the West 
aflforded wider opportunities to a young man pos- 
sessed of an abundant delerrainalion to succeed, a 
good education and native qualities of industry 
and perseverance, lie came to Iowa, and for a while 
was connected with the Iowa City Daily Republi- 
can. In 1888, carr3ing out an intention which he 
had long been cogitating, he entered the law de- 
partment of the Iowa State University, graduating 
therefrom in June, 1890. He was at once admitted 
to the Bar, and entered the oflice of his uncle, 
Judge Fairall, in Iowa City, continuing with him 
until the winter of 1891, when he came to Wil- 
liamsburgh and opened au office on his own account 
for the practice of his chosen profession. He has 
been admitted to practice before the District, Su- 
preme and Federal Courts, and it is no stretch of 
the imagination to say that a wide and useful ca- 
reer is opening before him. He is a meinber of the 
Masons, Knights of Pythias, and the Odd Fellows. 
Like his father before him, Mr. Kitchen is an 
ardent Democrat politically, and in the campaign 
of 1892 was in great demand as a speaker on the 
great questions at issue. As a forcible debater 
and eloquent orator he has few equals and no su- 
periors in this locality. Pleasant and courteous to 
all, he is personally a most agreeable gentleman to 
meet, and by his affable ways has won the friend- 
ship and respect of all his clients and those with 
whom he has come in contact either in a business, 
political or social way. 



]^+^[ 



/^ APT. EUWAKD 15LASIER, a prominent 
[\\ I- and wealthy farmer, is now living a retired 
^^^J life in Williamsburgh, Iowa County. All 
honor is due to the brave veterans of the late war 
who have since done good service in peaceful pur- 
suits ill various walks of life, and have helped to in- 
crease the wealth and prosperitj' of the country 
saved by their valor. -Our subject is one of that 
glorious army that preserved the Union, devot- 
ing some of the best years of his early manhood to 



fighting for the Government under whose flag he 
has spent his entire life. 

The Captain was born in Oneida Countj-, N. Y., 
December 30, 1830, and is the fifth in a family of 
nine children born to Henry and LeFanna (Clark) 
Blasier. In his veins flow German, English and 
Irish blood, his great-grandfather Blasier being a 
German, while the C'larks were Irish, and the Hills, 
ancestors on the maternal side, were of English ex- 
traction and early settlers in Connecticut, the family 
having been identified with the country's history 
long before the Revolutiouai-}' War. On the father's 
side our subject's great-grandfather was an exten- 
sive fur trader on the Hudson until the struggle 
of the Colonists for their independence became im- 
minent,when he returned to Germany, there passing 
the remainder of his life. Grandfather Lawrence 
Blasier was more patriotic than his father had been, 
and he remained to help fight the battles of the 
Revolution, serving his country well and faithfully 
under Washington, and being with him at Valley 
Forge. His maternal grandfather also did valiant 
service for the United States in the AVar of 1812. 

Henry Blasier, the father of our subject, was born 
in Herkimer County, N. Y., in 1802, and was a 
prominent farmer in that State, where the greater 
part of his life was spent. In his declining years 
he came to the West and lived with his children, 
being called from this life at the home of his 
daughter in Lincoln, Neb., in 1885. His wife, who 
was also a native of Oneida County, N. Y., was 
born in 1801, and died in that county in February, 
1853. Of her large family but three are now liv- 
ing, namely: our subject; Henry, who is in the in- 
surance business at Marengo, Iowa, and who served 
in the late war in the Fourth Iowa Cavalry; and a 
sister, Nancy, who resides at Lincoln, Neb., and 
who married a cousin, Squire Blasier. 

Thus briefly we have given the outline of the 
early history of this noted family, but it is of Capt. 
Edward Blasier that we purpose to write more fully. 
As stated above, he was born on a farm and there 
grew to mature years, receiving a very fair educa- 
tion for a farmer's bo}^ at that da3'. He afterward 
attended the AYhitesboro Seminary in New York. 
Soon after leaving this school, he was united in 
marriage with Miss Esther Ilugunine, a most esti- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



683 



mable aud cultured young ladj-, a native of Herki- 
mer County, N. Y.,aud one of a family of fourteen 
children born to Peter and Mar\' Ilugunine. She 
is a direct descendant of the sturdy French-Hugue- 
nots who were so prominent in the early histor\' 
of this country. Soon after his marriage Mr. 
Blaster came "West to find a home for himself and 
his bride on the then wild prairies of Iowa. In 
1855 they settled on a farm twenty-five miles west 
of Iowa City, and about five miles from the present 
town of Williamsburgh, in this count}'. He at once 
set about i?nproving a farm, and had onlj' made a 
thorough start in this direction, wlien the gather- 
ing shadows of war, and the premonitions of the 
coming strife, began to hoVer darkly on the horizon. 
At the first call for arms, Mr. Blasier tendered 
his services to his beloved country, and for some 
time was occupied in raising and drilling a com- 
pany of militia at Williamsburgh. On the 27th of 
August, 1861, we find his name on the rolls of Com- 
pany H, Fourth Iowa Cavalry, as a private in the 
ranks. He was held at Mt. Pleasant until April, 

1862, at the Camp of Instruction at Camp Harlan, 
and was then sent to St. Louis, and soon after to 
RoUa, Mo., to join the command of the late noted 
cavalryman, Gen. Custer. He went through south- 
ern Missouri and Arkansas to Helena, in the last- 
named State, where he remained until the spring of 

1863, serving at post duty. -With Giant's army 
he went to Vicksburg, by way of Grand Gulf and 
Jackson, fighting in the battles of Raymond and 
Fourteen Mile Creek. His regiment occupied the 
outpost during the siege of Vicksburg, being at- 
tached to Sherman's corps, and being under the 
mouth of the rebel guns throughout that entire 
conflict. Soon after this event he took up the line 
of march under Sherman, on his expedition from 
Vicksburg to Jackson, Miss., immediately following 
the surrender of Vicksburg. In December, 1863, 
his regiment veteranized, and it is a fact worthy of 
notice that this was the first regiment from Iowa 
to veteranize, his company being the first one in the 
regiment, and he himself the first man in his com- 
pany, thus making him in reality the first man from 
Iowa to re-enlist. At this time the regiment was 
presented with a fine silk flag by the ladies of Mt. 
Pleasant, Company- H being honored by being 



made the color company of the regiment, and at 
the reorganization of the regiment he was made 
First Sergeant of Company H. In February, 1864, 
he became a member of Sherman's memorable ex- 
pedition, and later was with Gen. Sturgis in East 
Tennessee and with Gen. A. J. Smith. 

]\Ir. Blasier left Memphis, Tenn., in command of 
Company H, Fourth Iowa Cavalr}', on the 2d of 
September, 1864, and in the campaign against Price 
in 1864, crossed the Mississippi River into Arkansas 
and marched west to Brownsville, near Little Rock, 
Ark. On the 18th he moved north under Maj.-Gen. 
Mower through Arkansas and Missouri to Cape 
Girardeau, having had only a slight brush with a 
small body of the enemy, capturing a few prisoners. 
Leaving there Price had moved toward Jefferson 
City, Mo., and our subject and his command moved 
by boat to St. Louis, and thence went to Indepen- 
dence, Mo., where he flrstcame up with Price's rear- 
guard and drove them to the Big Blue, where they 
were found in force behind a breastwork of fallen 
timber. The following is in Mr. Blasier's own lan- 
guage: "We charged and dismounted, carrying 
their works and leaving many of their dead on the 
field. Our lead horses coming up, we mounted aud 
rode in haste, driving the enemy again into line of 
battle which we charged, breaking their lines and 
taking many prisoners. The next day we started 
in pursuit of the retreating enemy and came up 
with him near the Osage River about 2 o'clock a. m. 
on the 25th, after marching fift3'-seven miles with- 
out stopping. The enemy was posted on two high 
hills overlooking the road on the right and left. 
We were ordered to take the hill on the right before 
daylight, which we did. climbing the steep hill, 
holding up by the brush aud pulling our horses 
after us, they keeping up fire. When we reached 
the crest of the hill, the enemy broke from their 
strong position, leaving two cannon and some 
wagons and some horses hitched to the trees. As 
soon as we could reform, we moved out on a trot, 
and found the enemy in line on the open prairie, 
three miles distant from their last stand. We gal- 
loped our horses in line of battle and as the bugles 
sounded a charge, we swept down upon them and 
scattered them like chaff, every horse at full speed 
and every man yelling like a demon. The fruits 



684 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



of this charge were two Brig.-Gens., Marraaduke and 
Cabel, eight guns, and about eight hundred pris- 
oners with their arms. As soon as we could re- 
form, the pursuit was continued and late in the af- 
ternoon the enemjf made another stand, when a 
charge was ordered. When nearing the line of the 
enemy we found them posted behind a deep, im- 
passable gull3', common in that part of Kansas. Here 
tlie subject of tliis sketch captured a rebel Adju- 
tant lone handed and took him to the rear. Our 
howitzers at this time coming up, threw a few 
shots among them and caused them to rapidly break 
to the rear. We followed tlie enemy from there 
to the Arkansas River, forty miles above Ft. Smith, 
where we saw his rear-guard cross the river. F'rom 
there we returned to St. Louis and from there to 
Louisville, Ky. We were then ordered to report 
to Gen. Wilson at Gravelly Spring, and formed a 
part of his command in his expedition through 
Alabama and Georgia. I participated in tlie battle 
of Selma on the 2d of April, 1865, was one of the 
number that made the mounted charge into that 
city, and was one of the charging columns that 
swept through the covered bridge at Columbus, Ga., 
during the dark hours of the night of the 16th of 
April, 1865, which completed our fighting in the 
rear." November 2',), 1864, he was commissioned 
Second Lieutenant of his company, and when Jeff 
Davis, his wife and Alexander Stevens were cap- 
tured, he with fifty of his men was detailed to 
o-uard the depot at the arrival of Davis and his 
party and to see them safel}' escorted from the depot 
to the boat. He received his final discharge at 
Davenport August 24, 1865, having served four 
years lacking two days only. 

The Captain at once returned to his home near 
Williamsburgh, joining his faithful wife,who, while 
he had been fighting the battles for the preserva- 
tion of the Union, had been struggling for broad 
for herself and two little ones and trying to pre- 
serve the little home. Miles from any neighbor, 
she had cared for their stock, had chopped the 
wood which kept them warm, and weeks at a time 
did not see a living soul beside her two children, 
and many times walked rtliles through the deep 
snows to getting tidings from her husband. Veril}-, 
the women of our land deserve great credit for the 



battles they fought on no less illustrious fields than 
did the husbands and fathers. These two children 
are still living. H. E. is a prominent business man 
at Williamsburgh, and the daughter, Fannie E., is 
now the wife of R. A. Howes, who lives on the 
farm formerly carried on by our subject. For ten 
years after leaving the army, Mr. Blasier continued 
to carry on his farm and for the succeeding twelve 
years was in the United States Mail service on the 
Rock Island Railroad, but is now living a retired 
life in his pleasant home in Williamsburgh. He is 
one of the strongest of Republicans, and in 1891 
w.as a candidate for the State Senate from this dis- 
trict, but being a Democratic district he was de- 
feated. His first vote was cast for Fremont and 
he has voted the straight ticket ever since. He is 
an enthusiastic member of the Grand Army of the 
Republic and was at one time Commander of the 
post at Williamsburgh. He is also a Knight Temp- 
lar. 



,psA AMUEL LAWRENCE, a resident of sec- 
^^^^ tion 10, Lincoln Township, Johnson Coun- 
ll\/\Mj tv, was born in Warwickshire, England, 
July 1, 1814,- and was the eldest of eleven 
children, most of whom grew to mature 3-ears. His 
parents were both natives of England. Our sub- 
ject received a common-school education, and at 
the age of twelve years began learning the trade 
of a shoemaker with his father, at which occupa- 
tion he continued until leaving his native land. 

On February 17, 1835, occurred his marriage 
with Miss Harriet Lloyd, by whom he had eight 
children. Six of these lie buried in England, 
while of the two remaining, Henry C. is also now 
deceased. He married Emma Lunnon, and his son, 
Samuel H., is now a well-known farmer of the 
county. He was reared to manhood by his grand- 
father, our subject, who gave him a good educa- 
tion and a portion of the old homestead which he 
is now engaged in cultivating. The other child, 
Harriet, is the wife of John C. Smith, of Anita, 
Iowa. 



¥ 



^■- 





^- 




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



687 



While in England, Mr. Lawrence became inter- 
ested in the Mormon doctrine, and held the office 
of Priest and President of the Community. He 
was afterward elected an Elder, a position he 
held two years after becoming a resident of Amer- 
ica. While in England he was President of the 
Fourth Division of the Church there for the pur- 
pose of distributing books and other exponents of 
their belief. In 1856 Mr. Lawrence crossed the 
Atlantic and came directly to Iowa, where for two 
years he engaged in working at his trade in Iowa 
City. Since that time he has been engaged in 
farming operations. 

About the year 1875 Mr. Lawrence purchased an 
eightj'-acre tract, on which he still resides, and to 
•which he has added adjoining land from time to 
time as his financial resources would permit. His 
property now comprises two hundred and fort3' 
acres, which he has brought under good cultiva- 
tion and has greatly increased in value since he 
became the owner. lu 1888 he was elected .Justice 
of the Peace for Lincoln Township, which oHice he 
has since filled, giving good evidence of his ability, 
honor and upright dealing with his fellow-men. He 
is also President of the Business Committee of the 
township in which he dwells, and in many other 
wa3's has been actively interested and identified 
with all public measures and enterprises. He is a 
firm adherent of the Democratic party in politics. 






^f OSEPH CERNY, County Recorder of John- 
II son Count}', and for thirt3'-eight years a 
y^^h resident of Iowa City, was born in Bohemia, 
(^/' February 20, 1839. His parents, John and 
Rosalia (Brozik) Cernj', left their native land on 
December 24, 1854, and arrived at their destina- 
tion. New York City, several weeks later, coming 
direct to Iowa City, where the father commenced 
working at his trade, that of a carpenter. For 
many j-ears he was one of the most industrious 
and bard-working of men. In 1881 he was accl- 

31 



dentally killed by the giving waj' of a scaffold. 
Our subject's mother is still living, though now 
in her eight^'-fourth year. Her family comprises 
six children, four boys and two girls, of whom 
our subject is the fifth child in order of birth. 
His schooling was largely acquired in his native 
county, and he continued Ins studies until four- 
teen 3'ears of age. 

Coming to America with his parents in 1854, 
Mr. Cerny commenced to work at the carpenter's 
trade, though he had never served a regular ap- 
prenticeship, but was quite hand}' with tools. He 
followed that vocation quite successfull3' for six 
3-ears, after which he worked for two 3'ears in a 
breweiy, and then accepted a position as clerk in a 
dry-goods store, his employers being Haas & Eppel, 
with whom he remained for a like period of time. 
Our subject then embarked in the clothing busi- 
ness in company with Mr. Isense, under the firm 
name of Isense & Cern3', which connection lasted 
for eighteen 3'ears, at the end of which time our 
subject purchased his partner's interest and con- 
tinued in business alone until 1887, when he sold 
out and entered a political career. In 1888 he 
was elected Recorder of Johnson County on the 
Democratic ticket for a terra of two 3'ears, when 
he was again elected and a third time chosen to 
that position in 1892, commencing his third term 
January 1, 1893. He has filled various other re- 
sponsible positions, having been alwax's found a 
faithful and efficient officer. He was City Trustee 
and Alderman from the Third and Fourth Wards, 
having been elected on the Democratic ticket, to 
the support of which part3' he has always given 
his time and interests. 

Mr. Cerny was united in marriage with Miss 
Helen T. Haas, of Iowa Cit3', the date of that event 
being June 14, 1866. Mrs. Cerny is a native of 
this city, where her parents, Francis and Margaret 
Haas, were among the earl3' settlers. By her mar- 
riage she has become the mother of seven children, 
four sons and three daughters: John A., the eldest, 
who is a clerk in a clotliing store; George J., Lewis 
F., Joseph G., Rosa, Ida and Anna. The pleasant 
home of the fainil}' is situated in the Fifth Ward, 
and is the abode of hospitality and good cheer. 
Our subject is a member of Iowa Cit3' Lodge No. 



688 



PORTEAIT AND BIO(JRAPHICAL KECORD 



4, A. F. & A. M., and of Kosciusko Lodge No. 6, 
1. O. O. F., and is also a member of the Ancient 
Order of United Workmen. He is a wortliy citi- 
zen, and one who has made many friends by his 
excellent qu.alities and manly traits of character. 
He has risen from the lowest round in the ladder 
of success to his present position of a secure com- 
petence entirely through his own well-directed ef- 
forts and business methods. He is truly a self- 
made man, and is but another example of the 
many men of this class who have risen to the top, 
taking advantage of the opportunities afforded in 
America for men of ambition and sterling quali- 
ties to succeed. 



iH OHN C. HUNTER, for nearly two-score of 
years an honored residentof Graham Town- 
ship, and intimatel}' associated with the 
growth and progress of Johnson County, 
was born in Baltimore, jMd., January 16, 1826, and 
is the second child in the family of that worthy 
old pioneer citizen, Adam Hunter, who passed 
away after a long life of bus^' usefulness in John- 
son County. Iowa, December 18, 1876. The fa- 
ther of our subject was a self-made man, of native 
ability and earnest purpose. Born in Ireland, he 
early determined to emigrate to the Country of 
Freedom, where he realized there were almost 
limitless opportunities for energetic, industrious 
citizens. Reaching the United States at seventeen 
years of age, he soon obtained employment, and in 
early manhood was united in marriage with the 
mother of our subject. Miss Elizabeth Moi'rison, 
born in York, Pa. The first home of Mr. and Mrs. 
Adam Hunter was in Baltimore, Md., where the 
father engaged in the grocery business. 

AVhen our subject was about six months old his 
parents removed to Trumbull County, Ohio, where 
he w.as reared and there remained until he was 
seventeen years of age, when he went to Wells- 
ville, Columbiaua County, and learned the tanner's 



trade. Having made his home in the latter place 
from 1844 until 1852, our subject decided to 
join his father and various members of the fam- 
ily in the West, and in October, 1853, journeyed 
to I(jwa, locating in Johnson County, and witli his 
wife and one child settled upon a farm in Graliam 
Township, where he at once devoted himself to 
agricultural pursuits, from that time the constant 
avocation of his life. Our subject was united in 
marriage in Columbiana County, Ohio, May 1, 
1851, with Miss Susanna Phillips, a native of 
Columbiana County, and born December 2, 1827. 
The homestead h.as been brightened by the presence 
of intelligent childhood, and of the sons and 
daughters seven are now surviving. William A. is 
the eldest; then follow Thomas B., Mary Eliza- 
beth, Henrietta B., Ida M., Eta M. and Andrew J. 
The second child, Johu G., passed awaj' in boy- 
hood. He was a manly lad and his memory is 
green in the hearts of all who knew him. 

Our subject has taken an active part in local 
politics, and has worthily filled many important 
offices of trust, ably performing the duties devolv- 
ing upon him. The cause of education has ever 
received his earnest attention, and to his deter- 
mined efforts the rapid advancement of many of 
the best interests of Graham Township is mainly 
due. From its very earliest formation he has been 
an ardent advocate of the Republican party, and 
has frequentl}' been a delegate to the county con- 
ventions. In the very early days before the war, 
he was ranked among the old-time Abolitionists. 
Mr. Hunter is a valued member of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church, and has held ofHcial positions 
in that religious organization. He has of late 
years resigned a part of the management of his fine 
farm of two hundred and eighty acres into younger 
hands, but still retains a general oversight of the 
business. The soil, carefully tilled for so many 
years, yields an excellent harvest, the land now 
being under a high state of cultivation. The resi- 
dence, barns and other buildings are all of a sub- 
stantial character, and, combined with the general 
advantages of location, render this homestead one 
of the valuable pieces of farming property, annu- 
ally increasing in estimated worth. Our subject, 
after years of daily care, can now give more lime 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



689 



to the many friends who, like himself, are enter- 
ing the evening of their days. The retrospect of 
his busy life can but give him satisfaction, for 
throughout his entire career he has always dis- 
played the energetic industry- and loyal patriotism 
which have ever distinguished the true American 
citizen. 



■• ■SK$IKI2i£;25— ^ 






,EZIN THOMPSON, for nearly two-score 
'</ years an honored resident of section 125 
Scott Township, Johnson County, Iowa, is 
one of the representative and leading 
agriculturists of the State, and, a citizen of sterling 
integrit.v of character, has worthily occupied a po- 
sition of influence in the home township. Our sub- 
ject is a native of Harrison Cou^tJ^ Ohio, and 
was born upon August 26, 1834. Reared in his 
native count}', he enjoyed the advantages offered 
by the excellent district schools of Ohio, and was 
early trained in the agricultural pursuits upon 
his father's farm, there being taught the active 
principles of industrious thrift and self-reliance. 
His father, John C. Thompson, was born in Red- 
stone, Pa., December 19, 1793, where his parents, 
the paternal grandparents of our subject, made 
their home for some time. Grandfather Bradway 
Thompson afterwards died at a good old age in 
Harrison County, Ohio, whither he had moved in 
1803. The mother of Rezin Thompson, Mrs. Re- 
becca (Carver) Thompson, was utidoubtedly a na- 
tive of North Carolina, born July 15, 1793. The}' 
were married September 28, 1815, in Ohio. The 
ancestors of Mr. Thompson were of Ii-ish,Welsh and 
German descent and emigrated to this country 
early in the eighteenth century. 

John C. Thompson, the father of our subject, 
came to Johnson Count}', Iowa, in 1854, and set- 
tled in Scott Township, where he died June 15, 
1865, his venerable mother, the maternal grand- 
mother of Rezin, surviving her son until the fol- 
lowing year, wiien, in .January, 1866, she peacefully 
passed away in her ninety-seventh year. Fatlier 



Thompson was a member of the Society of Friends 
and, of an earnest, upright, resolute and energetic 
nature, self-reliantly made his way in life, and at- 
tending strictly to his own affairs, gained a com- 
fortable competence and the regard of many sin- 
cere friends. He and his excellent wife were the 
parents of ten children, five sons and five daugh- 
ters. Rezin was the youngest of the large family 
and was about twenty years of age when, in the 
spring of 1854, he made his home in Johnson 
County. 

Our subject has been twice married. He first 
entered into matrimonial bonds in Johnson 
County, February 27, 1862, then being united in 
marriage with Miss Rachel Ann Coffee, a lady of 
worth and ability and a native of Ohio, where slie 
was reared and educated. Unto this union were 
born two daughters and one sou: Mary; Alice, the 
wife of S. E. Albin; and John C. Mrs. Rachel A. 
Thompson died in Scott Townsliip after nearly a 
quarter of a century's companionship with her 
husband, passing away April 13, 1886. 

Tiiree years later, on May 22, 1889, Mr. Thomp- 
son took unto himself in marriage Miss Anna 
Craft, born in St. Clairsville, Belmont County, 
Ohio, January 12, 1838. The wedding occurred 
in Emerson, Jefferson County, Ohio, amid the 
good wishes of many friends. Mrs. Thompson is 
a lady of fine attainments and received a cordial 
welcome to her new home from a large circle of 
the old-time friends of Mr. Thompson, who with 
his wife enjoys the confidence and esteem of all 
who know them. Our subject and his wife are 
members of the Society of Friends and are actively 
interested in the social and benevolent enterprises 
of the township. Mr. Thompson, during his thir- 
ty-eight years' residence in Scott Township, has 
been an important factor in the growth and prog- 
ress of local improvement and, a public-spirited 
and enterprising citizen, has materially assisted in 
the upward growth of Johnson County. Never a 
politician, our subject has ably sustained his views 
and in both local and national elections has done his 
full duty as becomes every true American citizen. 
The valuable homestead of two hundred and thirty- 
nine acres, all under a high state of cultivation and 
finely improved with a handsome residence and 



690 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



commodious barns and other buiidings, is one of 
the most tliriftilj' managed farms in this part of 
the State and annually yields an abundant harv- 
est. 



^^ 



ILLIAM WRAGE is engaged in mixed 
farming on his one hundred and sixty acre 
farm, situated on section 15, Sheridan 
Township, Poweshiek County. He is a native of 
Lockstadt, near Hamburg, Germany, where he re- 
sided until twenty-four years of age, and after ar- 
riving at his majority', went as ship steward on an 
ocean vessel. Formerly, he had worked at farm 
labor a portion of the time, and then gained the 
practical experience which has made him so suc- 
cessful an agriculturist in this community. 

About the year 1879 he crossed the Atlantic, 
landing in New York Citj', where he stayed for 
some time, and then removed to Iowa. For a 
time he engaged in farming in Scott Countj'. He 
then removed to this county, and it was here his 
marriage with Mrs. Anna D. Orcott was celebrated, 
on October 26, 1889. She was a native of Rock 
Island, 111., her first husband being F. L. Orcott, 
by whom she had three children, Helen M., Lewis 
P. and J. R. To our subject and wife has been 
born one child, Vera M. Mrs. Wrage bore the 
maiden name of Anna D. llartzel. Her father, John 
B., a native of Pennsylvania, removed from that 
State to Illinois at an early day, locating in Rock 
Island Count}'. He was a Methodist Episcopal 
minister, and continued to preach for about forty 
years, being one of the pioneer ministers of the 
times. His wife, formerly Phcebe Devinney, also 
of the Keystone State, bore him ten childi-en, three 
sons and seven daughters. Among the number, 
Clark, the eldest, enlisted in the late war, serving 
until its close, and is a resident of Colorado; Mil- 
ton was the second son; Hester is now Mrs. Russell; 
Raehael is the wife of a Mr. Teft; Katie is the wife 
of Duane Nicholson; Mattie was the wife of Hiram 
Taylor, who is now deceased; and Minnie is Mrs. 
Nicholas Wiltemeth. 



Mr. Wrage is a grain and stock farmer, the land 
which he now tills being originally purchased as 
school land at $b an acre by Mr. Orcott, his wife's 
former husband. It has been greatly improved, 
and has year by year increased in value, until it is 
worth at the present fully $50 an acre. Just three 
weeks after the death of Mr. Orcott, their residence 
was consumed by fire, in August, 1887. Mrs. Orcott 
was awakened about two o'clock in the morning 
and was obliged to leave the house, as the flames 
had alreadj' become so fierce and the smoke so 
overpowering. She heroically struggled to rescue 
her sleeping children in the chambers above, and 
managed to save her two sons by climbing up the 
back porch and in at the widow. She handed 
them out, as they were unconscious, and saved 
them, but the daughter, Helen M., was burned to 
death. Mr. Wrage and wife are members of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church in good and regular 
standing, and as regards the question of politics 
he is a firm Prohibitionist. 



^^^ FORGE BROWN, a prominent and success- 
|l[ (-— ful farmer, has reached his present position 
^^^1 of prosperity through his honest industry 
and good management of his business affairs. He 
was born in Somersetshire, England, March 4, 
1837, and is a son of George Brown, a native of 
the same place. Tlie latter's birth occurred March 
8, 1800, and, tl*ough consequently ninety-three 
years of age, he is still engaged in farming in his 
native land. The mother of our subject, who was 
before her marriage Miss Susan Baker, died 
when he was quite young. Of her eight children, 
seven grew to maturity and are still living, five 
sons in Iowa, and two daughters in England. She 
was called from this life on the 24th of March, 
1843, at the age of thirty- four years. She was a 
consistent member of the Church of England, as 
is also our subject's father. The latter was after- 
ward remarried, and reared a family of eight chil- 
dren by this union, one of this group having died 










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RESiDEiXE OF WILLIAM WRAGE, SEC. 15. .^HE.RiDAii TP. PO/./ESHlEK CO. lA. 






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RESIDENCE OF GEORGE BROY. N , 5EC.5. WASHINGTON TP POWESHIEK CO. I A. 



tORTRAlT AKD BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



693 



in infancy. The others are all living, one son and 
two daughters in America, the otlier three sons 
and one daughter in England. 

George Brown was reared to farm life and edu- 
cated in the common schools. In 1855 he em- 
barked on a vessel from the port of Bristol bound 
for America, leaving his native shores May 15. 
He was for three weeks tossed to and fro upon the 
bosom of the Atlantic, and for seventy-two hours 
was in a terrible storm, but finally landed safely 
in America and settled near Kenosha, AVis., where 
he remained nearly two j'ears, working one winter 
in the lumber regions of Michigan. On October 
12, 1857, he first set foot in Washington Township, 
where an uncle and brother of his had entered land. 
Our subject purchased seventy-five acres of laud, 
which had upon it a log cabin and of it a few acres 
had been cleared. March 24, 1861, Mr. Brown 
was united in marriage with Anna A. Howell, a 
native of Somersetshire, England, her birtii iiav- 
ing occurred February 5, 1842. With her parents 
she came to America in 1853, and resided in Ken- 
osha, Wis., for seven years, afterward removing 
to this neighborhood in 1860. Tljeir nine chil- 
dren are all living and are as follows: Susan H., 
now Mrs. A. E. Mead, who was formerly a school 
teacher; Agnes A., now Mrs. George Whitney, 
who is a dressmaker; Frederick G.; Alberta E., a 
successful school teacher; Edwin S., Cornelia L., 
Mabel G., Frank A. and Harry A. 

Mr. Brown and sons are now the owners of four 
hundred and forty-six acres of valuable farm land, 
which is divided into three farms, two of which lie in 
Jasper County. He has made nearly all the improve- 
ments on his home farm, and added forty acres 
to it, and has achieved his success through honest 
hard work. He formerly was obliged to go to 
Iowa City bj' team, a distance of seventy odd 
miles, to dispose of his farm products, and on one 
occasion nearly' froze to death on the great open 
prairie east of Grinnell. He also hauled wheat to 
Ottumwa and Oskaloosa, having to ford several 
large streams on the way. Once while on a trip 
to Oskaloosa, crossing Skunk River with a load of 
wheat in the montli of March, in driving up the 
approach of the bridge, which was submerged by 
water, he drove too near one side and the wheat 



was in great danger of getting wet. He was com- 
pelled to transfer the grain to another wagon, and 
while doing so stood in water waist-deep; a cold 
northwest wind was blowing and ice was forming 
at the time. He was, however, of strong constitu- 
tion and suffered none from exposure. 

Mr. Brown is now engaged in mixed farming, 
raising grain, cattle, hogs and horses. In 1864 he 
erected a neat frame dwelling, and twelve years 
later a substantial barn was built. In 1879 he re- 
modeled his house, which is now a neat, conven- 
ient and commodious dwelling. Our subject cast 
his first vote for Abraham Lincoln in November, 
1860, and has since, with one exception, supported 
the nominees of the Republican party. His wife 
was a successful teacher and is a lady of refine- 
ment and culture. Both she and her husband arc 
widely and favorabl}- known, and have drawn to 
them many warm friends by their worthy qual- 
ities. 



ACOB DURST. Among the German-Amer- 
ican citizens of .Sharon Township, Johnson 
^^^ I I County, Iowa, none is better known for 
^5^^ earnest industry and devotion to duty, as 
well as for the intelligent management of his affairs, 
than he whose name is at the head of this sketch. 
He has been sufficient!}' shrewd to grasp at every 
opportunity offered for the bettering of Iiis finan- 
cial condition, hut has never done so at the 
expense of his self-respect, or by fraudulent 
means. He was born in Rhein, Bavaria, Ger- 
man}', on the 20th of May, 1827, and was named 
for his father, who was born in the same prov- 
ince. The grandfather, Jacob Durst, was a 
tiller of the soil, an occupation he w.as following at 
the time of his death, which occurred at the age of 
thirty-five years. The father of the subject of this 
sketch was brought up to the honorable, useful and 
independent career of the agriculturist and made 
it his life occupation. He died in the land of his 
nativity at the age of eighty-seven years, the wife 
of his youtli and old age being Magdalen Nicloch, 



694 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



who was bom in the same province as himself. 
They became the parents of eight children and 
reared them in the Protestant faith. The mother 
died at the age of eighty-two 3'ears. 

Jacob Durst, the subject of this sketch, was the 
second child born to his parents and, like a major- 
ity of the youths of his country, he was an atten- 
dant at school during his early boyhood, when 
he received his initiatory instruction in the world 
of books. His youth and early manhood were 
devoted to agriculture, and when he had attained 
his twenty-sixth year he left the sheltei- of the pa- 
rental roof and started out on an independent 
career in search of the fickle goddess, Fortune. 
He was married in the land of his birtli in 1853, and 
in 1855, as America had for some time been the 
goal of his ambition, he took passage on a sailing- 
vessel and in about thirt}' days found himself in 
"free America," with the country before him where 
to choose. He chose Johnson County, Iowa, and 
soon became the proud possessor of eighty acres of 
land in Liberty Township, at which time there had 
been but little improvements made on the place. 
On this farm he lived and labored for nine years, at 
the end of which time he sold his place-and bought 
two hundred and forty acres of his present farm 
in 18G4, but one year later sold eighty acres of 
this tract. 

Like all native Germans, he is very energetic and 
thrift}', and has not only made a good living out 
of his farm, but has from time to time increased 
his possessions and is now one of the independent 
and wealthy farmers of his section of the country. 
His walk through life has been one of strict in- 
tegrit}' and honor and very much to his credit, and 
as a natural consequence he numbers his friends by 
the score, and has veiy few, if any, enemies. His 
marriage to Miss Catherine Stall was celebrated in 
1853, her birthplace having been the same as that 
of her husband. He has a comfortable and taste- 
ful home, and the children that have been granted 
to himself and his good wife are as follows: Bar- 
bara (now Mrs. Lackendei), Lena, Charley, Jacob 
and Henry. 

In addition to following the plow Mr. Durst has 
been an extensive raiser of cattle and hogs, which 
he has found to be a profitable source of revenue. 



In 1874 he made a visit to his native land, where 
he spent several months, and he has also been 
quite an extensive traveler throughout the West- 
ern States and Territories. He is an extensive, 
yet intelligent and discriminating, reader, and has 
seen fit to cast his influence on the side of Democ- 
racy. He has held the office of Township Trustee 
for seven years, and has made a faithful, capable 
and satisfactory official. Li regard to religion he 
is a Free-Thin ker. 



ICHARD H. WRAY, County Supervisor 
and a lifetime resident of Madison Town- 
ship, Johnson County, Iowa, is one of the 
J) most able, energetic and enterprising citi- 
zens of this part of the State, and has held with 
faithful efliciency various important positions of 
the township. Elected to his present responsible 
ofHce in 1889, he gave such satisfaction to his 
constituents by his conscientious discharge of the 
duties entrusted to his care that he was in the fall 
of 1892 almost unanimously re-elected. A pros- 
perous agriculturist, he resides upon a fine home- 
stead of three hundred and thirteen acres, which, 
with the exception of thirty acres of fine timber 
land, is under a high state of cultivation and im- 
proved with substantial and commodious build- 
ings. Aside from general agriculture our subject 
profitably engages in stock-raising and has some 
excellent horses, cattle and hogs upon his valuable 
farm. Mr. Wray was born in what is now Jeffer- 
son Township, Johnson County. Iowa, March 25, 
1843, and in less than a year moved to Madison 
Township. He is the son of David Wray, a pioneer 
of the State and one of the first settlers of Johnson 
Count}', locating land in Madison Township when 
wild game was abundant and the Indians were yet 
possessors of most of the land of the State. Building 
a little log house and breaking the land with ox- 
teams, the then young and vigorous settler cour- 
ageously endured the hardships and privations of 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPinCAL RECORD. 



695 



pioneer life until his beloved wife, who had shared 
his sorrows, sickened and died in 1848. 

Tlie mother of our subject was Mis. Maria (Ault) 
Wray, who bore four children, two of whom died 
in infancy. The father married again, his second 
wife having been Miss Eunice Holt, who died some 
years later, and never had offspring. David Wray 
died in the early '70s, being a man of upright life, 
and universally respected. Hard-working and in- 
dustrious, he won his upward way and was success- 
ful, at his death owning a large property. He 
had held official positions, and for many j-earswas 
Assessor of the township, and although often ap- 
proached with a bribe was faithful and steadfast 
to the honest principles which governed him 
tliroughout his life. His son, Richard H., was born 
in the primitive log house and reared upon the 
farm. He attended the little district school, and, 
an ambitious lad, well improved his time, and at 
eighteen years of age enjoyed the benefit of a two- 
years course in the State University at Iowa City. 
Returning home, he then farmed in partnership 
with his father until the death of this parent, when 
he continued in the duties of agriculture alone. 
In December, 1870, our subject was united in mar- 
riage with Miss Eudora Dennis, of Johnson County, 
a daughter of Milton and Jane (White) Dennis, 
early settlers of tlie counts' and people of position 
and influence. 

Immediatel}' succeeding bis marriage, Mr. Wraj' 
settled with his wife upon section 3, Madison 
Township, where he has since constantly resided, 
and where his eight bright and promising children 
were born. Henry A. is the eldest; then fol- 
low Jesse G., Nellie, Charles, Eddie and Freddie 
(twins), George and Beulah. Politically, our sub- 
ject is a strong Democrat and an ardent supporter 
of the party. He has served with efficiency as 
Township Clerk and Assessor, and was elected Jus- 
tice of tlie Peace, but never qualified for the position. 
Esteemed by the "party of the people" as a wise 
counselor, he has been a delegate to county and 
State conventions, and there ably and vigorously 
represented the wishes of his constituents. As 
County Supervisor he is an important factor in 
the advancement of local improvements, and thor- 
oughl}" posted in all matters pertaining to county 



interests, devotes himself to the work in hand 
with earnest and intelligent consideration. Fra- 
ternallj', our subject is a meralter of the Ancient 
Free <fe Accepted Masons, and has ever been promi- 
nent in social and benovolent enterprises. A na- 
tive of Johnson County, he is widely known 
throughout the same, and commands the high re- 
gard and esteem of a host of sincere friends. 



i>-^^-<^^-^- 



■^I'AMES p. hedges, our subject, is a vener- 
able and esteemed citizen of East Lucas 
Township, who lives surrounded by stal- 
wart and worthy sons, who have profited 
by his good teaching and example. He was born 
in Fayette County, Pa., February 27, 1817, being 
the son of Joseph B. Hedges, a native of Berke- 
lej' County, W. Va., who was reared in that State, 
and went to Pennsj'lvania, where he married, d>'ing 
at the earl}' age of twentj'-five. His mother, Eliz- 
abeth (Piper) Hedges, a native of Pennsylvania, 
died at the age of seventy, in Delaware Count}-, 
Iowa, at the home of our subject, having after the 
death of Mr. Hedges married Benjamin Dorsey, 
of West Virginia. 

Our subject is the first and only child of his 
mother, and was reared and educated in his native 
county. He came to Iowa in 1857, locating in 
Delaware County, and remaining there until 1870, 
when he came to Linn County, three and one- 
half miles from Cedar Rapids, where he owned a 
farm of five hundred and sixty-seven acres. Dis- 
posing of this, he came to Johnson County in 
1871, and bought a farm of three hundred and 
forty-three acres, four miles southeast of Iowa 
City, which he still owns. Then, in 1872, he 
bought the farm of one hundred and five acres 
where he now lives. 

Mr. Hedges was married December 22, 1840, to 
Sarah A. Barton, a native of Fa3'ettc County, Pa. 
Her fatlier was a large mill-owner on Redstone 
Creek and a man of prominence in his commu- 
nity. Mr. and Mrs. Hedges are the parents of 



696 



PORTRAIT AND BlOGRArHlCAL RECORD. 



nine children, four daugliters and five sons, viz: 
Joseph, Jane, Arthur, James, William, Charles, 
Araraintha, and Elizabeth D. and Rachel, both de- 
ceased. Mr. Hedges is carrying on the farm with 
the help of his sons. He is a man of activity and 
energy, considering his years. His political record 
is unbroken, his Democracy dating back from the 
beginning of his manhood. He remembers most 
pleasantly the fact that the old hero of New Or- 
leans once bestowed upon him a graceful bow, the 
recollection being the more pleasing in that Gen. 
Jackson was the leader of the part}' he so heartily 
supports. 

An evening spent with our subject would be a 
very profitable one, he having not only a store 
of rich experiences, but he is also a man who has 
read a great deal and thought much. He talks 
well and is never at a loss for an idea or a word. 
Our subject is a kind, considerate, charitable man, 
sociable and hospitable. He is keenly alive to 
the issues of the day and in sj^mpathy with the 
movement of mankind to a better and happier 
estate. His life has been an industrious and econ- 
omical one, and he now enjoys in comparative ease 
the fruits of past labors. 



rf ^ iir n i< ■ 



xp!0 ILMORE ROBBINS, a highly respected citi- 
III I—-, zen, extensive general agriculturist and 
^>^ij( successful stock-raiser and feeder of Chester 
Township, Poweshiek County, Iowa, is widely 
known throughout this part of the State as a large 
land-holder and prosperous tiller of the soil, now 
owning a valuable half-section, desirably located 
and finely improved. Born in AYestmoreland 
County, Pa., our subject was the sixth of the seven 
children of William and Agnes (Sloan) Robbins. 
The father, reared to toil, was an energetic and 
hard-working farmer. The paternal graudfatlier, 
Brintinel Robbins, was an enterprising and am- 
bitious man. He was a native of Connecticut and 
there enjoyed the common advantage of such edu- 
cational instruction as the district schools of those 



early days afforded. A practical farmer of ex- 
tended experience, he also industriously engaged 
in milling, and forwarded to Pittsburgh the prod- 
ucts of his skill, finding in the "smoky city" a 
sure and profitable market for all his mill stuff. 
Gilmore Robbins remained in his birthplace 
throughout his boyhood, and, carefully reared by 
his parents, was trained into habits of industry 
upon his father's farm, and when he could be 
spared from the duties of the old homestead at- 
tended the nearest school of the neighborhood. 

Having attained his majorit}', our subject re- 
solved to make his future home in the broad West, 
and in pursuance of this determination journeyed 
to Mercer County, 111., and shortly after, in the fall 
of 1856, east his first national vote for Bell, who 
ran against Buchanan. Later Mr. Robbins was in 
Cass County, Mich., united in marriage with Miss 
Lucinda J., a daughter of Moses Robbins, and a 
lady of superior intelligence, highly esteemed for 
her worth and ability. With his wife our subject 
returned at once to his home in Mercer County, 
and in Illinois Mr. and Mrs. Robbins continued to 
make their residence for many years. Their union 
was blessed by the birth of two children, sons. 
Moses, the first-born, is a successful farmer of Jasper 
County, Iowa, and William remains with his father 
and aids in the management of the extensive farm. 
After a long-continued residence in Illinois, Mr. 
Robbins finally decided to make a change of lo- 
tion, and in about 1882 removed to Iowa, set- 
tling in Poweshiek County upon his present broad 
acres, which he has largely improved during the 
half-score and more years of occupancy. Thor- 
oughly posted iu all the details of farming life, 
our subject handles the various branches of agri- 
culture with pronounced success. 

Stock-raising and feeding cattle and hogs have 
been profitable ventures in carrying on the large 
farm, and through excellent management and wise 
judgment Mr. Robbins has constantly added to his 
landed jjossessions, which insure him annually a 
bounteous harvest and excellent returns for money 
invested. Politically, our subject is an ardent Re- 
publican and takes an active interest in local and 
national issues. Liberal in his religious views, he 
is not a member of an}' sect or order, but, tolerant 




Anton Geiger. 



I'OllTftAlT Alsrb BIOGKAPmCAL RECORD. 



e9d 



to all, is ever ready to lend a helping hand in be- 
half of the betterment of his fellow-man, and is 
widely known as an honorable, upright citizen of 
sterling integrity of character, progressive and 
public-spirited. Airs. Robbins died April 1, 18G1. 






ji^^RANK X. B. GEIGER, a young, cnterpris- 
'~~ and energetic business man of Iowa 



m 



City, Johnson County, Iowa, is located at 
No. 213 Market Street, where he acts in the capacity 
of agent for the Joseph Schlitz Brewing Compan3% 
of Milwaukee. Mr. Geiger is a native of his present 
home and was born in Iowa City August 20, 1865. 
He is widely known and highly respected as a use- 
ful, law-abiding and progressive citizen, liberally 
aiding in local advancement and enterprise. His 
father, Anton Geiger, was a native of German3', 
and was born near Wurtemberg, and there reared 
and educated. Appreciating the advantages offered 
by the business opportunities of the I'nited .States, 
Father Geiger emigrated to America and early- 
located in Iowa City. A brewer by trade, he soon 
found ready occupation, and in company with 
Mr. Hotz erected tlie Hotz & Geiger Brewery, No. 
213 Market Street, which Mr. Geiger profitably con- 
ducted until his death. Anton Geiger was a promi- 
nent citizen, an upright man, a good friend and 
kind neighbor, and liberal to the poor, and was 
mourned b}' a large circle of friends. 

Our subject was the only sou and was reared in 
his native town, during the days of boj'hood at- 
tending the excellent public schools of Iowa City. 
Desiring a more extended education, he afterward 
enjoyed the advantage of instruction in Quinc^-, 
(111.) College, from which well-known institu- 
tion, after a course of study, he graduated with 
honor in 1880. Now prepared for a business ca- 
reer, he received employment from an uncle in Mus- 
catine, Iowa, and entered at once upon the dail3- 
routine incidental to the life of a book-keeper. 
Ten years later the death of his father obliged him 



to return to Iowa City, where he took ciiarge of 
the property' and began the management of tlie 
estate, which with his i)resent business has fully 
occupied his time. Frank X. B. Geiger and 
Miss Bertiia Dehner were united in marriage Feb- 
ruary 9, 1890, and received tiie best wishes and 
warm congratulations of many sincere friends. 
Mrs. Geiger is the daughter of Joseph Dehner, a 
leading citizen of Johnson County, and a long- 
time resident of Iowa City, where the estimable 
wife of our subject was born July 5, 1868. She is 
an attractive and accomplished lady and received 
a good education in the schools of her birthplace. 
The home of Mr. and Mrs. Geiger has been blessed 
by the presence of a promising little son, named 
in honor of his paternal grandfather Anton, and 
one daughter named Norma Bertha. 

Fraternally, our subject is a valued member of 
Kosciusko Lodge, No. 6, I. O. O. F., and has a 
host of friends within this ancient order, of which 
he is also a popular officer, being Secretaiy of the 
lodge. Mr. Geiger is likewise a member of the 
Hook and Ladder Fire Company- No. 1, and is al- 
waj'S ready for duty. As an ardent Democrat our 
subject is deeply- interested in local and national 
issues and intelligently gives his firm support in 
behalf of the part^' of the people. Financially, he is 
prospered and is not unmindful of those less for- 
tunate than himself, and with his wife is ever ready 
to extend a helping hand in behalf of social and 
benevolent enterprises. Lifetime residents of Iowa 
City, Mr. and Mrs. Geiger here enjoy an extended 
acquaintance, and welcome within their hospitable 
home pleasant social gatherings, which happily 
represent the young and growing democracy of 
the city, now famous for its manly youth and at- 
tractive women. 






Jj^EUBEN WESCO, an enterprising citizen 
and successful general agriculturist and 
prominent stock-raiser of Chester Town- 
i)ship, Poweshiek County, has for many 
changing years been closel}' identified with the 



700 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



iipwai-d growth and rapid progress of this part of 
Iowa. Thf early liome of our subject was in But- 
ler Count>', Ohio, where he was born, attended 
the common schools of his home neighborhood and 
grew up to a vigorous and self-reliant manhood. 
His ancestors were among the first settlers of Le- 
high County, Pa., and were excellent citizens, pru- 
dent, energetic and industrious. The paternal 
grandfather, Henry Wesco, came to Ohio over 
one hundred years ago, and made his home where 
the father of our subject, Jonathan Wesco, was 
born and reared. The family from generation to 
generation were tillers of the soil, and following 
the pursuit of agriculture enjoyed a comfortable 
and independent means of livelihood. When the 
Civil War broke out, Mr. AVesco, then arrived at 
the dignity of manhood and unmarried, bravely 
enlisted in 1862 in Company G, Eighty-third 
Ohio Infantry, Thirteenth Corps. 

Our subject gallantly participated in the decisive 
battles of Arkansas Post and Vicksburg, and served 
in both of the Red River campaigns, and after en- 
gaging in a final figlitat Ft. Blakel}', was honorably 
discharged from military duty in Julj', 1864. In 
1869 Mr. Wesco removed to Iowa, and located in 
Poweshiek County, where he now resides. He was 
married in the near vicinit3' of his present home 
to Miss Nancy J. Wilson, whose father, Alexander 
Wilson, was one of the early and honored pioneer 
settlers of Iowa. Our subject and his good wife 
have been blessed by the birth of three children, 
one son and two daughters: Frank M., Cora B. 
and Carrie D., bright and intelligent young peo- 
ple, who have before them a future rich in promise. 
The homestead, now one of the most valuable 
pieces of farming property in this part of the State, 
contains two hundred and forty acres of cultivated 
land, further improved with excellent and com- 
modious buildings, clearly indicating the indus- 
try and wise management of its owner, who 
from wild prairie land has brought the broad acres 
up to their present productiveness and financial 
value. 

Although devoted mainly to the duties of agri- 
cultural life, Mr. Wesco finds time to give grave 
and earnest consideration to both local and na- 
tional issues, and is now a member of the People's 



party and one of the most active workers in the 
ranks. From his earliest residence in Iowa our 
subject has identified himself with all matters of 
public enterprise and improvement, and was one 
of the efficient promoters of the Farmers' Exchange 
store at Grinnell. Fraternally, Mr. Wesco is con- 
nected with the Ancient Free ife -Accepted Masons, 
and has long been a worthy member of that hon- 
ored order. He is also a member of Gordon Gran- 
ger Post No. 64, G. A. R., of Grinnell, and an at- 
tendant of the pleasant re-unions which vividly 
recall the troublous days of long ago. The same 
spirit of patriotic ardor which then animated our 
subject j'et directs his public course, and he is 
recognized and esteemed bj- a host of friends and 
acquaintances as a citizen of unblemished record 
and sterling integritj' of character, liberal in senti- 
ment, but ever to be found upon the side of right 
and justice. 



(*! MLLIAM MACY, deceased, for many 
\/\l/ y^^i'S * prominent citizen and prosperous 
^^^ agriculturist of Poweshiek County, Iowa, 
and a man of earnest character and sterling integ- 
rity, passed to his rest sincerel}' lamented by the 
entire community, who thoroughl3- appreciated his 
virtues and mourned his death as a public loss. 
Our subject was born in North Carolina in 1799, 
and grew up to maturity in his native State. He 
was second in a family of seven children born unto 
Benedict Macy and his wife. The sons and daugh- 
ters who once gathered in the North Carolina 
homestead were Enoch, our subject, Henry, Na- 
than, Solomon, .Jonathan and Anna. Later in life 
these brothers and sisters removed to Henry Coun- 
ty, Ind. The Macjs of the United States, many of 
whom have occupied high positions in naval, mil- 
itary and civil life, were all originally (in all 
probability) descended from one Thomas Macy, 
who left Scotland in 1600, and settled in Massa- 
chusetts, from which State he was at the time of 



I»0IIT11A1T AKD BIOGIiAtHlCAL RECOWj 



701 



the persecution of the Quakers obliged to flee 
with his wife iu an open boat to Nantucket, sixty 
miles across the channel. 

Our subject was married in North Carolina to 
Miss Phoebe Hiatt, also of the Tar State, and 
together the newly-made husband and wife jour- 
ne3'ed to their future home in Indiana, where they 
settled in 1820. Fourteen children clustered about 
their fireside, all of whom survived to years of ma- 
turity. The sons and daughters were reared in 
Indiana, and it was not until 1857 that William 
Macy located upon section 17, Poweshiek County, 
Iowa, and began the improvement of a farm of 
two hundred acres. He afterward owned a valu- 
able quarter-section of land near Grinncll. He was 
a Quaker, true to his religious convictions, and 
strictly adhered to the faith of his forefathers. 
His good wife was also a (Quaker and a minister of 
that persuasion. 

His descendants are now some of them members 
of various churches, and two or three of the num- 
ber are preachers of the Word. Jason W. Macy, 
the fifth child of our subject, was born in Henry 
County, Ind., in 1827, and in his birthplace re- 
ceived a good education, and was there carefully 
trained by his parents for the responsibilities of 
life. In 1856 he was united in marriage with Miss 
Rhoda Green, by whom he had two children, C'3'n- 
thia A., wife of AVilliam Howerton, of Jasper 
County, Iowa, and Yolney W., now Principal of 
the High School of Astoria, 111., and a graduate of 
the Iowa College at Grinnell. 

By his second wife. Miss Mary J. Gray, to whom 
he was married in 1863, Jason W. Macy has three 
children. Carrie B. is the wife of Cassius C. M. C. 
Mendenhall, the editor of the Signal, of Grinnell; 
Lora W. and Cora B., yet at home, were educated 
at good schools, and the latter, a most accom- 
plished young lady, is a successful teacher. Mr. 
Macy owns the old homestead of two hundred 
acres, formerly the property of his father, and 
which this son now jjrofltably conducts, being 
numbered among the leading agriculturists of this 
part of the State. Politicall}' Jason W. Mac}' is 
a stanch Populist, and an earnest supporter of the 
principles and platform of the "party of reform." 
He is not connected with anv religious denomina- 



tion, but is not a disbeliever in the truths of the 
Gospel. As a man and citizen he is foremost in 
maintaining and promoting the best interests of 
his home locality, and is essentially public-spirited 
and progressive, enjoying the confidence and es- 
teem of a host of friends and well-wishers. 



^^ 



^( OHN BREKSE, our subject, is an old settler 
and well-known farmer and stock-raiser of 
Union Township, Johnson County, Iowa. 
He owns a model farm, whose improve- 
ments and general fine appearance are sufficient 
to excite the envy of everybody — gently rolling, 
well watered and having everything in its proper 
place. Our subject was born in Montgomeiy 
County, North Wales, February 1, 1829, his fa- 
ther, John Breese, being a native of the .same 
county and a farmer by occupation. His mother, 
Mary (Edwards) Breese, a native of the same 
count}' as her husband, had eight children, seven 
daughters and one son, only two of whom are 
now living, our subject and his sister, Susanna, 
the wife of Josiah Edwards, of Putnam, Ohio. 

Our subject, who is the 3'oungest child as well 
as the onlj son, grew up in his native place, 
taking care of himself from his ninth year, hav- 
ing hired out at that age upon a farm for his 
board. He was married in May, 1850, to Mary 
Breese, a native of his county, seven years later 
emigrating to America, settling in Union Town- 
ship, Johnson County. His first employer was Ed 
Tudor, for whom he worked eight 3'ears. He then 
worked for David H. Jones and Hugh Tudor. 
Soon after he bought eighty acres of Edward 
Tudor, Government land, with no improvements, 
and a year after buying he located upon it. At 
one time he owned as much as two hundred and 
eighty acres, but has sold off until now he has 
but one hundred and eighty, all the improve- 
ments having been made by himself. 

Mr. and Mrs. Breese are the parents of five 
children, viz: .John R., a sketch of whom will be 



?0S 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECOttD. 



found on another page of this volume; Edward, 
married to Matilda Reese, living on section 21, 
Union Township; Mary Ann, wife of John M. 
Thomas, living in Union Township; William, mar- 
ried to Ida Garnett, living with his father, and 
has two children, Milford McKiuley and Emeline; 
and Richard, single, at home. Mr. Breese had to 
borrow money with which to come to Iowa, and 
hence was in debt when he settled in Johnson 
County. Two of his children were born in Wales 
and one after his arrival in Union Township. 

Mr. Breese began in Johnson County by work- 
ing by tiie month, and, as may well be supposed, 
saw some pretty hard times before he fairly got 
upon his feet, but by hard work and the practice 
of economy and by good management he has ac- 
quired a snug propertj'. Our subject has positive 
views in politics and has little patience with those 
who veer around with every wind, his record 
being that of a straight Republican. He has served 
acceptably as Road Supervisor and as School Di- 
rector. Mr. Breese is a liberal contributor to the 
Congregational Church, of which he is a member, 
and was once Superintendent of the Sundaj'- 
scbool. His wife dying in July, 1879, he married 
Jane Owens, a native of North Wales. 



H*5"J"{**5' 



,-5"f-!"?-|-. 



■i-***'^® ****F 



ENRY H. PARSONS. Among the honored 
pioneers of Poweshiek Count}' none have 
taken a more prominent part than our sub- 
ject in advancing her best interests. For 
nearly twenty years he has been a resident of Mal- 
com Township, making his home on section 13, 
and though he has passed his eightieth year he is 
still active, his mind being as acute and clear as 
in former years. He was born at Ludlow, near 
Springfield, Mass., September 12, 1812, his parents 
being Benjamin and Betsey (Shepherd) Parsons, 
the former also a native of Massachusetts. He was 
a soldier in the War of 1812, and was killed while 
in the service of the United States. The family is 
doubtless of English descent, and has ever taken a 



leading part in our country's history and progress. 
Our subject's mother was born at Middletown, 
Conn., and was a daughter of a sea-captain, who 
was at one time captured with his whole crew, 
ship and cargo in a foreign city, but was fortunate 
in making friends with the ruler, who allowed 
him to depart in peace. When Henry Parsons was 
about twelve years of age he commenced working 
in a cotton factory, where he continued for about 
ten years, beginning at 81.50 per week, from which 
amount he paid his board. He became an expert 
workman, and toward the end of his engagement 
earned good wages. About 1835 lie commenced 
keeping a livery stable at Jenksville, Mass., which 
occupation he followed in the various points of 
Springfield, Belchertown, Palmer and Thorndyke 
until 1861, carrying on stables in several towns 
at once. 

In 1861 Mr. Parsons sold out his interests in the 
East, and going to the vicinity of Princeton, 111., 
engaged in farming for about twelve years, at the 
same time keeping a livery at Wyanet and Prince- 
ton. The year 1873 witnessed his arrival in Iowa, 
where he located in Marion County, and engaged 
in farming for a short time. The following year he 
purchased his present farm in Malcom Township, 
Poweshiek Count}-, where he still resides. Dur- 
ing his whole life he has been much interested in 
horses, and has in his possession a diploma which 
he received at the first national exhibition of 
thoroughbred American horses, which was held at 
Springfield, Mass., in 1853. He is said to have 
owned more fine horses at one time than any other 
man in America, and was engaged in shipping 
horses to all parts of the country. Among several 
noted horses belonging to him was "Buck," with a 
2:30 record, at a time when there were less than 
half a dozen horses making that time, and "Ca- 
yuga Maid," also quite famous. 

On April 29, 1833, Henry II. Parsons and Lou- 
isa Kingsbury, a native of Springfield, Mass., were 
united in marriage. Her paternal grandfather kept 
an hotel in Boston. They have had a family of 
five children: Jane C, now Mrs. Hills, of Malcom 
Township; Charles 11.; EmmaE., Mrs. Merrick, of 
Chicago; and Delphina, who became the wife of 
T. C. Carroll, and makes her home in Montezuma. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



703 



One child, Isabella, died in infancy. Notwith- 
standing their advanced years the father and 
motlier are still active and industrious, and bid 
fair to live for many years to come. They have 
two living grandchildren and one great-grand- 
child. Mr. Parsons takes a just pride in the fact 
that though he has been a horseman all his life, 
he has never used tobacco in any form. 

We will now take up the historj' of Charles H. 
Parsons, son of our subject, who has lived nearly 
his entire life witii his parents, and is at present in 
partnership with our subject. He was born in 
Jenksville, Mass., September 27, 1836. He re- 
ceived a good education, graduating in 1856 from 
the AVilliston Seminarj' at Eastliampton, Mass., 
and later from Iladley Seminary. In 1860, leav- 
ing home, he went to Wyanet, 111., where he was 
joined b}' his parents the following j^ear. On 
August 10, 1862, he became a member of Company 
C, Ninetj'-third Illinois Infantry, and served un- 
der Gen. Grant in the beginning of the Vicksburg 
campaign, where he was taken sick, and was sent 
to the hospitals at Oxford and Holly S[)rings, 
Miss. He received an honorable discharge JIarch 
5, 1863, at Keokuk, Iowa. The following year he 
worked as a brakeman and fireman on the Chicago, 
Burlington & Quincy Railroad, and in 1869 be- 
came a resident of Marion County, Iowa. 

In October, 1874, Charles Parsons came with his 
parents to Malcom Township, where he now owns 
two hundred and forty acres of the best farm laud 
in Poweshiek County. He lias improved the same 
by enlarging the farm buildings and constructing 
fences. His farm is under a high state of cultiva- 
tion, and lie is considered one of the most intelli- 
gent agriculturists in the county. He has taken 
special pride in raising fine blooded horses, and 
lately has made a specialty of breeding thorough- 
bred Jersey cattle and suppljing the Chicago mar- 
ket with unequaled creamery butter. His held of 
Jersey cattle comprises about one hundred head, 
which are nearly all thoroughbreds, and which is 
considered one of the best herds in the State. 

On the 25th of July, 1861, was celebrated the 
marriage of Charles Parsons and Eliza A., daugh- 
ter of J. K. Barrj-, of Wyanet, III. On October 
1, 1863, the young wife was called to her final 



rest, leaving one child, Scott B., who also departed 
this life, March 1, 1881. Mrs. Parsons was a truly 
lovable and amiable lady, one who numbered a 
liost of friends, who esteemed her highly for her 
sweet womanhood. In politics, Mr. Parsons is a 
Republican, has served as Township Trustee, and 
has filled other local offices acceptably. He is a 
member of the Farmers' Alliance, of the Grand 
Army of the Republic, the Ancient Free & Ac- 
cepted Masons and of the Knights of Pythias. 



I^AVID A. EDWARDS, an honored citizen 
I Jl) and prosperous agriculturist, located upon 
J#^ section 31, Oxford Township, Johnson 
County, has for the past quarter of a century been 
actively identified with the growing interests of 
his home locality, and as Road Supervisor, ener- 
geticall^' superintending the care of the highwaj'S, 
for many years contributed materially to the com- 
fort of his fellow-townsmen and the general pub- 
lic. A true friend of educational advancement, 
he has been a faithful and most efficient worker 
upon the School Board, and, for a full score of 
years a Director, has labored to bring tlie schools 
of the township up to a high standard of sciiolar- 
sliip and instruction. Our subject is a native of 
South Wales and was born in the year 1828. His 
father, Lewis Edwards, was also a Welshman, and 
at an advanced age, deciding to make America his 
home, located in Kane County, 111., in 1861, being 
then about sixty-eight ^-ears old. The mother, 
Diana (Thomas) Edwards, also a native of AVales, 
emigrated to America, which was endeared to her 
as the home of her Ijeloved son, David A. The 
father survived his arrival in the United States 
many years, passing away at the advanced age of 
eighty-one years. 

Father and Mother Edwards were the parents 
of three daughters and nine sons, our subject 
being the fourth in order of birth. Reared, edu- 
cated and married in his native country, it was in 
1854 that David A. Edwards was married to Miss 



704 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Jane Jones, born in South Wales in 1830. Three 
years later our subject, accompanied by his esti- 
mable wife, crossed the broad Atlantic, and, safely 
landing in 1857, soon settled in Aurora, 111. For 
three years Mr. Edwards worked by the day and 
month, and then, renting land about twelve miles 
from the city, engaged in the pursuit of agricul- 
ture in that locality until 1868, when, with his 
family, he removed to his present home in John- 
son County. The homestead, now under a high 
state of cultivation and finely improved, was then 
wild prairie land with a little rude house, which 
but poorly- accommodated the new-comers. Our 
subject has been financially successful, and the 
thrifty farm of one hundred and sixty acres con- 
tains substantial and commodious barns and out- 
buildings, as well as a neat and most attractive 
country residence. 

Mr. and Mrs. Edwards were the parents of the 
following children, who brightened the home with 
their cheerful presence. Thomas and Elizabeth 
(twins) were both born in the Old Country. John 
is at home; Mary is the wife of Lewis D.Jones, 
of Des Moines; Elizabeth died in Illinois; Charles 
is a business man of St. Paul; Maggie and David A. 
are at home. Our subject and the beloved mother 
gave their sons and daughters ever^' possible op- 
portunity for a good practical education, and care- 
fully training them to habits of useful industry, 
well fitted them to worthily take their places in 
life as true American citizens. 

Mr. Edwards is a Republican and has ever been 
devoted to the interests of the party of reform 
and progress. He is a member of the Welsh 
Church and has long been a Deacon of that re- 
ligious organization, liberally aiding in the pro- 
motion of its good work. A self-reliant man of 
sterling integrity of character, thoroughly appre- 
ciating Republican institutions and ever a law- 
abiding citizen, devoted to the betterment and 
elevation of his fellow-men, our subject is a 
worthy representative of that best class of immi- 
gration whose sturdy manhood, upiield by upright 
principles, contributes largely to the upward growth 
and assured prosperity of our great American na- 
tion. A sincere friend and kindly neighbor, ever 
ready to lend a helping hand to those less for- | 



tunate than himself, Mr. Edwards has long com- 
manded the high respect and full confidence of 
the entire community among whom his useful 
life is passed, and to his children will leave the 
rich inheritance of a spotless career, untarnished 
by one dishonest act. 



**^^' ^ I@'@@l ^ 1^^ 



T. TURNER, a retired capitalist, who 
makes his home at No. 12 Bloomington 
Avenue, Iowa Cit}', has long been promi- 
nently identified with the welfare and prog- 
ress of this city. Probably no man does more to 
help a city financially than does the man of active 
business talent, one who is not, however, mak- 
ing it his chief end and aim in life to acquire a 
fortune for himself, but one who at the same time 
wishes to m.ake a success of the city in which he 
makes his home. Among tlie enterprising men of 
tills class, who are responsible to a large extent for 
the rank this city now takes among the leading 
ones of the State, no one has done more than the 
gentleman whose name heads this sketch. 

Mr. Turner was born in the Keystone State, near 
Bingham, Susquehanna County, in the town of 
Silver Lake. Tiie date of the important event was 
April 6, 1821. His father, Capt. Alminor Turner, 
who was a native of Connecticut, born in 1783, 
sailed for a number of years on the high seas, mak- 
ing trips to the West Indies and South America. 
His home was at Saybrook, Conn., where his death 
occurred in his ninety-fourth 3'ear. He was the 
son of William Turner, who was of P^nglish de- 
scent. The family have for several generations 
taken an important part in New England history, 
and are esteemed among it smost valued citizens. 
Our subject's mother, who was also born in Con- 
necticut, in the town of East Lyme, bore the maiden 
name of Hannah Tubbs. 

Until reaching his twentieth ,year, Mr. Turner 
remained with his parents on the farm belonging 
to his father. He received good school privileges 
in his native town, and then for some years him- 



PORTRAIT AND BKDGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



705 



self taught school. He entered the academy in 
Bloom County, taught by Prof. William Gatesi 
D. D., a minister of the Baptist denomination. 
Our subject then attended the academy at Friends- 
ville, as both pupil and teacher in the same, the 
principal of the school being Richard B. Thurston. 
Going to Seneca County, N. Y., Mr Turner en- 
gaged in teaching school near Seneca Falls for 
three terms, and then embarked in the mercantile 
business, in the capacity of clerk, working for one 
firm for three years. He then formed a partner- 
ship with Seabury S. Gould, and together the}' did 
business for seven years, his partner being a prom- 
inent manufacturer of pumps and furnaces. The 
company employed usually as many as one hun- 
dred and fifty men and were quite successful in 
their business undertakings. On the 22d of October 
1857, our subject came to Iowa City, which has 
since been his place of abode. In 1862 he em- 
barked in the hardware, implement and farm-ma- 
chiner}' business, and very successfully carried on 
an extensive trade for twelve years. He then 
sold out his connection with the business, and has 
since turned his attention to different lines. He 
has been much interested in banking business, and 
has been a Director for a number of years in the 
Farmers' Loan and Trust Company, of which he 
was one of the founders in 1880. Two years 
later, or in 1882, Mr. Turner took a trip to Cali- 
fornia, as he desired to see some of the beauties 
and wonders of the West. He traveled extensively 
in a number of the States and Territories, viewing 
the beautiful scenery, and having his health much 
benefited b^' the trip. For the past nineteen win- 
ters he has spent several months in the South, 
mostly in Florida, where he owns a large orange 
orchard, which is located in Lake County-, near 
Jacksonville. This grove is now yielding an 
abundance of fine fruit, and is in a very pictur- 
esque spot, near several beautiful lakes. In the 
latter the sportsman is in his element, for in ad- 
dition to a number of varieties of much-prized 
fish, here are found the famous black bass, which 
are very numerous and weigh from one to thir- 
teen or fourteen pounds. 

In 1850 Mr. Turner and Miss .Jane S. Coleman, 
of Seneca Falls, N. Y., were united in marriage. 



Mrs. Turner is a daughter of J. JM. Coleman, of 
the Empire State, and by her marriage has one son. 
Politicall}', Mr. Turner lias been a Republican for 
many years, though early in life he voted with the 
Democratic party. He was a delegate to the con- 
vention which nominated Martin VanBuren. F'or 
the past fortj' years our worthy subject and his 
good wife have been members of the Presbyterian 
Church, in the work of which denomination they 
have ever taken a zealous part. Mr. Turner pos- 
sesses personal characteristics of affability ,kindliness 
and the courteous manners of the old school, which, 
alas, are too rarely seen in the present day. He is 
one who has overcome the obstacles in his pathwaj' 
and has risen above them, indeed apparentlj- be- 
coming stronger for the conflict. He occupies a 
position which is indeed enviable in the opinion 
of his fellow-citizens and the mauj' friends he has 
gathered around him during the long years of his 
life in Iowa City. After his years of industry and 
well-directed effort, he is now enjo3ing the rest he 
so truly and honestly merited. 



b <■?>[= 



RS. ADALINE GIBSON, an able, energetic 
and enterprising business woman, of wide 
practical experience and excellent judg- 
ment, has for over a score of years been a 
constant resident of Johnson County, Iowa, where 
she owns and successfully conducts a valuable 
farm of one hundred and twenty acres, well located 
upon section 29, Scott Township. F^arnest in 
purpose and resolute in will, and thoroughly un- 
derstanding the duties of agriculture. Mrs. Gibson 
has brought her land up to a high state of cultiva- 
tion, and enjoys annually, as the result of her 
years of care and toil, an abundant harvest. Our 
subject is a native Pennsj'lvanian, .and was born 
in Westmoreland Count}', of the (Quaker Stale, 
March 8, 1832. Her father was Samuel Taylor, a 
useful, industrious and upright citizen of Pennsyl- 
vania, who, spending his entire lifetime in his 
native .Stale, died at a good old age in Weslmore- 



706 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



land County. The mother of Mrs. Gibson, Sarah 
(Black) Tayloi-, was also born in Westmoreland 
County, but surviving her husband, after liis death 
journeyed to tlic broad West, and died in far-off 
Nebraska. 

Mr. and Mrs. Taylor were the parents of nine 
children, Mrs. Gibson being tiie eldest of the fam- 
ily. Our subject was reared in Westmoreland 
County, where she received a good common-school 
education and was early trained to assist in the 
labors of the household. Arriving at maturity a 
bright, intelligent and useful young woman, she 
was married in the Pennsylvania home upon De- 
cember 12, 1855, to Dr. James L. Gibson, who was 
born in Fayette County, Pa., and there reared and 
educated. Having first completed a preparatory 
course, and being thoroughly versed in the higher 
English branches, he began tlie study of medicine, 
graduating with lionor from the medical college 
in Philadelphia. He then located in Greenup 
County, Ky., where he practiced medicine prosi)er- 
ously until his death upon May 6, 1868. Dr. and 
Mrs. Gibson were the parents of five cliildren, and 
after the death of her husband our subject removed 
with her family to AVestmoreland Count}', Pa., 
where she resided eigtiteen months, and then came 
with her children to Johnson County, Iowa, and 
settled upon the farm in Scott Township which 
has since been the family homestead. 

Devoting herself unweariedly to the interests of 
the fatherless little ones entrusted to her tender 
care, Mrs. Gibson has enjoyed the great happiness 
of seeing these sons and daughters grow up to true 
and noble manhood and womanliood. Henry T., 
the eldest of the brothers and sisters, married 
Ellen Thompson. John M. is the husband of MoUie 
Detwiler. Carrie is the wife of Phineas T. Gray, of 
Dunbar, Neb. Mary L. and James L. are yet at 
home. Mrs. Gibson is a member of the Presbj'te- 
rian Church, and takes an active part in the good 
work of that religious organization and is an im- 
portant factor in the social and benevolent 
enterprises of Scott Township. Our subject is an 
ardent advocate of the cause of Temperance, and, a 
valued member of the Woman's Christian Temper- 
ance Union, uses lier influence unweariedly in 
behalf of the betterment of humanity. Mrs. Gibson 



and her family are widely' known as citizens of a 
high order of character and ability, and in both 
social and business circles command the confidence 
and esteem of all who have tlie pleasure of their 
acquaintance. The career of our subject has been 
an honored one, replete with courageous effort, self- 
reliance and self-denial. Giving her children every 
possible advantage for an education, and thor- 
oughly fitting them for the battle of life, she 
can rest content that under God's guiding hand 
" she hath done what she could." 



■^I AMES S. RUTHERFORD, an able and en- 
terprising citizen and long-time resident of 
Chester Township, Poweshiek County, Iowa, 
^^ is one of the leading general agriculturists 
of this part of the State. He is a most successful 
and extensive stock-raiser, handling principally 
Shorthorn cattle, which he breeds upon his fine 
homestead of three hundred and twenty acres, one 
of the most valuable pieces of farming land in 
this locality. Our subject, who is a native of 
Northumberland, England, is of Scotch parentage, 
his fatiier and mother, John and Agnes (Scott) 
Rutherford, having been born in Bonny Scotland, 
from which country they had earlj' emigrated to 
the birthplace of their son, -James S. When our 
subject was but eighteen months old, his parents 
journeyed with their little one across the broad 
Atlantic, and safely landing upon American shores, 
settled in Lawrence County, N. Y., where Mr. 
Rutherford spent the days of his boyhood and at- 
tained to mature age. He received an excellent 
common-school education in the Empire State, and 
was early trained in agricultural duties upon 
his father's farm. The family came to America in 
1832, and later six brothers and one sister were 
added to the group which gathered about the 
hearth of the homestead. 

James S. was the eldest; John died in early 
childhood; Thomas 1. is now a resident of Jeffer- 



# 



M 




■^^ 




^^^^Sp-, 



/■ 



X 



^^^^^/T^^^-^y^iy^^^^ 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



709 



son County, N. Y.; George is a well-known citizen 
of Poweshiek Country, Iowa, and resides in Chester 
Township; William died, unmarried, in Chester 
Township; Robert S. is also of Chester Township; 
Andrew passed away when young; and Margaret 
makes her home in Grinnell. Our subject was lo- 
cated in Canada from 1856 to 1860, and during 
that time was united in marriage with Miss Marga- 
ret Sharp. The young husband and wife soon 
after removed to New York, where they remained 
until they settled in Poweshiek County in 1866. 
Mr. and Mrs. Rutherford have been blessed by the 
birth of six children, five sons and one daughter: 
John S. was the first-born; Thomas D. is yet a 
resident of Lawrence County, N. Y.; W. Arthur 
is still at home; James R,, Agnes B. and George 
W. complete tlie list. Mr. Rutherford purchased 
a part of his present farm immediately upon his 
arrival in Iowa, but he has since added to his land 
from time to time until he now owns a half-section 
of valuable land, mostly under a high state of cul- 
tivation and finely improved with substantial 
barns and an attractive country residence. 

Although interested in general agricultine and 
annually reaping an abundant harvest of cereals, 
our subject has devoted the greater portion of his 
time and care to tiie raising and feeding of live- 
stock, as before mentioned, dealing principally' in 
high-grade Shorthorns. Mr. and Mrs. Ruther- 
ford and their children are members of and devout 
attendants at the Congregational Church, actively 
participating in the good work and aiding in the 
social and benevolent duties of that religious or- 
ganization. Financially prospered in his adopted 
country, our subject is identified with the institu- 
tions and Government of the land of the free, and 
casts his vote with the Reiiublican party, of which 
he has ever been a pronounced and able advocate. 
Thoroughly appreciating the value of an educa- 
tion, Mr. Hutherford gave his children the bestat- 
tainable advantages of instruction their home 
neighborhood afforded, and also encouraging them 
in habits of industrious thrift, has enjoyed the 
happiness of seeing them develop into good and 
useful citizens, well fitted to occupy any place of 
honor to which they may be called, and possessing 
the confidence and respect of all who know them. 

32 



Still hale, hearty and vigorous, our subject, now 
approaching the evening of his age, may with 
pleasure review the record of his upright life, and 
rejoice that he can bequeath to his children the 
remembrance of a career unstained by dishonest 
word or deed. 



x_ 



OBERT DENTON, the subject of our 
sketch, is an old settler of Johnson County, 
IsS \\\ who is living retired from business care at 
Iowa City, after a life of busy activity 
upon the farm. He is a gentleman of fine char- 
acter, of strict integrity and upright life, held in 
high esteem by all who know him. Mr. Denton 
was born in Orange County, N. Y., March 15, 1822, 
being the son of James Denton, a farmer and a na- 
tive of New York. The father was a soldier in 
the AVar of 1812, and finally died at Painesville, 
Ohio, in 1856, at the age of sixty-six. His father, 
of Welsh descent, was also James Denton, a sincere 
patriot and a brave soldier of the Revolutionary 
War. The mother of our subject, Martha (Lewis) 
Denton, was born and reared in Orange County, 
N. Y.; she was of Welsh descent, and died at the age 
of fiftj^-three. She bore her husband eight chil- 
dren, two sons and six daughters, our subject and 
three daughters being the only survivors. The 
latter are: Eliza, of Thompson, Ohio, unmarried; 
Angeline, of the State of Washington, and Olivia, 
wife of Levi Smith, of California. 

Our subject is tlie third child and eldest son, 
and was reared in Orange County, N. Y., until his 
seventh year. He then moved to Cayuga County, 
making his home with his parents up to the date 
of his marriage, October 8, 1845. The maiden name 
of his wife was Abbie AVard, daughter of Abner 
and Mary (Rogers) Ward. Mrs. Denton was born 
at Newark, N. J., leaving there with her parents 
when four 3'ears old for New York State. Her 
parents were natives of New Jersc}', and had thir- 
teen children, all but one of whom grew to ma- 



710 



POxtTRAlT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



tui'itj', there being seven sons and six daughters, 
only tliree of the thirteen being now alive: Alfred, 
who IS living in Wisconsin; Harvey, who is living 
in California, and Mrs. Denton, who is the sixth 
child. Subsequent to his marriage Mr. Denton set- 
tled upon a farm in Cayuga County, and remained 
there until his departure for Johnson County, 
Iowa, in which he located in 1858, in Graham 
Township, buying a farm of eighty acres and liv- 
ing upon it for five years. He then went to what 
is now East Lucas Township and purchased a farm, 
upon which he lived until 1891, when he retired 
and made his home in Iowa City, his place of resi- 
dence up to'lhe present time. 

Mr. and Mrs. Denton are the parents of seven 
children, two daughters and five sons, namely: 
Win field, who is in the grain business at Leaven- 
worth, Kan.; Caroline, wife of L. C. Piatt, of Chi- 
cago; Oliver, who is a member of the firm of Denton 
Bros., grain dealers of Leavenworth, Kan.; Horace, 
who died in 1891, aged thirty-seven years; Harvey, 
who died at the age of six; Mary, who died at the 
age of two; and A. J., the youngest, living on the 
homestead, in East Lucas Township. Our subject 
has done much in the way of buying and selling 
farms, and now owns a farm of two hundred and 
seven acres in P^ast Lucas Township, which he 
greatly improved, and also owns a quarter-section 
in Scott Township, both in Johnson County. He 
was decidedly successful in farming, being one of 
the v ery best in Johnson and has made much money 
in dealing in cattle. In politics, our subject is a 
Republican and stands high in the estimation of 
all classes of people, without reference to politics 
or religion. 



'jf^'ATHER J. C. WHITE is the pastor of St. 
t^fe Patrick's Church at Marengo, Iowa, and 

/1\ is a man of profound erudition and of a 

genial, whole-souled and generous disposition. He 
was born at Paradise, Monroe County, Pa., August 



10, 1855, his father, John B. White, having been 
born on the Isle of Erin. He learned the trade of 
a mason, and when a young man sought a home 
on the free soil of America. After his marriage, 
which occurred at Binghamton, N. Y., he located 
at Paradise, Pa., and in the fall of 1855 became a 
resident of Des Moines, Iowa, where he followed 
his trade and did contracting until theyear 1870, at 
which time he became the owner of a good farm 
in Madison County and followed the honorable, 
independent and healthful life of an agriculturist 
until his death, January 25, 1888. His wife was 
Bridget Lennan,who was also born on the Emerald 
Isle, and who now resides in Pocahontas County, 
Iowa, with her eldest son, James W. She became 
the mother of nine children, eight of whom are 
living, and all reside in Pocahontas County, Iowa, 
with the exception of the subject of this sketch 
and Dr. M. W.White, who was graduated from the 
Kentucky School of Medicine at Louisville, and 
from the medical department of the University of 
Pennsylvania, and is now chief resident physician 
of the Polj'clinic Hospital College, of Philadelphia. 
Father J. C. White was reared in the city of 
Des Moines and was educated in the public and 
parochial schools, after which he was graduated 
from the city High School. After teaching 
school for some time he began following the call- 
ing of a carpenter, architect and builder in Des 
Moines, being under the able direction of Capt. 
F. S. Whiting for three years. He then entered 
St. Joseph's College at Dubuque, Iowa, which he 
attended five years, during which time he finished 
the classical course, and for a j'ear succeeding at- 
tended the Jesuit College of St. Louis, Mo. He 
then entered St. John's College, Stearns County, 
Minn., where he remained two years, the two sub- 
sequent years being spent in a theological semi- 
nary. At the end of that time he entered the 
Grand Seminary, of Montreal, Canada, where he 
completed his theological studies in three years, 
after which' he was ordained a priest of the Cath- 
olic Church in Davenport by Bishop McMuUin, 
October 29, 1882. He was then in Chariton, Lucas 
County, as pastor of St. Mary's Church for twenty 
months, and during that time he established and 
organized the congregation at Osceola, purchasing 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



the property and raising the money for a new 
church. In July, 1884, he was appointed to his 
present pastorate, since which time he has organ- 
ized the St. Mary's congregation in Williamsburgh, 
comprising fifty franilies, and in tlie fall of 1890 he 
built the church at that place. The congregation 
over which Fatiier AVliite presides in Marengo has 
been establisiied man}- j'ears and includes the 
members of some city families. Tiiey have a 
very beautiful and well-appointed church, and 
Father White has a pleasant residence, which has 
been improved and repaired since his locating here, 
he having paid out for improvements and debts 
about $9,000. He is in full sympathy with the 
members of his church, with whom he is very pop- 
ular, and he is highly respected by all classes, and 
is evidentU' deeply interested in the )ioble work 
in which he is engaged. 






■^llOHN T. STANLEY, an honored pioneer of 
Poweshiek County-, Iowa, and for many 
3'ears a prominent resident of Sugar Creek 
Township, where he held important posi- 
tions of official trust, passed to his rest mourned 
by his family and lamented by the friends and 
neighbors among whom he had spent the latter 
years of his useful and upright life. He was a 
man of sterling integrity of character and was ever 
faithful to the public duties reposed in him. Our 
subject was born in Campbell County, Va., in 1806. 
The paternal grandfather, by name John Stanley, 
served with gallant courage in the War of the 
Revolution and bravclj' faced the enem}' at Val- 
ley Forge. He afterward managed his large plan- 
tation in Virginia and was an extensive slave- 
holder, owning many negroes. His son William, 
the father of our subject, was also a planter of the 
Old Dominion, and was likewise a cooper by trade. 
John T., our subject, attained to maturity in 
his native State, and there married Miss Mary 
Baber, a resident of the State. In 183.3 the husband 
and wife journeyed to Ohio, where they made 



m 



their home and were blessed by the birth of eight 
intelligent children, seven of whom survived their 
childhood, one little one passing away in infanc.y. 
Martha J., the eldest, has been twice mariied. 
Her first husband w.as Frank Friend, and she is 
now the wife of Levi McDowell, of New Sharon; 
Julia A. is the wife of John Baker: Mary married 
John English, now a resident of Sugar Creek 
Township; John H. was the fourth child; James 
F. now lives in Mahaska County; Granville M. 
died at Santa Fe, N. M., in 1882; and L. Marion is 
a citizen of Sugar Creek Township. In 1851 our 
subject finally removed to Iowa and located in 
Poweshiek County, where he took a claim of one 
hundred and sixty acres from the Government, 
to which he afterward added eighty acres of school 
land and energetically entered into the improve- 
ment and cultivation of his farm, which he in time 
brought up to a high .state of cultivation. He was 
an earnest and hard-working man, and had indus- 
triously cleared over two hundred acres of land in 
Ohio before he journeyed to the broader West. 
Throughout his life a consistent Christian, he was 
politically a Democrat, and was ever interested 
in local and national events, giving to all public 
matters thoughtful and serious consideration. 

John IL, the eldest son of our subject, is a na- 
tive of Miami County, Ohio, and was born in 1838, 
being but a lad of about thirteen when he came 
with his parents to Poweshiek County, and for 
the five succeeding years had no opportunities to 
attend school. When twenty-two years of age, 
in 1860, John H. Stanley was united in marriage 
with Miss Cornelia Reed, a native of Indiana, and 
a most estimable lady. Mr. and Mrs. Stanle}- be- 
gan life modestly, sellling upon forty acres, which 
the husband by good management later increased 
to eighty, and by patient work brought the land 
up to a high and most profitable state of cultiva- 
tion. Our subject and his wife reared to malurity 
six of the seven children born unto Ihem. Charles 
is a prominent resident of Poweshiek County; 
Mary is the wife of John Stillwell; Emma married 
David Miller; Robert is at home; Ella is the wife 
of Andrew Wendall, of New Sharon; Minnie is the 
youngest daughter. For some j-ears Mr. Stanley 
has served as Secretary of the School Board, and 



712 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD, 



has held with honor and ettieiency other offices of 
the town. He has always been a pronounced 
friend and advocate of the free schools, and is a 
firm believer in a broad educational advanceiTicnt. 
Fraternally he is a member of the Independent 
Order of Odd Fellows, and [)olitically, affiliates 
with the Democrats, being an ardent supporter of 
the principles promulgated by the immortal Thomas 
Jefferson, who founded the platform of true Dem- 
ocracy upon the invincible laws of right and 
justice. 



^fjOSEPH RAYNER, a prominent old resident 
of Fremont Township, Johnson County, 
^^r^, Iowa, comes of English stock, for in York- 
^^^/y shire, England, he first saw the light Janu- 
ary 8, 1812, and in his native shire he grew to 
manhood and was liberally educated. He learned 
the trade of a shoemaker when a young man and 
followed that occupation for many years. He was 
married in his native land, in 1835, to Miss Eliza- 
beth Raw, and to them a family of six children 
was given: Mary, who died in America unmar- 
ried; Joseph; Elizabeth, who became the wife of J. 
D. Musser; William, Frank and George. Early in 
the '50s, Mr. Rayner came to America by himself, 
and spent one winter in Pennsylvania, but the fol- 
lowing spring came West and liking the appearance 
of the country in Johnson Count}^ decided to here 
make his future home and took up a farm of one 
hundred and twenty' acres, to which he later 
added forty acres and on which he has since 
made his home. After a residence of eighteen 
months in the United States, he sent for his family, 
who joined him at Iowa City, and since that time 
he has been actively engaged in cultivating the 
soil and is with reason considered one of the sub- 
stantial agriculturists of Johnson County-. Owing 
to advancing 3'ears, he has been resting from the 
burden and heat of the day for some time past, his 
many years of arduous labor in clearing and im- 
proving his land having at last told on his nat- 



urally strong constitution. He has always affiliated 
with the Democratic party and he and his wife are 
members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. For 
about twenty years he was engaged in buying and 
shipping live-stock and grain. 

The eldest son, Joseph Rajner, was born in 
Y''oi'kshire, England, in 1840, and coming as he did 
to America when quite young, all the knowledge 
he has obtained of farming has been acquired in 
the land of his adoption, and to this work his at- 
tention has always been given. He pursued his 
studies in the common schools of this county dur- 
ing the winter months, and when he reached his 
majorit3' he began to do for himself, and in the 
month of March, 1864, united his fortunes with 
those of Miss Jemima J., daughter of John B. Mus- 
ser, soon after which he located on the farm on 
which he now resides, on section 2, where he owns 
three hundred acres of land, a small amount of 
which is on section 1, This fine piece of property 
has been gained by Mr. Rayner's own thrift, far- 
siglitedness and industry, with the valuable assist- 
ance and advice of his intelligent and energetic 
wife. Considerable attention has been given to 
the raising of cattle and hogs, especial attention 
being given to the raising and feeding of the 
former, which branch of agriculture has netted Mr. 
Rayner large sums of luonej'. Mr. Ra.yner was for 
many years allied with the Democratic party, but 
for a long time past he has been a strong Prohibi- 
tionist and casts his vote in accordance with his 
convictions. 

To his union a family of nine children was 
given: Christopher, who is attending college; 
Elizabeth, who is the wife of Alva Hiukley; 
Alice, who is deceased; Sarah and Jennie, who are 
at home; Joseph, deceased; one that died in in- 
fancy; Gertie, deceased; and Clara. Mr. Rayner 
and his family are worthy members of the Method- 
ist Episcopal Church, but Mrs. Rayner is a mem- 
ber of the Church of God. Perhaps it is not to be 
so much wondered at that Mr. Rayner is possessed 
of such progressive ideas and tendencies regarding 
the management and conduct of his farm, when it 
is remembered that he obtained his knowledge of 
the details of tlie calling under the wise instruc- 
tion of his worthy sire, and no doubt inherited 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RfiCORt). 



?13 



many of his excellent business qualifications from 
liim. That he has succeeded is an assured fact, and 
tliat he is a neat and tlirifty farmer is at once seen 
by a glance over his farm and the buildings with 
wliich it is supplied. 



F. IIOSTfc:TTER. This biographical sketch, 
in brief, is that of a man whose present sub- 
stantial position in life has been reached 
entirely through his own perseverance and 
good judgment, and the facts connected with his 
operation and their results only sliow to what a per- 
son with courage and enlightened views can attain. 
Mr. Ilostetter is one of the oldest settlers of Iowa 
County and is also numbered among the prominent 
and successful agriculturists of this section. He 
was born in Columbiana Count3', Ohio, June 12, 
1843. His father, whose given name was Charles, 
was a native of the Keystone State, having been 
born in Hanover, Lancaster Count}', April 29, 
1802. The grandfather of our subject, Jacob Hos- 
tetter, was also a native of Pennsylvania, but of 
German descent, and resided in the small town of 
Hanover, where he followed the trade of a jeweler, 
and died at a ripe old age. His wife passed to her 
final rest in Columbiana County, Ohio. 

The father of our subject lived with his parents 
until he reached his eighteenth year, when he went 
to Columbiana County, where he learned the jew- 
eler's trade, and immediately afterward started in 
the business on his own account at New Lisbon, the 
same county. Here he was greatly prospered, and 
finally decided to take unto himself a companion. 
Mr. Hostetter was Secretary of the Sandy and 
Beaver Canal Company for several years, after 
which he purchased land and followed the occupa- 
tion of a farmer. He later went to Cleveland, Ohio, 
where he operated a planing-mill for three years, at 
the end of which time he removed to this county, 
in 18.36. On arriving here he bought one hundred 
and sixty acres of uncultivated land, which now 
forms a part of his landed i)OSsessions. On this 



tract he erected a house and gave his sons entire 
control of the farm, while he went to Marengo Cit}' 
and opened a jewelry store, which he successfully 
managed until the time of his death, August 26, 
1872. In his religious alliliations, Grandfather 
Hostetter was a member of the Lutheran Church, 
and in politics he was in early life a Whig, but 
during his declining 3'ears he was a stanch sup- 
poiter of the Republican party and platform. He 
married .Taiinda II. Hannah, a native of Ohio, who 
bore him seven children, three of whom died in 
infancy. The names of these children were: Albert 
K., Susan A., Madora B., B. Franklin, Olive A., 
Mary A. and Emma. The mother of this family 
died December 4, 1854, at the age of forty-one 
j'ears. She was reared in the Quaker views and 
was a modest, unassuming lady. Her father was 
Benjamin Hannah, who was a native of Virginia, 
but of Scotch extraction, and was born in 1779. 
By occupation he was a farmer and merchant and 
died in Ohio at a good age. 

Our subject came here when eleven years old, 
and was never afterward i)erniitted to attend school, 
with the exception of one term, and that was af- 
forded him in a private institution. However, he 
attended school in Cleveland before coming here, 
hence he received a common-school education. 
At the time Charles Hostetter emigrated to Iowa 
County, the country was but sparsely settled, the 
nearest neighbor being five miles awaj-. He was 
compelled to market liis grain at Iowa City, which 
is thirty-one miles from here, but notwitiistanding 
these disadvantages, Mr. Hostetter worked indus- 
triously and incessantly, thus gaining a good live- 
lihood for himself and family. Young Hostetter 
assisted with the farm work until he was twenty- 
three years old, at which time an important event 
occurred, which changed the current of his life, 
he being united in marriage withJosie E. Wright, 
October 7, 1870. Mrs. Hostetter was born in Mil- 
waukee, Wis., and was reared and educated at 
Fond du Lac. 

Mr. Hostetter purchased his present farm when 
it was raw prairie; on it he has made all the 
modern improvements, and now carries on mixed 
farming, and stock-raising very successfully. His 
estate aggregates two hundred and forty acres of 



714 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECOtlD. 



farm land, which is all in one body, and on which 
has recently been erected a large barn, 48x52 feet 
in dimensions. To our subject and his wife have 
been born four children, namely: Elmer C; Mabel, 
who died at the age of six years; Carrol and May. 
The family are members of the Congregational 
Church. In politics our subject is a Republican, 
has served Cass Township as Clerk and also been 
Secretary of the School Board. He is a prominent 
and efficient citizen, who is respected by all who 
know him. He gets all his mail at Marengo. 



i>-^^<i 



HARLRS CARROLL OAKES, a leading and 
prosperous general agriculturist and suc- 
cessful stock-raiser, whose magnificent 
homestead of seven liundred acres, located upon 
section 9, Oxford Township, Johnson County, Iowa, 
is one of the finest in this part of the State, is 
widely known as a ])ractieal and enterprising man 
of undoubted business ability and sterling integrity 
of character. Our subject is a native of New Eng- 
land and was born in Windham County, Vt., June 
9, 1833. His father, Lovel H. Oakes, was also a 
Vermonter by birth and a native of Athens, but 
was of direct English descent, his parents having 
' early made their home in New England. By trade 
a tanner and shoemaker, he pursued these various 
vocations until at middle age he engaged in farm- 
ing, and was but forty-four years of age when he 
contracted a sudden illness and passed peacefully 
awa}'. Father Oakes was an energetic and indus- 
trious man, respected b}^ all who knew him, and 
was most sincerely mourned by a large circle of old- 
time friends. 

The mother, Miriam Pease, was a native of 
Ashfield, Mass., and was reared and educated in 
the home of her childhood. She survived her 
husband some time, but had only completed her 
three-score j-ears when she too was called away. 
Her home had been blessed by the birth of six 
children, all of whom lived to mature years. The 
three eldest were daughters, and of the three sons. 



our subject was the senior and the fourth child of 
the family in order of birth. Mr. Oakes spent the 
days of early life in his birthplace, and in boyhood 
attended the little school of the district, later 
learning the carpenter's trade. At twenty years 
of age he left home, and after a time found em- 
ployment in Massachusetts, and in the Old Bay 
State was, upon .Tune 18, 1862, united in marriage 
with Miss Caroline Pease, a native of Franklin 
County', Mass., and a most estimable lady, of refine- 
ment and culture. During 1862, our subject re- 
moved to Tolland, Conn., and worked at his trade 
as carpenter for a brief time, but ultimately 
returned to Conway, Franklin County, Mass., where 
he remained busil}' engaged until 1869, when, with 
his wife and family, he journeyed to Iowa and 
located in Johnson County, settling upon section 
11, Oxford Township. There Mr. Oakes purchased 
one hundred and twenty-eight acres of land, and 
without loss of time diligently began needed im- 
provements, erecting a commodious house and barn. 
Aside from the cultivation of the soil and the 
raising of cattle, horses and hogs, he also bought 
stock and profitably shipped the same to Chicago. 
In 1882, our subject located upon his present 
valuable farm, which — with the exception of five 
acres in Monroe Township — is all in Oxford Town- 
ship, and is highly cultivated, annually yielding a 
bounteous harvest. The homestead is one of the 
best stock farms in the State, and, well watered and 
thoroughly drained, presents during the spring and 
summer season a picture most attractive to look 
upon. Two hundred head of cattle and horses, 
fine graded stock, are housed upon the broad acres, 
and in every appointment of the farm thrifty and 
intelligent management is plainly visible. The 
pleasant home of our subject and his estimable 
wife has been blessed by the birth of four children. 
Miriam P. is the wife of George Bower, of Oxford 
Township; Loville D. is the wife of Milton Black, a 
successful agriculturist of Oxford Township; Lovel 
isathome; and Charles E. is attending school. The 
latter, an intelligent young man of excellent abil- 
ity, has a promising future before him. Politically 
Mr. Oakes is a Republican, but has never aspired to 
official promotion, content to do his full duty at 
the polls. He cast his first vote for J. C. Fremont 



PORTRAIT AKD BI0<^RAPH1CAL RECORD, 



715 



and has remained faithful to his political convic- 
tions throughout tlie changing years. For more 
than a score of years associated with tiie upward 
growth and progress of Johnson County, and an 
important factor in public enterprise and improve- 
ment, our subject has long been identified witli the 
best interests of this part of the State, and with his 
wife and entire family in tlieir several homes, 
commands the confidence and esteem of his fellow- 
townsmen and the general public. 



'^! OHN A. GOETZ, President of the Lone Tree 
Savings Bank, makes his home on section 20. 
Pleasant Valley Townsiiip. Johnson County. 
'^^J He has always manifested a commendable 
interest in all public enterprises and is well known 
in this locality as an active and wide-awake busi- 
ness man. Commencing his career as a poor boy 
wlio worked b^' tlie month for small wages, he has 
steadily overcome all difficulties and obstacles 
until he has risen to his present condition of wealth 
and influence. 

Our subject's father, John Goetz, Sr., now de- 
ceased, left his native land, Bavaria, Germany, 
many years ago, and on his arrival in the United 
States first made a settlement in Cincinnati, where 
he remained only a few months. From the Queen 
City he removed in a wagon to Iowa Citv, in this 
State. He settled on a farm in this county, to the 
improvement of which he devoted himself until 
oummoned from this life. The mother of our sub- 
ject bore the maiden name of Rosalia Graflfnauer. 
By her marriage she became the mother of seven 
children, five of whom grew to mature years. Of 
these oursubject is the eldest; John E. is a resident 
of California; Francis is deceased; Joseph J. is a 
farmer in Lincoln Township, and William is de- 
ceased. Two died young, Margaret and Rosalia. 

Our subject's birth occurred in Bavaria in the 
year 1847, and with his parents he came to America. 
He grew to manhood in this county and supple- 
mented his primary education in the Iowa City 



High Schools. In 1871 he married Miss Elizabeth 
Clear and to them were born nine children, sev^en 
of whom are living: Mary, Annie, Antoinetta, 
Louis A., Elizabeth L., Otto and Charles. Those 
deceased are John W. and an infant. The family 
are all members of the Catholic Church, in which 
the}' are active workeis. 

Mr. Goetz is now the owner of more than a sec- 
tion of land, all of which is well improved and 
valuable property. In 1891 he became President 
of the Lone Tree Savings Bank, to which position 
lie was re-elected two years later. For some time 
past he has devoted his attention largely to breed- 
ing Norman horses and fine grades of stock. In 
his various business undertakings he has met with 
signal success and justly ranks among the best- 
agriculturists of the county. In regard to polities 
he is aftiliated with the Democracy. He is an 
advocate of our grand free public school system, 
and all other thoroughly American institutions. 
He is a loyal citizen of his adopted land and has 
never regretted his coming to the New World. 






^^ORDIS C. BURBANK, an energetic and en- 
(I( (— - terprising citizen who prosperously con- 
^^^' ducts his fine farm of three hundred and 
sixty acres, desirably located in Sugar Creek Town- 
ship, is widely known as a representative general 
agriculturist and successful stock-raiser of Powe- 
shiek County, Iowa. Our subject was born in 
Buffalo County, N. Y., in 1835, and was butan in- 
fant when with his parents he jourue^'cd to the 
West and located in Winnebago County, 111., wlie>-e 
he passed the days of his bo}iiood, and in early 
youth attended the district school.*, enjoying the 
educational advantages of the home vicinity. 
When twenty-one years of age Mr. Burbank made 
his home in Fillmore County, Minn., and was there 
united in marriage with Miss Margaret J. Phillips, 
a lady of worth and ability. In the fall of 1870, 
Mr. and Mrs. Burbank removed to Iowa and set- 
tled in Poweshiek County, on the present site of 



7l6 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Ewart, afterward locating where they now reside. 
Their home was blessed by the presence of a lara^e 
family of merry children, six of whom they reared 
to years of maturity. Hanley C. was the eldest- 
born; Edith and Cora E. are deceased; Mollie S. 
is the wife of James Stillwell; Nelson is the fifth 
child; Alma is the wife of L. F. Craver, of Ma- 
haska County; Frank and Vesta, the two j'oung- 
est of the sons and daughters, are yet at iiome. 

The mother of these children passed away 
in 1892, leaving her husband and children to 
mourn their great loss. She was a loving parent 
and a faithful wife, and her memory will long be 
green in the hearts of friends and relatives. The 
parents of our subject, who were among the pio- 
neer settlers of the great West, were well known 
in Winnebago County, 111., and commanded the 
high esteem of all who knew them. The father, 
Eli Burbank, was a native of Pennsylvania, where 
he was reared, and received a fair education in the 
schools of the Quaker State. In early life he mar- 
ried Miss Amanda Grover, born in the State of 
New York, who was a most excellent woman and a 
true helpmate. The four children born unto them 
were: John L., now a resident of Algona, Kossuth 
County, Iowa; Alvira, who married Lorin Cleve- 
land, a resident of Illinois, and died leaving sev- 
eral children; Cordis C, our subject, who was the 
third in order of birth; and Clarissa, who married 
Edward GrifHth in Illinois, and passed away in 
Minnesota, leaving a family. 

The Burbanks have from time immemorial de- 
voted themselves to the pursuit of agriculture, 
and following closely in the steps of his fore- 
fathers our subject has given his time to the till- 
ing of the soil and the raising of the best grades 
of live-stock. Beginning life with a capital of 
good health, hope, energy and a determination to 
succeed, Mr. Burbank has by honest industry and 
good management won his way steadily upward 
and acquired a comfortable competence. He has 
found his time fully occupied with the cares of 
daily life, and has never sought political ofKce, 
but is inteiested in local and national affairs, and 
casts his vote for the Republican candidate, being 
a firm advocate of the principles of the good old 
l)art3'. For nearly one-fourth of a century a con- 



tinual resident of his present locality, our subject 
has during this length of time ever identified him- 
self with the various enterprises and improvements 
of Sugar Creek Township, and is esteemed as a 
substantial and upright citizen of high character 
and excellent business attainments. He and his 
family worthily occupy positions of usefulness 
and influence, and are valued aids in the social 
and benevolent societies and good work of their 
various localities. 



\|^. ARDON A. ALDERMAN, whose finely im- 
Jj] proved homestead of one hundred and sixty 

f^ acres is pleasantl}' located upon section 145 
/ \ Scott Township, .Johnson Count3', Iowa, is 
a thorough and practical farmer, having devoted 
his life to agricultural pursuits and successfully 
won a leading position among the tillers of the 
soil. Mr. Alderman has held various official posi- 
tions of trust in the township, and is widely known 
and highly respected. Our subject was born in 
Ohio, on the Western Reserve, October 10, 1845. 
The Alderman family are of remote English ances- 
try, but the paternal grandfather, Frederick Alder- 
man, and his son Christopher, the father of Par- 
don, were of New England nativity. Grandfather 
Alderman was an energetic and ambitious man and, 
making his home in the West, died in Rock Island 
County, 111. The mother of our subject, Sarah 
Winslow, was a descendant of an old English fam- 
ily, many of whose members have achieved hon- 
orable distinction. She was born in New England, 
but removed to Ohio with her parents, where her 
father died. 

Mr. Alderman remained in his birthplace until 
he was about eight 3'ears of age, when became with 
his parents to Rock Island County, 111., where they 
located until 1858, then settling in Cedar County, 
near Davenport, continuing to make this part of 



PORTUAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



?19 



Iowa their residence for a [)eriod of seven years. 
In 1865, the father and mother, with their family, 
made their home iu Johnson County, where they 
enjoj'ed the esteem and confidence of man^' friends. 
Pardon A. is the eldest of the large family of ten 
sons and daughters, and remained with his parents 
until his marriage, upon Septembers, 1867, when, 
in Cedar County, Iowa, he was united in marriage 
with Miss Marion H. Lincoln, who was born in 
New York, near the town of Ellington, June 20, 
1849. Tlie parents of Mrs. Alderman, Ira and 
Cynthia (Tracy) Lincoln, were honored residents 
of Cedar County, where they located in 1865; 
settling near Demiug they remained in tiiat neigh- 
borhood until tl)e spring of 1868, when they came 
to Johnson County-. Mr. Lincoln was a New Eng- 
lander b}' birth, but with his wife, a native of 
New York, had long been a resident of Crawford 
County, Pa., when he determined to locate in 
Iowa, and in 1865 made tiie journey hitlier. Mr. 
Lincoln died deeply regretted in Scott Township, 
January 16, 1881. Mrs. Lincoln had passed awa\' 
January 1, 1880, her husband surviving her but a 
little more than one year. 

Mrs. Alderman was the eldest of lier parents' 
family' and was educated in the excellent schools 
of her early home. Our subject and his estimable 
wife have been blessed by the birth of three bright 
and intelligent children, Jesse I., Sylvia M. and 
Raymond P., who have received the best possible 
advantages for a thorough English education and 
are well fitted to occupy positions of usefulness 
and honor. The family are active in the promo- 
tion of the good work and benevolent enterprise 
of their localit}-, and possess tlie high regard of all 
who have the pleasure of their acquaintance. The 
homestead, with its commodious and attractive 
buildings and comfortable family residence, is the 
abode of hospitality and the scene of man\' a social 
gathering. Our subject has — while giving his 
time mainly to farming duties — neglected no means 
of keeping himself thoroughly informed on the 
current events of the day, and is numbered among 
the substantial citizens of the United States, to 
whose busy and honest industry and broad intelli- 
gence the Nation owes its rapid progress and envi- 
able place among the nations of the earth. 



fOHN FRY. The resourcefulness of the na- 
tive Ohioan is proverbial. Set him down 
where you will, and if he does not begin 
/ bettering his condition without any unneces- 
sary delay, he will be doing violence to the history 
and traditions of his people, and will be no more 
worthy to be called a son of the Buckeye State. 
The life of the pioneer is a very interesting and 
agreeable theme, and the life history of one who 
has passed through that trying period and has made 
his way to comfort and prosperity through hard- 
ships and privations, is of interest to every reader; 
therefore a sketch of John Fry will be of far more 
than passing interest, for not only is be an Ohioan 
by birtli, but he was also one of the very earliest 
settlers of Johnson County, coming here in 1839. 
He was born in Licking County. Ohio, July 25, 
1820, his father, Jacob Fry, having been born in 
Virginia, of Dutch ancestors. He removed to 
Ohio about 1809, and from there enlisted in the 
AVar of 1812, in which struggle he was a faithful 
and efficient soldier. In the fall of 1839 he came 
to Iowa and purchased some land when it came 
into the market, near what is now known as Frank 
Pierce, but for along lime was known as Fr3'town. 
He developed a fine farm, on which he died in 
1845. He had married Miss Susanna Beckenbaugh, 
a native of Pennsylvania, by whom he became the 
father of a good old-fashioned family of fourteen 
children, nine sons and five daughters. Mrs. Fry 
was called fiom life when about fifty-five j'ears of 
age, both she and her husband being worthy mem- 
bers of the Christian Church, and he was a Demo- 
crat politically. 

John Fry was the ninth of their children, and as 
he grew to manhood on his father's farm he per- 
formed his full share of the manual labor wliich 
fell to the average country youth of his day, and 
was an attendant at the old-time log schoolhousc, 
so well known to the old inhabitants of the county, 
where lie obtained sufficient education to fit him 
for the practical duties of life. He can distinctly 
remember having seen children go to school dur- 
ing the winter months barefooted, and can also 
remember the journey to this section, although it 
occurred many j'cars ago. They came b}' wagon 
and camped out of night, arriving here in the fall 



?20 



i'ORTRAlT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



of 1839. In tbe summer of the following j-ear he 
and his brother returned to Licking County, Ohio, 
where they remained for some time, then rejoined 
their parents, the journey back occup3'ing three 
weeks. The Frys were the first while people to set- 
tle in the region, which at that time was onl^' peo- 
pled by wild animals, and Indians, who were quite 
numerous. Mr. Fry used to attend their war 
dances on the Ohio River, which was a safe enough 
thing to do, as they were friendl}^ and never made 
any trouble. They often eame to the home of the 
Frys for food and would frequently bring a deer 
in payment, there being large droves of these 
animals here at that time. Mr. Fry has of ten seen 
from eighty to eighty-five in a drove and many of 
them have fallen victims to his skill as a marks- 
man, as well as numerous turkeys. There were 
also bears, but they were not numerous. At first 
they had to do their trading and milling across 
the Mississippi River in Illinois, but later at Mus- 
catine and Davenport. They marketed the most 
of their wheat at Muscatine and made the trip in 
three days, although there were no roads, they 
being compelled to follow Indian trails. The 
streams, of course, had to be forded. 

In 1841 Mr. Fry was married here to Miss Mar- 
garet Harris, who was born in Indiana and came 
to Iowa in 1838, settling with her parents on the 
Iowa River, east of the old Fry farm. To them 
nine children were given, eight of whom attained 
mature years: Jacob, Theodore, Eliza, Cora, Laura 
(deceased), Ida, Silas (deceased), and Pleasant H. 
(deceased). Mrs. Fry died at the age of fifty-two 
years and Mr. Fry took for his second wife Agnes 
M. Seitz, who was born in Pennsylvania in 1856, 
and in 1867 became a resident of .Jackson County, 
Iowa. This union resulted in the birth of seven 
sons: Harry, Fred, Frank, Earl, Leo, George and 
Gerald. After his first marriage, Mr. Fry pur- 
chased one hundred acres of land on Old Man's 
Creek, on which he made his home until 18.51, 
when he sold out and entered one hundred and 
sixtj' acres of land, which comprises a portion of 
his present farm. He added to this purchase as 
his means would admit and at one time was the 
owner of six hundred acres of as fine land as there 
is in Johnson County, but divided four hundred 



acres among his eight eldest children and now has 
but two hundred acres left. He ei-ected a log 
cabin on his farm, but this gave place to a com- 
modious frame rrsidence in 1857, which was re- 
modeled in 1879. He has a large red frame bank 
barn which was built in 1858, but which is still in 
a state of good repair, owing to the excellent at- 
tention which Mr. Fry has given it, .as well as to 
all parts of his farm. During his early days of 
clearing and improving, he found a ready helper 
in his estimable wife, who did all in her power to 
aid him in his efforts to secure a home, and al- 
though their property on starting out in life for 
themselves consisted of one horse, one cow, a sow 
and nine pigs and not $1 in mone3-,they possessed 
the spirit of the hardy and courageous pioneer, 
kept busily' at work and accordingly did not have 
time to sit down and uselessly repine. In time 
their efforts were rewarded and they were in com- 
mand of a comfortable competence — the result of 
their own unwearied toil. Mr. Fry is engaged in 
stock-farming as well as in the raising of the vari- 
ous cereals. He and his wife are members of the 
Christian Church and politically he is a Democrat, 
but he has never aspired to political preferment, 
his time being fully occupied in the proper con- 
duct of his farm. He is of the stuff of which 
model citizens are made and has many warm per- 
sonal friends in the section in which his lot has 
been so long cast. 



ll^~T~$"G 



\||' OHN C. ULUM, a prominent and successful 
agriculturist and stock-raiser of Johnson 
Countj', Iowa, is one of the most extensive 
'^) dealers of livestock in Newport Township, 
and is widely known as an able, energetic and 
thoroughly representative business man, having 
been for many years the chief shipper of the flour- 
ishing town of Solon. His father, the late Josiali 
Ulum, and his mother, Elizabeth Ann (Waters) 
Ulum, were both natives of "Virginia. They came 
from the Old Dominion in a very early day, and 



tOUTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD, 



721 



settled in Licking County, Ohio, where our subject 
was born March 24, 1845. He passed the first ten 
years of iiis life within the limits of his home 
county, and i-eceived primary instruction in the 
district school of the neighborhood before his 
parents, in the fall of 1855, journe3'ed with their 
family to the West, locating in Big firove Town- 
ship, Johnson County, Iowa. 

In this portion of their adopted State the par- 
ents continued to reside until 1869, when they re- 
moved to Lisbon, Linn Countj', where the faithful 
and loving mother died in 1887. The father, 
who survived about five years, passed the remain- 
der of his life chieflj' in the liome of our subject, 
and died highlj' esteemed by all who knew him, 
June 28, 1892. John C, who was the sixth in the 
family' of nine sons and daughters born unto his 
parents, remained with his father and mother until 
March of 1864, when, at nineteen years of age, he 
enlisted in Company H, Twenty-second Iowa 
Infantry. He bravely served until the close 
of the Civil War, when, honorably mustered out 
of militaiy duty, he returned to his home with 
his health very much impaired by the exposures 
and privations experienced upon the field and 
during the long campaign. Our subject actively 
participated in the battles of Cedar Creek and 
Winchester, and was under the gallant Gen. Sheri- 
dan, serving in the Shenandoah Valley, when he 
received a severe wound, from the effects of which 
he has never entirely' recovered. 

After visiting in the home of his parents a few 
months, and having somewhat recuperated, he 
went to Licking County, Ohio, and remained in 
his birthplace for about two j-ears. During this 
period of time Mr. Ulum was, upon December 26, 
1867, united in marriage with Miss Helen M. Hor- 
ton, who was a native of Licking County. The 
succeeding year, 1868, Mr. and Mrs. Ulum made 
their residence in Big Grove Township, Johnson 
Count}', which from that time was their per- 
manent home until 1885, when the family re- 
moved to Newport Township, section 6, which is 
now the location of their pleasant homestead. 
Our subject and his excellent and accomplished 
wife have been blessed by the birth of three 
children. Grant and Lulu still survive, but the 



parents buried one little one in early childhood. 
Mr. and Mrs. Ulum and their son and daughter 
are widely known and occupy leading positions 
of usefulness, being prominent factoi's in social 
and benevolent enterprises and ever ready to aid 
in the good work of their locality. Our subject 
is an honored member of Iowa City Post No. 
8, G. A. R., and since the formation of the Repub- 
lican party one of its strongest adherents. Actively 
interested in local and national issues, he casts his 
influence and vote in behalf of progress and re- 
form, and does his full duty as an earnest, upright 
and public-spirited citizen. 



\Y, AMES J. COATS, a prominent and leading 
citizen and prosperous general agriculturist 
of Hartford Township, Iowa County, Iowa, 
has held with honor various official posi- 
tions in the township, and has with able fidelity 
materially assisted in the promotion of the best 
interests of his home localit}'. Mr. Coats was born 
in Miami County, Oliio, September 20, 1846, and 
is the grandson of James Coats, a veteran of the 
War of 1812. The paternal grandfatiier was of 
German descent, and, a hardy, resolute man, emi- 
grated from Pennsj'lvania to Ohio when ninety 
years of age. The father of our subject, John 
Coats, was born in 1818, and early leaving the 
Quaker State, was among the pioneer settlers of 
Miami County. Ohio. He came to Iowa in 1856, 
and locating in Honey Creek Township, bought 
land at $1.25 per acre and industriously began the 
tilling of the soil, his first care, however, having 
been to build a little log house. He broke his 
land with ox-teams and often supplied the family 
table with venison, the deer being killed by him 
upon his own laud. He was obliged at first to go 
to Cedar Rapids to mill, and remained upon tliis 
farm throughout the changing years until his death 
in 1888. He was an influential and highly re- 
spected citizen, patriotic and progressive. In the 



722 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



fall of 1864 he enlisted in Company B, Twenty- 
eighth Iowa Infantry, and remained in active 
duty nine months, being discliarged from the ser- 
vice in the spring of 1865. 

The mother of our subject, Fannie (Roody) 
Coats, was a native of Ohio, but was of Scotch de- 
scent, her father, David Rood}', having emigrated 
from Scotland and settled in Ohio in a very early 
day. Six sons and one daughter blessed the home 
of the parents, and five of the children yet survive, 
but the devoted and loving wife and mother 
passed away in 1856. After coming to Iowa, the 
father again married, his second wife being Miss 
Nancy Zigler, whodicd in 1886, leaving one child. 
Our subject was the eldest of his father's children 
and, reared upon a farm, attended the winter schools 
of the neighborhood, walking three miles each 
way and occupying an uncomfortable slab seat 
upon his arrival at tlie primitive log house. He 
was a little lad ten years of age when he arrived 
in Iowa, and remained upon his father's home- 
stead until the war broke out, when without hesi- 
tation he bravely enlisted, upon August 12, 1862, 
in Company B, Twenty-eighth Iowa Infantrj', 
and, immediately forwarded to the front, arrived 
at Port Gibson, Miss., and served under Gen. 
Grant in liis Vicksburg campaign, participating 
successively' in the engagements of Raymond, Ed- 
wards, Champion Hills, Black Hiver, siege of Vicks- 
burg and Jackson. Mr. Coats was then transferred 
and sent under Gen. Banks up the Red River, and 
took part in the battles of Sabine Cross Roads, 
Pleasant Hill, Cane River, Yellow Bayou and Al- 
exander, where he was slightly wounded in the 
arm by a minie-ball. 

Our subject was next transferred to Sheridan 's 
command and fought in tlic Shenandoah Valley, 
at Winchester, Fisher's Hill, Barryville and Cedar 
Creek, and saw Sheridan when he came from 
'■Winchester, twenty miles away." Upon August 
14, 1865, James J. Coats was honorably dischara:ed 
from the military service of the United States. A 
brave boy of fifteen j'ears, he had entered the army 
and, courageously fighting for national existence, 
gallantly participated in fifteen battles besides the 
sieges of Vicksburg and Jackson. During this 
entire time he never took a dose of medicine, but 



was wounded in the ear by the explosion of a 
shell near him. From the Shenandoah Valley he 
had been sent to join Sherman's command, and 
was then, in 1865, forwarded to Savannah and 
tliere mustered out. He served with distinction 
under Gens. Grant, Banks, Sheridan and Sherman, 
and returned home and once more engaged in the 
peaceful pursuit of agriculture after an experience 
few youths ever passed through before attaining 
their majority. He began the culture of tlie soil 
in Honey Creek Township, but in the spring of 
1874 removed to his present homestead, section 2; 
Hartford Township, where he has since continued 
prosperously to reside. In these later years Mr. 
Coals has been twice married. He was first 
wedded August 27, 1871, to Miss Emma Lupher, 
a native of Pennsj'lvania, and daughter of David 
Lupher, a prominent farmer of Iowa County'. 
This estimable lady died September 15, 1884, and 
left to the care of their father four children: May, 
teaching school at Ladora; Clyde C, Lake and 
Fannie. Upon February 1, 1888, he was united 
in marriage with Miss Becca Noaker, born in 
Honej' Creek Township, Iowa County, Iowa, and 
a daughter of Henry and Isabella Noaker, natives 
of Pennsylvania, and early emigrants to Iowa, lo- 
cating in Iowa County in 1858. 

Mr. Noaker died in 1879, at seventy-four years 
of age. He was blind for fourteen years before 
his death, but bore his afHiction with Christian 
resignation. He and his good wife were botli of 
German descent, and were members of the Metliod- 
ist Episcopal Church. The work of his life was 
farming, and he was highly regarded in his home 
county. He was the father of nine children, of 
whom eight yet survive. Our subject and liis 
wife are the parents of two children, James II. 
and Laota. The pleasant homestead of one hun- 
dred and twenty acres is highly cultivated and 
finely improved with substantial and attractive 
buildings. 

In addition to Mr. Coat's militaiw achievements, 
he enlisted in Company K, Third Regiment, I. N. 
G., April 3, 1883, as a private. He was promoted 
to be Second Lieutenant July 4, 1883, elected 
Captain August 19, 1885, and served as captain un- 
til the following year, when he resigned his com- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



723 



mission. During his connection with the Third 
Regiment, he ni.ade many friends with the rank 
and file, .and was considered one of the best line 
officers in the esteemed Third. Tlie soldiers hon- 
ored him and the officers respected him, all on ac- 
count of his manly worth. 

Mr. Coats is an active Republican, and has ablj' 
represented his constituents in countj'. State and 
Congressional conventions and discharged with 
ability the duties of Clerk of the township, also 
serving upon the .School Board ever since he 
came to Hartford Township. In 1892 he was 
elected Township Trustee, and will prove a prom- 
inent factor in the speedy developrnent of local 
improvements in this part of Iowa County. Fra- 
ternally, Mr. Coats is a member of the Ancient 
Free & Accepted Masons, of the Knights of Pythi.as, 
and wears the button of the Grand Array of the 
Republic, and affiliates with the Sons of Veterans. 
His excellent wife is a valued member of the Meth- 
odist Episcopal Church, and is active in the good 
works of that denomination. Our subject and his 
entire family worthily hold positions of usefulness 
and influence, and are among the earnest, ener- 
getic and substantial citizens, who, receiving from 
their ancestors the bequest of patriotism, are ever 
ready to respond to demands of public duty, and 
give to each interest intrusted to their care faith- 
ful fidelity and efficient service. 



,^=0. 



\17 EWIS CASS, our subject, is a gentleman 
I (?g| of most pleasing address, agreeable man- 
jI L-^ ners, liberal spirit and great sociability. 
He is a successful real-estate agent and speculator 
of Grinnell, Iowa, whose friends are legion and 
whose enemies cannot be found. Mr. Cass is a na- 
tive of Alexandria, Grafton County, N. H., born 
May 5, 1833, being the son of Joseph Cass, born 
in the same village and county, the latter being 
the son of Jsason Cass, who was a pioneer farmer 
of prominence, the farail}' coming from Scotland 



and settling first in Massachusetts. The father of 
our subject was a farmer and mill-owner, who op- 
erated water and carding mills and was a manu- 
facturer of flour, lumber and cloth. He was a 
clothier by trade at Alexandria, near Bristol, 
N. H., but in 1869 lie gave up business and re- 
moved to Iowa, where he lived with his children, 
and finally died there at the age of ninety-four 
years. This venerable man was Selectman at Alex- 
andria for years, w.as an old-line Whig .as long as 
that party had an existence, and became a Repub- 
lican as soon as this part3' w.as organized. In re- 
ligion he was a Universalist, his kind and gentle 
nature seeing onl^^ a Being of mere}' in the Ruler 
of the universe. 

The mother of our subject w.as Betsy (Glldden) 
Cass, a native of Croyden, N. H., who was left an 
orphan when quite young. She removed with her 
husband to Grinnell, where she died at the age of 
eighty-three, having been the mother of eight chil- 
dren, four of them living and all growing to matur- 
ity. The living are: Emeline T., of this place; 
Mrs. Jane Flanders, of California; Lewis, our sub- 
ject; and Nason W., of Bristol, N. H. Mrs. Hen- 
rietta Goodridge and Sophia are dead, the latter 
passing away at Grinnell in 1880. Our subject 
was a student in the common schools at Bristol, 
and w.as afterward a student in the famous Pliil- 
lips' Academy, at Andovcr, N. 11. He was in the 
lumber-mill from boyhood and could run tiie old 
upright saw. When twenty-one years old he cut 
a finger from his right hand, which led him to 
abandon milling and go into mercantile life at 
Bristol, in which he continued a few years, during 
which time he was Postmaster. From Bristol he 
went to Lisbon, where ha continued in the general 
merchandise business, and was also Postmaster 
there. 

Our subject continued in the business until 
1866, when he sold out, and in the spring of 1867 
came to Grinnell, Iowa, where he remained eight- 
een months eng.aged in farming, bu3ing new land 
two miles out from here, paying $7.50 per acre. 
He improved the same, but in the fall of 1868 re- 
turned to New Hampshire, coming back, however, to 
Grinnell in the spring of 1869. He then went into 
the bu3'ing, improving and selling of land in Iowa, 



724 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



some of which lay in the northwestern part of the 
State, and he now owns land in the southeastern 
portion of Iowa. He has also engaged in stock-rais- 
ing and in the feeding of cattle. In partnership 
with P. Co.v, he built and owns a storeliouse, with 
a capacity of one hundred and forty thousand 
bushels of grain, and there they buy and store 
merchandise. Mr. Cass also built and owns the fine 
residence he occupies at the corner of Broad and 
First Avenues. 

In partnership with H. D. "Works, he owns the 
Cass it Works' Block at the corner of Cone and 
Broad Streets, which they bought in 1882. It was 
burned down in 1888 and was rebuilt in 1889, the 
dimensions of it now being ;) 1x120 feet. Mr. Cass 
was married in 1856 to Miss Marj' J. Simons, in 
Grafton Count\-, wliere she was born, she being at 
the time of her marriage a teacher in the schools 
of Lowell, Mass. She is the mother of one child, 
Mary J. W. Cass. In politics our subject is a con- 
sistent Republican, being rooted in the principles 
of that party. While at Lisbon he was a School 
Director, and was also Clerk of the town. 



"Ip^ OBERT L. DUNLAP, dealer in heavy farm 
L;^ machinery at Iowa City, Iowa. In no line 
'■^\ of business has there been such progress 



made as in the manufacture of machinery 
for farming purposes, and Mr. Dunlap makes it 
the aim and object of his business career to keep 
a fine and full line of the latest improved machin- 
ery, such as binders, threshing-machines and trac- 
tion engines, in fact, everything that is carried in 
a first-class establishment of the kind. He deserv- 
edly enjoys to the fullest extent the confidence of 
the trade and the community at large, for in all 
his transactions he is accounted an honorable, en- 
terprising and energetic man, and his customers 
feel that they can always count on honorable, 
honest and courteous treatment. 

Mr. Dunlap is a native of Cherry Valley, Ot- 
sego County, N. Y., his birth having occurred on 



the 6th of June, 1823. Of this State his father 
and mother, William and Margaret (Lane) Dun- 
lap, were also natives, the former being profitably 
emploj'ed in agricultural pursuits. He inherited 
Scotch blood of his father, but Mrs. Dunlap was 
of German lineage. At an early day William Dun- 
lap removed with his father's family to La Salle 
County, 111., and after devoting some attention to 
farming and stock-raising he moved to Cham- 
paign County, of the same State, in 1852, where 
his wife was called to her long home two j'ears 
later. 

Robert L. Dunlap was thirteen years old at the 
time his parents removed to Illinois, and in the 
public schools of La Salle and Champaign Coun- 
ties he laid the foundations of a good education, 
which he afterward completed in Warrenville In- 
stitute, at Warrenville, Du Page County, 111. Upon 
leaving these well-conducted schools, he went to 
Cook County, 111., and until 1853 was engaged in 
fanning eighteen miles northwest of Chicago, at 
which time he became interested in the lumber 
business at Green Bay, Wis., and at that point for 
the two 3'ears following was engaged in the manu- 
facture of pine lumber, an enterprise in which those 
who continued to follow it have become rich. 
Upon his removal from Green Bay he went to Vir- 
ginia, where he built a dredging-machine, but after 
a time sold it to parties in Petersburgh and re- 
turned to Cook County, 111., a number of years 
being then spent in the manufacture of sash, doors 
and blinds. He sold out in the fall of 1857, and 
the year 1858 Iowa City became his home, and up 
to 1863 he was extensively' engaged in buying 
grain and hogs. In that 3'ear he began handling 
agricultural iini)lements and heavy farm machinery 
of all descriptions, in which he has done a reason- 
ably profitable business, owing to the fact that he 
keeps a large and select line of goods, and that he 
is upright with his patrons and desirous of pleas- 
ing them. His business house is 27x160 feet. 

On the 15th of June, 1816, he was united in 
marriage with Miss Alma L. Wille^', of Cook 
County, 111., a daughter of Calvin Willey and 
Jeannette (Strong) Willey, who were from the 
State of Vermont. Mrs. Dunlap died leaving two 
childreu: Marcus F., of Cedar County, Mo.; and 



PORTRAIT AND BlOGRAPfflCAL RECORD. 



725 



Fanny, wife of Mell Lumbard, of Des Moines, 
Iowa. In 1865 Mr. Dunlap took for his second 
wife Mrs. H. N. Cole, of Iowa City, a native of 
the State of New York, and to their union two 
sons liave been given: Robert O., who is associated 
witli liis father in business, and Ralph L., who is a 
student in the State University. In politics, Mr. 
Dunlap has always been a Republican, of uncom- 
promising stripe, but has never been an aspirant 
for public favor, for his time has been fully occu- 
pied witli the cares of his extensive business, and 
he has never had anj' desire to enter the political 
arena. He and his wife are members in good 
standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Thej' 
have a very comfortable and well-appointed resi- 
dence at No. 114 Market Street, their surroundings 
indicating refined and correct tastes. Mr. Dun- 
lap's place of business is at No. 220 Washington 
Street, wliere he can usually be found energeticall}' 
and protitably emplo^'ed. 



EFFERT H. MILLS owns and operates a 
valuable farm south of Brooklyn on sec- 
tion 26, Deer Creek Township, Poweshiek 
County. For the past seven j-ears he has made 
his home on this farm, and is here engaged in 
breeding standard Ilambletonian stock. He is an 
enterprising and leading agriculturist, using the 
most approved modern methods in conducting his 
farm. He was born in Greenville, Mercer County, 
Pa., Maj' 3, 1857, and is a son of James and Nanc}^ 
A. (Clark) Mills. 

The paternal grandfather of our subject, Ricli- 
ard Mills, was a native of Pennsylvania and a 
son of James, who emigrated from Ireland. The 
former was a contractor on canals and railroads, 
was interested in the Erie & Pittsburgh Canal, and 
also obtained contracts for various canals in Can- 
ada. Our subject's father, who was born in Fay- 
ette County, Pa., was a collector on the Pitts- 
burgh & Erie Canal for thirty ^ears after it began 
operations. In 1878 he removed to Rock Island, 



111., where he w.as employed as a cashier and book- 
keeper. November 27, 1892, he died while on a 
visit to his daughter at Wilton, Iowa, being then 
scvent^-'three ^-ears of age, as he was born Septem- 
ber 27, 1819. He was a leading Mason and a 
representative business man. His wife died at 
Rock Island in the year 1885. She was the mother 
of six children, the eldest of whom, Clara, was ac- 
cidentall}' killed at the age of four years by fall- 
ing from a bridge to the tow path below. Edwin 
I. died at Rock Island in 1885; Henry II. resides at 
Smith Ferry, Pa. ; Milton G. resides at Rock Island ; 
and Leffert H., our subject, completes the family. 
The mother of these children was born at Girard, 
Erie County, Pa., and was a daughter of Leffert 
Hart, who in early life was an hotel-keeper and 
later engaged in farming. He was of Geinian 
origin, though born in ISLassachusetts. 

Mr. Mills, of this sketch' was reared in his na- 
tive town, Greenville, Pa., and there received 
good educational privileges. In 1874 he removed 
to Rock Island, 111., where his parents were mak- 
ing their home, and there he obtained a position 
as clerk, remaining one 3'ear. For the same length 
of time he was next employed with a brother at 
Carbon Cliff, but returned to Rock Island in 1876, 
where he engaged .as a salesman for his brother 
during the two years succeeding. At the expira- 
tion of this time he returned to the Keystone 
State and became book-keeper for William Padon, 
of Greenville, a wholesale and retail dry-goods 
merchant. In 1879 our subject again returned to 
Rock Island, where he resided for a few years, 
going in 1882 to Marengo, Iowa, where he clerked 
forthefirmof Goldthwaite & Van Boskirk. In 
the fall of 1883 Mr. Mills came to Brooklyn, where 
his empl03'er opened a store, and in June of the 
following year he embarked in the dry-goods busi- 
ness in this place, continuing successfully until 
1886, when unfortunately the store and stock 
were burned. Since that time, as stated at the 
beginning of this sketch, our subject has turned 
his attention to farming, with the exception of 
one year, when he engaged in the lime business 
at Wilton Junction. 

Mr. Mills was married June 24, 1884, to Mrs. 
Frances J., widow of George B. Sherwood, and 



726 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



daughter of Mr. Higginbottom, who, with his wife, 
emigrated from England about tlie jear 1854, 
settling in Licking County, Ohio, where he en- 
gaged in his trade as a shoemaker and also farmed 
extensively. He was called from this life in 1892. 
He was twice married, by his first union having 
four ciiildrcn: Annie, John, Frances and Hattie. 
Mr. and Mrs. Mills' union has been blessed with 
two bright little sons, Albert and George H., who 
aie both attending school at Kemfer Hall, in 
Davenport. Mr. Mills is a member of the Knights 
of Pythias, and deposits liis ballot in favor of the 
nominees of the Republican party. 



'\li AMES EVANS, deceased. Among the noble 
men of Johnson County, Iowa, who fulfilled 
^^ I their destiny and arc now no more, may 
l^^' be mentioned James Evans, whose walk 
through life was characterized by the most honor- 
able business methods, by tlie keenness of his com- 
mercial instincts, by his devotion to his family, 
and by the interest he took in the welfare of his 
fellow-men. He was born in 1810, in Ohio, where 
he grew to manhood and worked in a woolen fac- 
tory, at the same time learning the trade of a mill- 
wright, and as his time was mostly given to these 
occupations, his opportunities for obtaining an 
education which would be of any great benefit to 
him were few enough. Upon reaching man's es- 
tate he took for his companion through life Miss 
Wilmina Riggle, and to their union a family of 
eight children was given wliile they were still 
residents of the State of Ohio, one child, which 
died in infancy, being born to tliem after their re- 
moval to Iowa. 

Mr. Evans was very desirous of bettering his 
financial condition and securing a competence 
and a comfortable home for his family, and as a 
means to this end became to Johnson County and 
took up his residence on a farm in Fremont Town- 
ship, where, by a liberal use of brain and brawn, 
and by unceasing vigilance and attention to his 



affairs, he became possessed of over four hundred 
acres of fine farming land. Johnson Count}' has 
alwaj'S been considered a fine farming region and 
it is especially well adapted to the raising of stock, 
and much of Mr. Evans' attention was given to 
this branch of business, which he found to be not 
only congenial to his tastes, but also an excellent 
source of revenue. His earlj' dreams were realized, 
and through his efforts a comfortable home was 
gained for his family. When Mr. Evans came to 
the county he only had sufficient money to pur- 
chase a yoke of cattle and little else. His career 
is but another illustration of the possibilities 
young men have for advancement in the world 
when they possess a strong determination to rise. 
He commenced life a poor boy, and a farmer's 
boy at that, with but little education, but Fortune 
smiled upon his labors and his means continued 
to increase. He was a Republican of pronounced 
views and a man who always remained true to his 
convictions, and was ever fearless in espousing 
the cause of justice and right. 

The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Evans are as 
follows: Hannah; George (deceased); Cynthia; 
Wilmina, the wife of James G. Hill, of Iowa City; 
Isaac, who died in Ohio; Matilda, wife of Dr. 
John Ogilvie, of Lone Tree; James L., and Charles 
who died in infancy. James L. Evans made his 
first appearance in the world in 1849, and on his 
father's farm in Johnson County he was reared, 
receiving a somewhat limited education in the 
district schools in the vicinity' of his rural home, 
which were conducted in the old-time log school- 
houses. He devoted his time 'd strength to the 
improvement ,and cultivation of the home farm 
until the death of his father, which occurred in 
1873, and in the fall of the following jear he 
united his fortunes with those of Miss Thankful 
Hiler, and then began his independent career, 
which has been quite satisfactory. They own an 
exceptionally fine farm of three hundred and 
twenty acres adjoining the old home farm, and 
what they have in the way of worldly goods they 
have the satisfaction of knowing has been gained 
through their own honest, earnest and intelligent 
efforts. He has been engaged in handling stock 
for several years, in which branch of human en- 






-x-*,^ 






PORTRAIT AND BTOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



729 



deavor he has done well, in fact, like his worthy 
sire before him, he is possessed of excellent busi- 
ness qualifications, and makes a success of every- 
thing to which he seriousl.y gives his attention, 
lie took up his residence in J^one Tree in the fall 
of 1892, and here he has since made his home. He 
has ahvavs been a Republican, and socially is a 
member of that worthy order, the Knights of 
Pythias. He and his wife are the parents of three 
interesting little children: Addie, Bell and Glee. 
Mr. Evans and his wife move in the highest cir- 
cles of society, and are without question worthy 
of the respect and esteem which are accorded them. 



m^^^<i 



^^\ YRUS S. RANCK was boin in Union Count}', 
(l[ Pa., in 1845. His parents were natives of 

'^^J'' the Ke3rstone State and of German descent. 
Though of advanced age, the mother now resides 
in Hancock County, 111., the father having died in 
1890. The boyhood days of our subject were 
passed in Pennsylvania, Iowa and Illinois. In 
Illinois he attended the public schools, and 
lived with his parents until 1865; he then entered 
the Baptist College at Burlington, Iowa, and re- 
mained there four years, and thereafter taught 
school six months. In 1870 he entered the law 
department of the State University of Iowa, and 
was graduated in the Class of '71. Three years 
later he began the active practice of law at Iowa 
City, Iowa, and has so continued ever since. In 
188() the law firm of Ranck (fe Wade was formed, 
which firm still continues to do a large legal busi- 
ness. 

Mr. Ranck possesses fine legal attainments, is a 
good lawyer, a man of the strictest honesty and in- 
tegrity, and is well known throughout the State. 
He has occupied various positions of honor, trust 
and confidence, having been elected for a period 
of four years City Solicitor of Iowa Cit}' and also 
elected a member of the Twentieth and Twenty- 
first General Assemblies of the State of Iowa. 

During his terra in the Legislature occurred the 

33 



bitter struggle in regard to the appropriations for 
the Iowa State University. The services of Mr. 
Ranck at that time are worthy of special mention. 
From one who is familiar with the history of that 
eventful period, we quote as follows: 

"During his term in the House of Representatives, 
a crisis was reached in the history of the State 
Universitj'. From various causes unusual demands 
had been made upon the funds set apart for cur- 
rent expenses. The Regents were under the ne- 
cessity of making provision for but partial pay- 
ment of salaries, relying upon the Legislature for 
a special appropriation to carry them through the 
year. vSome changes made in the professorships 
aroused opposition to this request, unless there 
were coupled with the appropriations a provision 
for the entire re-organization of the administra- 
tive control of the LTniversit3% As a member of 
the House Committee on the State University, Mr. 
Ranck realized the necessity of constant watchful- 
ness, and gave his time and thought to securing the 
needed appropriation. His judicious course al- 
layed animosity and won friends. The needed 
funds were appropriated without conditions and 
without any essential modifications of the man- 
agement of the affairs of the institution. That 
the crisis was so happily passed was due to the 
leadership of Mr. Ranck, under whom friends ral- 
lied most effectively." Since retiring from the 
Legislature, Mr. Ranck has often been of great 
service in his support of measures looking to the 
enlargement of the State LTniversit}-. 

Our subject was a leading member of the Twen- 
ty-first General Assembly and was the Democratic 
member appointed by the Speaker of the House 
on the joint committee of the House and Senate 
to examine into the charges made against Auditor 
Brown, and took an active part on that committee. 
In 1886 he was elected Prosecuting Attorney of 
Johnson County, Iowa, and was three times nom- 
inated by acclamation by the Democratic party for 
that position, which he held for six years. In this 
particular branch of the law he succeeded so ad- 
mirably that fully ninety per cent, of persons in- 
dicted during his several terms of office were con- 
victed, and but one of the hundred or more in- 
dictments drawn by him was found defective. 



730 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Of the four cases appealed b\' him to the Supreme 
Court of Iowa on behalf of the State all were re- 
versed. 

Mr. Ranck is a forcible and eloquent speaker 
and is considered one of the best criminal lawyers 
in eastern Iowa. He is a married man, a man 
of good social qualities, possessed of many of 
the best traits of character, and is much esteemed 
by his friends. 



GEORGE A. EWING. Among the leading 
citizens of Iowa City, Iowa, in the profes- 
sional, business and social life of the place, 
and one who lends eminent strength to her Bar, 
tone to her finance, and grace to her society, may 
be mentioned George A. Ewing. He has conducted 
many cases to a successful issue, for he has a thor- 
ough and comprehensive knowledge of inter- 
national law and makes it his aim and object to 
thoroughly post himself in his clients' interests, 
and as a result is rarely taken by surprise or at a 
disadvantage. He is a member of the law firm of 
Ewing & Ewing, so well known throughout John- 
son County, Iowa, and he and his worthy partner 
are admirably adapted to honorably prosecute this 
most exalted of professions. Their names may be 
mentioned in direct refutation of the unjust accu- 
sation that a lawyer cannot be honest, for they 
have never wilfully wronged any one, either by 
word or deed. 

Ml'. Ewing was born in Fairfield Count}', Ohio, 
his birth occurring near the town of Lancaster, 
on the 28th of December, 1842, he being the 
eldest scion of his father's house. His parents, 
Thomas and Eliza (Arnold) Ewing, were born in 
Fairfield County, Ohio, and Maryland, respectively, 
the father's birth taking place in 181.5. His atten- 
tion throughout life was devoted to tilling the 
soil, the laborious occupation of clearing and im- 
proving wild land being his for a number of 3'ears. 
His father, Thomas E. Ewiug, was of Scotch de- 
scent, and in the subject of this sketch may be 



found many of the most noble attributes of that 
people, for not only is he courageous and fearless 
in expressing his opinion, but he possesses a native 
shrewdness, keen discernment and undoubted hon- 
esty. Eliza Arnold's birth occurred in the year 
1817, she being a daughter of George Arnold, in 
whose veins flowed English blood. 

The j'outhful da3's of George A. Ewing were 
spent in the usual way of farmers' boys and the 
monotonous duties of the farm were only broken 
by his attendance at the district schools in the 
immediate neighborhood of his home, where the 
foundations of an excellent education were laid. 
The excellent start he thus acquired in the world 
of books was later supplemented by an attendance 
at the Wesleyau University at Delaware, Ohio, 
where he patiently- and successfully pursued the 
path of learning for four 3'ears. His analytical 
and well-poised mind then naturall3' turned to 
the law as his life occupation, and he carried on 
his legal studies in the office of ex-Gov. Medill, of 
Lancaster, Ohio, for three years, at the end of 
which time, upon application, he was admitted to 
the Bar, during the session of the Supreme Court 
in 186G. 

About this time the State of Iowa possessed nu- 
merous attractions for Mr. Ewing, but he did not 
remove hither until 1872, in which year Iowa 
City became his home and the scene of his future 
operations and usefulness in the preservation of 
law and order. He soon formed a parlnersliip 
with Judge John Williams, which continued three 
years, after which he became associated with C. S. 
Ranck. Four 3'ears later this partnership vras also 
dissolved, after which he continued the practice 
of his profession alone until he formed his present 
partnership. Their's is a strong combination, and 
the success with which they are meeting is but 
their just due. Mr. Ewing h.as always been an 
adherent of the Democratic party, and on the 21st 
of August, 1890, he was appointed Captain of the 
First Iowa Regiment of the Patriarch Militia. He 
is a member of Iowa City Lodge No. 4, A. F. & 
A. M., in which he has attained to the Royal Arch 
Degree, and he is also a member of Kosciusko 
Lodge No. 6, I. O. O. F. His marriage was cele- 
brated in 1866, Miss Allie Martin, of Lancaster, 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



731 



Ohio, a daughter of George W. Martin, becoming 
his wife. To this union six children have been 
born, four daughters and t^o sons. Mr. Ewing 
has a pleasant and comfortable residence at No. 
330 Davenport Street, where he and his wife hos- 
pitably welcome their many friends. 



11^ 



"iTiOSEPH DENISON. Prominent among the 
respected citizens of Penn Township, .lohn- 
^,^ I son County, is the gentleman whose name 
^^/J heads this slceteh. Mr. Denison came to 
Johnson County in March, 1829, from Muskingum 
County, Ohio, where he was born December 1, 
1815. In his native State he was reared to man- 
hood and there lived until he emigrated to this 
county. On arriving in this State he immediately 
took up a claim, on which he has since resided, 
spending thirteen years in laboriously tilling the 
uncultivated prairie and improving his claim. 

Thinking it not good for man to live alone, 
our subject chose for his life companion Miss 
Elizabeth Diggins, to whom he was married April 
10, 1853, in Madison Township, this county. 
Mrs. Denison w.as born in Huntingdon Count}', 
Pa., September 6, 1822. She was a faithful wife 
and a devoted mother during her lifetime, and 
died in Penn Township November 5, 1875. She was 
the mother of the following children: Maria; 
Elizabeth, who died in infancy; Julia A.; Harlen 
C, who died in Clear Creek, November 1, 1887; 
Matilda T., now the wife of James A. Work; and 
David E. 

Our subject has not aspired to any offices within 
the township, but has helped in every possible 
way toward the upward progress of this commun- 
ity. He has been an influential member of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church for nearly half a cen- 
tury, and has proven himself a zealous worker 
and liberal contributor to that denomination. His 
wife was also an active worker in the same church 
with her husband, having united with that church 
when very young. By his energy, judicial man- 



agement and economical living, Mr. Denison has 
acquired for himself and family a good livelihood 
and has become widely and favorably known in 
this vicinity. 



\Tr^jENJAMIN NICHOLSON, a prominent citi- 
iL<^\ zen and pioneer resident of Honey Creek 
l'/^] I Township, Iowa County, Iowa, owns a 
^^■^S^ valuable homestead located on section 25, 
and has held many important local positions of 
trust, ably discharging the duties thus involved. 
As a Justice of the Peace he has for twelve years 
administered the law with impartiality and accor- 
ding to the evidence apparent in each case, and 
as Township Trustee and School Director has 
given earnest effort in behalf of the upward 
growth and rapid advancement of the leading in- 
terests of the township and county. Our subject 
was born in Miami County Februar}' 12, 1827. 
His father, Samuel Nicholson, a native of Kentucky, 
was born and reared near Lexington. But little 
is known of his ancestors by his descendants, 
lie served bravely in the War of 1812 and when 
the war was over went to Miami County and be- 
gan his apprenticeship to the carpenter's trade. For 
several 3'ears he worked at that occupation and 
found read}' and profitable empl03ment, but finally 
entered land in the dense woods, and clearing the 
farm with difliculty spent the remainder of his life 
upon this homestead, passing awa\' at an advanced 
age. 

The mother of Benjamin Nicholson was in youth 
Miss Fannie Brandon, of North Carolina. Her 
people came to Ohio when she was very young, 
but had well preserved the annals of their ances- 
try. The Brandons were an old and distinguished 
Southern family, the maternal grandfatlier of our 
subject having been Benjamin Brandon, a Revo- 
lutionary soldier, who gave faithful and efficient 
service in behalf of the liberty of the future Amer- 
ican nation. Mrs. Fannie (Brandon) Nicholson, 
died after a life of Christian usefulness in 1832. 



792 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



She was the mother of five children, three sons and 
two daughters, four of whom are yet living. Mr. 
Nicholson was born in an humble little log house 
built by his father in the woods, and, obliged to 
work at a very tender age, enjoyed but few ad- 
vantages of schooling. The country about the 
home was new and sparsely settled, and deer and 
a variety of wild game still abounded in the Ohio 
woods, and our subject well remembers to have 
counted as many as fourteen deer all feeding qui- 
etly together. Mr. Nicholson learned the carpen- 
ter's trade from his father's teaching and Indus 
triously pursued the same until twenty-three 3'ears 
old and afterward at another period engaged in 
the business for two 3'ears. 

In the fall of 1851, our subject came to Iowa 
and entered eighty acres of land in Honey Creek 
Township, on section 25. At this time in Western 
history there were more Indians than white set- 
tlers in the county. Mr. Nicholson entered land 
warrants for his father and Capt. George Buchanan, 
both of whom were soldiers in tlie War of 1812. 
July 12, 1853, our subject was united in marriage 
with Miss Elizabeth Harp, of Miami County, Ohio, 
her parents having been among the early emi- 
grants from the South. Soon after his marriage, Mr. 
Nicholson brought his bride to his Western home, 
traveling all the way b^' teams, and was three weeks 
making the trip. October 12, 1853, he began cut- 
ting tiie logs for his future residence, and as soon 
as that was built proceeded to make rails to en- 
close part of his land. The next two j-ears he 
devoted mainl}' to carpenter's work, his services 
being in demand in the new country, which at that 
time could boast of but two frame houses within a 
considerable distance, the early settlers for the 
most part being quite content with a comfortable 
loo' cabin. Different bodies of Indians at first 
camped in the vicinity, but ere long the countr}- 
began settling up and with the coming of the 
"white brothers" the Indians disappeared. 

The wife of our subject, his faithful helpmate, 
and the loving mother of five children, passed 
away in 1879. The son and daughters who sur- 
vived her are: Samuel W., the eldest ohild, who is 
married and lives with his family upon a farm; 
Sadie, now Mrs. William Elwood, whose husband 



is a prosperous yo"ng' agriculturist of Guthrie 
County, Iowa; Mamie, wife of George Hannah, a 
well-known fainier of Honey Creek Township; 
and Lebbie, yet at home. The son and daughters all 
occupy positions of usefulness and are highly re- 
spected b}' the various communities among whom 
they dwell. Mr. and Mrs. Nicholson were both val- 
ued members of the Christian Church and brought 
up their family to a strict observance of religious 
duty. Financially, our subject has met with suc- 
cess in life. He owns two hundred and fifty-six 
acres on sections 25 and 36 and has given his son 
one hundred and tliirt3-five acres beside. He pur- 
chased one hundred and sixt3'-eight acres at %!l.25 
per acre and bought the remainder from time to 
time. He has been especially successful in stock- 
raising, handling only the best grades of cattle, 
horses and hogs. 

Politically, Mr. Nicholson is a pronounced Demo- 
crat and while not a politician has served upon the 
Election Board as clerk, held the office of Town- 
ship Trustee for a number of 3'ears (making a 
splendid official record), was prominently con- 
nected with tlie Sciiool Board several seasons, and 
for twelve years was Justice of the Peace and was 
again elected to the same office last fall. He has been 
famous for uniting discordant elements and bring- 
ing about settlements of difficulties to the great 
satisfaction of the participants in the trouble. 
Living a life of unselfishness and honored useful- 
ness, the days of our subject have passed swiftly, 
and now in the approaching evening of his age 
the past is filled with pleasant memories of duty 
faithfully done, the lecord of his private and pub- 
lic life being untarnished by one dishonest word 
or deed. 



'if AMES E. McINTIRE, one of the wealthy 
farmers of Montezuma Township, Powe- 
shiek Count3', who owns and operates a 
_ farm on section 19, was born in Mont- 
gomery County, Ind., September 20, 1831, and is 



PORTRAIT AKD BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



733 



:i son of John and Jane (McMains) Mclntire, who 
were both born near Lexington, Ky., the former 
in 1801, and the latter about 1811. The father 
was a son of Alexander and Margaret (Clark) Mc- 
lntire, natives of Tennessee and Penns3'Ivania, re- 
spectively. Alexander Mclutire was reared to 
manhood in Tennessee on a farm, and removed 
with his parents to Kentucky at a very early day, 
being among the first settlers on the site of the 
flourishing city of Lexington. In that State his 
marriage was celebrated, and tliere he engaged in 
farming, owning a large plantation and a number 
of slaves. He afterward removed to Montgom- 
ery County, Ind., where he was also among the 
first settlers, and where he engaged in farming 
for many j-ears. His death occurred at the home 
of our subject's father about the year 1843, when 
he had attained the ripe age of eighty-seven years. 
John Mclntire was reared to manhood in 
Kentuck}^ his education being obtained in the 
common schools. Early inured to farm labor, he 
made that his occupation for many years. About 
the year 1827 he was married in Montgomery 
County, Ind., to the ladj' who afterward became 
the mother of our subject. Her father, James Mc- 
Mains, was a native of Ireland, and her mother 
bore the maiden name of Hadden. Mr. Mclntire 
purchased land in Indiana, where he engaged in 
farming until removing to Iowa in 1849, making 
the journey overland with wagons and bringing 
his family and all earthly effects with him. He 
was possessed of considerable means and made a 
location in Montezuma Township, being one of 
the first to purchase land in Poweshiek County. 
He became the owner of four hundred acres, which 
were in one body, and probably owned a like 
amount in outside tracts. He erected the fiist 
hotel in Montezuma, and also built and ran for a 
short time the Stanley House. In 1856 he em- 
barked in merchandising at tliat point, but had 
previousljr carried on large grist and saw mills, 
which were the first ones erected in the county. 
He continued in the milling business in various 
portions of the county until shortl}' before his 
death, when he retired, resting in the enjoyment 
of the fruits of his former labors. He was an in- 
fluential man in this and adjoining counties, and 



was once chosen as one of the County Commis- 
sioners. Politically, he was a Jacksonian Demo- 
crat. His death occurred in 18i>(). Ho was a mem- 
ber of the Christian Church, to which his wife, 
who died in 1870, also belonged. Their family 
comprised nine children, namely: Ann, wife of 
George Wasson; our subject; John; Margaret, 
Mrs. Hiram Taj^lor; Thomas; Perry; Sarah J., de- 
ceased, formerly the wife of John Furnaugli ; Ellen, 
wife of Edward Shipley; and Robert. 

"When twenty years of .age our subject started 
out to make his own way in the world, and for 
three years was engaged in teaching school in this 
State. He had received good school advantages 
in Waveland, Ind., and has always been a wide 
reader and an acute observer of men and affairs. 
He was only twenty \'ears of age when his mar- 
riage with Miss Catherine Wollson was celebrated. 
She was only fourteen years old and a daughter 
of Gideon and Catherine (Wilison) Wollson. The 
former was born May 26, 1801, in Jefferson Count^', 
E. Tenn., and in early life removed to Indiana, for 
eight j-ears being Judge of the Courts at Indian- 
apolis, to which position he was elected a second 
term, but refused to serve on account of poor 
health. In the spring of 1847 he came to Monte- 
zuma and entered the land which is now com- 
prised in West Montezuma. The- following j-ear 
he removed to the old homestead, where he died 
October 3, 1879. He began merchandising in the 
village in 1*49, and continued in that line until 
1870, when he retired from active life. In 1855 
he met with a severe loss, his buildings and en- 
tire stock of goods being destro^-ed by fire. He 
afterward built on the west side of the Court 
House and succeeded well in his business enter- 
prises. To his children he gave $20,000, and was 
also possessed of considerable real estate and means 
at the time of his death. 

Soon after his marriage Mr. Mclntire com- 
menced managing a farm of one hundred and 
sixty acres, which had been given him hy his fa- 
ther. His wife had been also generouslj' dow- 
ered, receiving two hundred acres from her fa- 
ther. After spending five years upon his farm he 
removed to Montezuma, where for two years he 
was occupied in running the mill belonging to his 



734 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



father. After a few j'ears he returned to the 
farm, to the cultivation of which he devoted him- 
self for thirt3'-one years, accumulating a valuable 
property and making many substantial improve- 
ments upon the same. In 1891 he retired from 
the arduous duties incident to carrying on a 
farm, and removing again to Montezuma, pur- 
chased the Roberts' property, on which he is now 
making his home. 

Mr. and Mrs. Mclntire are the parents of seven 
living children, two having been called from this 
life. The family record is as follows: Mary, who 
married Ellis Harrod; Katie, who died when nine- 
teen years of age; John, whose death occurred at 
the age of sixteen years; Nanny E., now Mrs. 
Elmer Pimlott; Isaac, an attorney in .Sheldon, 
Iowa; Sarah, Mrs. William Morrison; James, a 
minister in the Christian Church at Spencer, Iowa; 
May, a successful teacher; and Thomas, who 
is studying for the ministry in Oskaloosa Col- 
lege. Isaac, James and May were all graduates 
of Oskaloosa College, also graduating at the 
Theological Seminary in Lexington, Ky., and 
Isaac having been graduated from the Iowa City 
Law School. They have all received exceptional 
advantages and are numbered among the most 
prominent citizens in the places where they abide. 
Mr. and Mrs. Mclntire are devoted members of the 
Christian Church of Montezuma, in which the 
former has been an Elder for many years. Polit- 
ically, he is a strong Democrat. 



'^ OSEPH ALT is numbered among the re- 
spected citizens of Penn Township, Johnson 
County, having come here in August, 1839, 
from Warren County, 111. Mr. Alt was 
born in Jefferson County, Iowa, July 12, 1817, and 
when but three Qionths old was taken by his parents 
to Clarke County, Ohio, where he was reared to 
manliood. In the year 1836 he moved to Warren 
County, and there lived until, linall}', coming to 



Johnson County, he made his home with his eldest 
brother, Henry, with whom he remained until 
1848. 

A very important event happened in the life of 
our subject in the year last mentioned, when he 
was married and settled on the farm where he now 
lives. Upon this uncultivated tract, Mr. Alt 
erected a dwelling and made numerous improve- 
ments, from time to time adding to his landed 
possessions until they aggregate about two hun- 
dred and forty broad and fertile acres. Mrs. Alt, 
whose maiden name was Eliza Kepford, was born 
in Cumberland County, Pa., and since her union 
with our subject has become the mother of seven 
children, all of whom are still living except one, 
who died when seven years old. They are Alice, 
wife of Hon. John A. Pickler; Albert; Catherine, 
wife of William Houlkner; George, who married 
Eudora Colony; Nellie; and Rolla, who married 
Miss Emma Stewart. 

Mr. Alt takes a great interest in local affairs and 
has occupied some important positions in public 
offices. He is well known, highh' respected and is 
liked bj' all who know him. 



'^ ACOB BEARD. We are pleased to present to 
the readers of this work a brief biographical 
sketch of a gentleman who has made his 

^ mark in Johnson County in the line of 
agriculture. Mr. Beard, who has made for him- 
self by persevering industry and skillful manage- 
ment a good competence, is now retired from 
actual toil and is enjoying the harvest of his past 
labor. His house, which is a comfortable abode, 
is situated on section 8, Scott Township. 

Our subject is of German birth, having been 
born in Baden September 8, 1815, where he was 
reared to a noble manhood. At the age of twenty- 
three years he boarded a steamer, and after a 
long and tedious voyage set foot on America's 
shores. He located in Montgomery County, Ohio, 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



735 



and tliere worked at his trade, that of a stone- 
mason, for seven years. In the meantime he 
wedded the lady of his choice. Miss Minnie A. 
Spohn, in the year 1844, and a year later removed 
to Johnson County, settling in Iowa City. In 
1862 he located in Scott Township, where he has 
since made his home and realized a profitable in- 
come. 

The worthy wife of our subject was born in 
Montgomery County, Ohio, February 6, 1817. 
Their union was blessed by the birth of eight 
children, five of whom are living: Benjamin F., who 
married Lizzie O'Brien; Frank, who wedded Aman- 
da O'Brien; Salem, who married Emma Matthews; 
Emma, the wife of S. H. Daniels; and John, who 
married Carrie Woltz. The other children died 
in infancy. Mr. Beard is a member of the Ger- 
man Lutheran Church. He was bereft of his com- 
panion October 29, 1879, and the following spring 
went to the Old Country on a visit, remaining 
there about three months. Since 1887 he has led 
a quiet, peaceful life, and is recognized as one 
of the honored citizens, as well as one of the old- 
est settlers, of Johnson County. 



r 



?REEMAN R. CON A WAY was born in 
Brooklyn, Iowa, August 24, 1859, and was 
the only son of the late Stale Senator John 
Conaway. He learned the printer's trade early in 
life, attended the State Normal School at Cedar 
Falls two years, and afterward finished his col- 
legiate education at the Iowa Wesleyan Univer- 
sity at Mt. Pleasant. He had a liking for poli- 
ties, and in college was made President of the 
Tow Line Republican Club. His first vote was 
cast for James A. Garfield for President. 

Returning from college in 1881, our subject 
became the associate of the Hon. AV. M. McP'ar- 



land, now Iowa's Secretary of .State, in the pub- 
lication of the Brooklyn Chronicle. Two years 
later he purchased Mr. McFarland's interest and 
has continued the publisher since, save for two 
years, 1887 and 1888, while he was manager of 
the Ft. Smith (Ark.) Daily Journal. He was Sec- 
retary of the Iowa Press Association for four 
years, 1883 to 1887, resigning when he went 
South, and was one of Iowa's delegates to the 
National Editorial Association meeting at De- 
troit in 1889, and also at St. Paul in 1890. In 
1892 he was elected Secretary of the Iowa Re- 
publican League and directed the work of the 
State organizations from his own office during 
that memorable campaign when Iowa was swung 
back into the Republican column. He was a dele- 
gate to the National Republican League Conven- 
tion at Buffalo in 1892, and at Louisville in 1893. 

Mr. Conaway has always declined nominations 
for office, preferring to work in the harness, and 
yet is willing to accept the Slate- Printersliip if 
the Legislature desires to elect him. Our sub- 
ject enjoys legislative work onl\' as a reporter, 
and has been twice the legislative writer for the 
Des Moines Register, Mr. Clarkson's paper. He 
has had several offers to engage in metropolitan 
journalism, but has declined, preferring the duties 
and pleasures of country newspaper work. The 
first offer of an editorship which came to him was 
in 1881, and was from the Hon. L. D. Le welling, 
the present Governor of Kansas, who was at that 
time the editor of the Republican (Des Moines) 
Capital. 

Mr. Conaway was married August 15, 1879, to 
Miss Minnie Cole, a daughter of the late Robert 
Cole, senior partner of the firm of Cole Bros., 
pump and lightning-rod manufacturers. They have 
one child, a little daughter, Laura Maude, born 
April 15, 1892. John Conaway, the father of our 
subject, was born near Cadiz, Ohio. He was the 
son of Charles Conaway. John Conaway married 
Mary E., the daughter of Richard Cunning. Mr. 
Conaway has two sisters living: Fannie A., wife 
of O. V. Dorrance, President of the Poweshiek 
County Bank, at Brooklyn; and Florence N., 
wife of the Hon. VV. M. McFarland, Secretary of 
State. 



736 



POKTEAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL EECORD. 



eHARLES HOMER BARTLP:TT, a well- 
known citizen of Iowa County, who I'e- 
sides in Hartford Township, is one of the 
most successful and enterprising farmers of this 
section of the State. He is a native of New 
Hampshire and was born in the city of Winches- 
ter July 24, 1839. He traces his ancestry to one 
Henry Bartlett, who emigrated from England in 
the historic "Mayflower," and made a settlement in 
Massachusetts. The paternal grandfather of our 
subject, William Bartlett, was a Captain in the 
War of 1812, in which lie served with distin- 
guished bravery and gallantry. He followed the 
occupation of a farmer and at the same time en- 
gaged at his trade of a carpenter. He died at an 
advanced age in the city of Winchester, N. H. 

The father of our subject, Elijah Bartlett, was 
born in Windham County, Vt., in 1807, and was 
one in a family of eight, there being three sons 
and five daughters. The youngest in the family 
circle, he was reared to manhood in the place of 
his birth, and early in life adopted the calling of 
a farmer. In the spring of 1854 he removed from 
New Hampshire to Clinton County, Iowa, where 
he purchased a farm and resided for a period of 
six years. Thence in the spring of 1861 he re- 
moved to Cedar County, and two years later went 
to Scott County, Iowa, where he became the 
owner of a fine farm. In the spring of 1881 he 
removed further West and purchased a farm in 
Poweshiek County, near the border of Iowa Coun- 
ty. His death occurred at this place in November 
of 1886. In his religious convictions he was 
from boyhood a devoted member of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church, and was a man of good habits 
and exemplar}' life. 

Eliza Stratton, as the mother of our subject was 
known in maidenhood, was born in Windham 
County, Vt., in 1808, and is now (1893) eighty- 
five years of age. She is the daughter of Daniel 
Stratton. She is a member of the Methodist Epis- 
copal Church and lias been identified with that 
denomination for many years. Of her marriage 
there were born seven children, all of whom are 
now living, Charles H. bfeing the second in order of 
birth. He was reared on his father's farm and in 
his childhood enjoyed fair educational advantages 



his first schooling being obtained in a primitive 
log schoolhouse, with slab seats, puncheon floor 
and rude furnishings. At the age of fifteen he 
came to Iowa, and for ten years afterward re- 
mained beneatli the parental roof. 

In the spring of 1859, Mr. Bartlett went on an 
expedition to Pike's Peak, driving an ox-team a 
distance of two thousand miles, but upon reaching 
his destination he became disheartened and sold 
his supplies. Later he secured employment as a 
freighter and drove an ox-team to Denver and 
back, receiving a salary of $25 per month. To 
him belongs the distinction of having hauled the 
lumber used in the construction of the first frame 
house built in Denver. In his journeys he met 
many Indians and traded considerably with them. 
Buffaloes were numerous in those early days, and 
many of them fell the victims of his unerring shot. 

Upon his return to Iowa, Mr. Bartlett rented 
laud in Scott County, where he engaged in farm- 
ing for several seasons. In the spring of 1861 he 
went to Cedar County, where he carried on agri- 
cultural pursuits in connection with his father and 
brothers. In the spring of 1863 he removed to 
vScott County, and there made his home for a pe- 
riod of twelve 3'ears, but in 1875 he disposed of 
his property to his brothers and purchased his 
present farm on section 19, Hartford Township, 
adjoining the corporation of Victor. Here he has 
a well-improved farm of two hundred and eighty 
acres, upon wliich he has erected a number of suit- 
able buildings adapted to farming purposes and of 
substantial construction. 

In 1866, Mr. Bartlett was united in marriage 
with Miss Mellica, the daughter of M. C. Jacobs, 
an earl}' settler of Scott Count}'. Seven children 
blessed the union: Lyda M.; Bert, deceased; 
Charles, who is with the Southern Pacific Railroad 
in California; Mira, Jennie, William and Grace. 
Mrs. Bartlett died in October, 1889. In his polit- 
ical affliiations Mr. Bartlett espouses the cause of 
the Republican party and is one of the most de- 
voted champions of that political organization. 
He has served with efficiency as Township Treas- 
urer for the past thirteen years and in 1885 was 
the Republican nominee for the position of County 
Supervisor, but, the county being strongly Demo- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



737 



ciatic, he was defeated with the remainder of the 
ticket. He is a stoclcholder in the Farmers' Sav- 
ings Bank of Victor, in which he is also serving as 
Director and Vice-President. He is one of three 
Commissioners appointed to appraise the land 
wliere tiie new Iowa Court House is being built. 

Mr. Bartlett is a man of wide travel and has 
visited many of the most interesting points in the 
United States. He visited tlie Exposition at New 



Orleans and has traveled widely throughout the 
West. In his farming operations he has met with 
especial success and is now the owner of a large 
tract that pays tribute to his care and cultivation. 
In addition to general farming he engages in ship- 
ping cattle and hogs to Chicago and otlier markets. 
He is a man who stands high in the esteem of his 
fellow-citizens and is recognized as one of the 
most enterprising citizens of tlie communit\'. 




Ijl^J -v J'' ' "^ 







Abrams, Ebenezer <5S 

Adams, E. M 585 

Adams, John 23 

Adams, J. E 361 

Adams, John Q 39 

Adams, Moses *59 

Ady , Joshua ''^^ 

Ahrens, Albert 438 

Albright, Abraham 481 

Alderman, P A 71 K 

Allen, S. A K'4 

Alt, Joseph "31 

Altitr,H.C «59 

Alverson,Hon. E.E 126 

Anderson, Peter 312 

-Andrews, Orrin 318 

J^ndrews, William 365 

Anthony, Robert 6(15 

Arthur, Chester A 9» 



Babcock, W. H 327 

Bailey, J. F 292 

Bailey, J. S 617 

Bailey, W.H 2-22 

Barber, D.S '71 

Barnes. L. H 146 

Barri-tt, Rev. E.N 2(« 

Bartlelt.C. H 73fl 

Bartlett, E. S 513 

Bartlett, Lyman 34H 

Bartlett, S. M 522 

Beard. Jacob 734 

Beeler, J. S 359 

Bird.H. F 5.i7 

Blakely. A. J 573 

Blasier, Capt. Edward 682 

Bloom, Hon Moses 1"! 

Bodine,F.E 593 

Borschel , Adam 495 



Bowen, Isaac 150 

Bowers, Edward 399 

Bowers, Nathaniel 343 

Bowersox.Clay 507 

Boyle, John 454 

Boyle, Thomas 260 

Bradley , Stephen 279 

Brainerd, N. H 175 

Brant, Samuel 398 

Bravender, Luke 170 

Breese. J.R 618 

Breese, John 701 

Bricker, John, M. D 305 

Brown, Alouzo 50*1 

Bro'wn, George 690 

Brown, J. G 505 

Browning, A. H 324 

Bryan, J. B 1«7 

Buchanan, James 75 

Buchanan, J. M 285 

^uchanan , W. H 496 

Buchenau. Oeorge 388 

Buck, VV.F 138 

Bulechek, John 429 

Burbank, G. C 715 

Burckle, F. P 206 

Burge,J. M 624 

Burton, P. D 351 

Bu.sby, I. N., M. D 420 

Buxton, W.L 307 

Byington,0. A 2.')7 



Caldwell, J. J., Jr 225 

Carder, J. B., M. D 120 

Carr, Capt. J. W 519 

Carter, Charles 383 

Cass, Lewis 723 

Cerny, Joseph 687 

Chafee, Judge Miles 209 

Chamberlain, Wright 343 

Chamberlin , James 598 

Cherry, A. K 391 

Child, Jonathan 221 

Clark, C. R 530 

Clark, J.N 231 



Clark, Lorain 38^ 

Cleveland, S. Grover 103 

Clifford, C. E 678 

Close, CD 159 

Coats.J.J 721 

Cochran, J. C 254 

Cochran, Matthew 370 

Cochran. William 665 

Colony,J.D 621 

Colony, Philo 360 

Colson.F.B 161 

Combe, Thomas 375 

Conaway, C. D., M. U 404 

Conaway, F. R 735 

Conklin, W. F I'il 

Conover,C. W 427 

Cook,M. W 473 

Cozine, Samuel 416 

Craig, Mrs. Mary 551 

Cravath,S. A., M. D 336 

Crawford, Hugh 178 

Cray, Jeremiah 576 

Cray, J. H 628 

Crow, Nathaniel 194 



Dalton, Peter 490 

Daniels, S. H 551 

Davidson, A. J 668 

Davidson, Albert 630 

Davis, Robert 558 

Davis, SquireT.D 452 

Davis, W.J 409 

Delescaille, Peter 322 

Denison, Joseph 731 

Dennis, Bryan .''21 

Dennis, I. V 658 

Denton , Robert 709 

Devault, Strawder 561 

Dilatush, John 187 

Dodder, G. W 339 

Donaldson, John 168 

Dorrance, O. F 387 

Dorwart, Daniel 290 

Douglas, Larimer 674 

Douglass, William 494 



Downing, W. H 579 

Downs, J. H 496 

Duffus, J. B 384 

Dunlap , James 426 

Dunlap, R. L 724 

Durst, Jacob 693 



Eddy. William 3,-,2 

Edwards, D. A 703 

Engelbert, C. M. W 514 

Engelbert, J. C 277 

Englert, J. J 253 

English, John «i;o 

Evans, J. D 378 

Evans, James 726 

Ewing, O. A 730 



Fickes. D. D 266 

Fillmore. Millard «7 

-Fisher, J. H 615 

Folker, John 610 

Folsom, Gilnian 534 

Forbes, Mrs. Emeline 336 

France, James 599 

Fraser, John 652 

Fry, G. W W7 

Fry, John 719 

Fry,S. P 200 

Fry, T. R 2.'S0 

Fry, W. H 3;a 

Fuhrniiester. Frederick 160 

Furnas, Robert .5.33 



Gartield. James A 
Geiger, F. X. B. . . 



INDEX. 



Gibson, Sirs. Adaliue 705 

Gilchrist. J. G.,M. D 125 

Gode. Henry 635 

Goetz, J. A 715 

Goodrile, Cornelius 50S 

Gould, John 64S 

Graham, A. H 612 

Graham. R. B 431 

Graham, Thomas 562 

Grant, Uysses S 87 

Grinnell, Hon. J. B 137 

Grout, Zenus 488 

Gwin.S. B 413 



Haas, J. M 247 

Hagenlock, William 427 

Hall, t'apt. G. E 2111 

Hamilton, H 241 

Hannay, J. F 403 

Happy, Emory 603 

Harding, L. W., M. D 298 

Harris, Mrs. E. E 2.19 

Harrison, Benjamin 107 

HaiTison, WiUiam Henry 51 

Hartman, Carr .329 

Hayes, Rutherford B 91 

Hays,D.F 436 

Heald.A. R 579 

Hedges, J. P 695 

Hedges. T. M.. M. D 182 

.Hemsted.S, H 147 

Henderson, A. M 144 

Hieber, J.J 277 

Hink, John 429 

Hitchcock, G. A 500 

Hixson, Isaiah 484 

Jloffman. J. M 392 

Hogan, Dennis 212 

Holbrook. Hon. N. B 237 

Hollowell, J. W 415 

Holmes, Watson 119 

Holson.Capt. N. A 218 

Hoover, David 518 

Hostetter, B. F 713 

Hotz, Simeon 263 

Howard, Gapt. H. V 313 

Hubbard, A. M .582 

Hughes, D.B 134 

Hughes , Peter 499 

Hughes, Thomas 286 

Hughes, Kev. T. B C80 

Humer, Wenzel 232 

Humphrey, S. R 542 

Hunter, C.\rus 171 

Hunter, George 672 

Hunter, J. C 688 

Hunter, Lemuel 381 



Jackson, Andrew 43 



Jelierson . Thoit as 27 

Johnson, Andrew 83 

Johnson, G. D 637 

Johnson, Henry 400 

Johnson, Sylvanus 671 

Jones, D. D 171 

Jones, J. P 513 



Kelly, Hon. M. J .581 

Kephart, J. H 614 

■^essler, J . T 489 

Kettles, Lieut. Peter 235 

Kettlewell, G. W 460 

Kime, N. F 211 

Kirkwood. Gov. S.J 117 

Kitchen, T. S 6S1 

Kuiese, Adam 366 

Kolda, Joseph 536 



Lang, Gavin 338 

Langdon, D. M 364 

Lathrop, H. W 197 

Lawrence. Samuel 684 

Leaderi'Thomas 139 

Lewis, D. K 622 

Lewis, G. W 265 

Lewis, .Judge W. R 610 

Lincoln, Abraham 79 

Linder, Anton .5;S 

Linebarger, Lewis 122 

Littig, L. W.,M. D 133 

Little, W. A 215 

Lucas, Capt. C. A 333 

Lucas, Hon. E. W 1.56 

Ludor, Edward 468 

Lyman. Hon. J. P 361 

Lytle.S. S.,M. D 487 



M 



MacDonald, Ronald 406 

Macy, William 700 

Madi-son, James 31 

Magoun , G. F 466 

Magruder, James 6.50 

Marner, J.J 4.50 

Marsh, Mrs. E. H 397 

Marsh, Rodney 524 

McChesney, R. A 369 

McCollister, James 283 

McCrory, Glenn .522 

McCune, T. S 655 



McDonnell, Eneas 517 

McGill, A. C 385 

Mclntire, J. E 732 

McManus, Eev. P. A 280 

Meardon, Willia.-n 363 

Meyer, F. N 629 

Meyers, Isaac 5.55 

Miller, Fred 256 

Miller, J. J .561 

Miller, W. H :M0 

Mills, L. H 725 

Moler, John 3S6 

Monroe, James 35 

Moore, John 570 

Morelaud, A. L 451 

Morgan, Roswell 498 

Morrison, Hon. A. J 355 

Morrison, W. A 121 

Morrison, W. li 633 

Morsman, M. J. , M. D 131 

Mortland, R. L 432 

Mousley, J. E 657 

Mueller, Valentine 42H 

Murphy, Hon. S.J 214 

Murphy, P. F 523 

Musser, J. D BIO 

Myers, Eli 273 

Myers, J. H 323 



Neely, J. E 376 

Neff, S. C 297 

Nicholson, Benjamm 731 



Oakes, U. C 714 

Oakes, Nicholas 228 

Ohl,A. R 435 

Oldaker, A. J 377 

Oldaker, J. W 127 

Olson, Haldar 666 

Orr.W.V 226 

Otto, Max 627 



Paine, S.E 149 

Parish, M. C 651 

Parsons, H. H 702 

Parsons, Lyman 667 

Patterson, Bruce 371 

Patterson, H. E 430 

Patterson, Hon. James .587 

Patterson. L B 317 

Patton.J. H 199 

Patty, Isaac 6,33 



Pauba, J. W 291 

Peters, A. C, M D 2.i4 

Pierce, Fi'anklin 71 

Polk, James K 59 

Porter, J. M 567 

Porter, Hon. J. W 203 

Powell, George 153 

Pratt, Charles 124 

Pratt, Hon . U. A 31 1 

Pratt, Rev. H. O 243 

Pratt, W. E 278 

Proctor, F. O 408 

Prosser, D. D 677 

Prosser, William 476 



Rainsburg, Thoma.-^ 172 

Kanck, Hon. C. S 729 

Slandall, D R 668 

Ray uer, Joseph 712 

Rees, J. J ]ti9 

Remley, Milton 1.55 

Reno, C. M 267 

Ressler, J. J 255 

Rickard, Martin 606 

Ricord, Jacob 192 

Riley, Edward 472 

Robberts,C. L (isfi 

Robbins, Gilmore ii9i; 

Robertson, Joseph 615 

Robinson, Hon. Levi 270 

Rock, F. C 210 

Rogers, D. F 264 

Rohret, Peter 367 

Rosenberger, Anthony 673 

Ross, Gen. L. F 123 

Roup, R. M 190 

Rowland, Evan 639 

Rubelman , Andrew 609 

Rundell, Leroy 220 

Rutherford, J. S 706 



Sampson, George 442 

Sanders, G. L 315 

Sangster, Ebenezer 556 

Satchell, J. W 299 

Schmidt. Peter.. ., 600 

Schoir, C. E 343 

Schulte, Rev. A. J 2.16 

Secrest, J. H 465 

Sharpless, Samuel 227 

Shaver, D. K 18S 

Shaver. Capt. P. E 295 

^Sheetz.M. A 638 

'' Shelley, R. T 462 

Shepardson, J. J 443 

Sherman, Mrs. Anginette 482 

Sherman. Henry 249 

Shrader, J. C, M. D 143 



INDEX. 



Simpson. James 592 

Simpson, W. S., M. D 2M 

Sinl{s. Henry 3S0 

Skinner, E. H cei 

Slezalc. Joseph 162 

Smith, C. B 177 

Smith, C. E 5S8 

Smith, G. B 621 

Smith, J. E 327 

Smith, W. F R69 

Smyth, Robert 493 

Specht, J. F 274 

Speight, Henry 403 

Springmire, H.J 597 

Stanley, J. T 711 

Stapleton. Tiioma- 183 

Steele, Alonz) 330 

Steele, Lonis (*.'i6 

Stewart. Hon. David 319 

Stickle, A. H iOr, 

Stock. John .594 

Storer, Jerry 175 

Stover. J. Y i;i(; 

Stover, M. W 528 

Strohm, Henry 419 

Sullivan, Henry 563 

Sntliir, H. S 544 

SwalTord, Lieut. J. B .591 

Sweet, David 478 

Swisher, A. E 165 



Tanner, Frank 284 



Tantlinger, John 575 

Taylor. Zachary 63 

Teneick, W. P 513 

Thomas, D.R 646 

Thomas, Z.arth 133 

Thompson, J. H 449 

Thompson. John 477 

Thompson, Reziu 689 

Tliompson, S. H 623 

Thomson, J. B 448 

Tranter, Thomas 539 

Triplett, Luther 511 

Turner, J. T 704 

Tyler, John .55 



Ulch, George 

Ulum. J. U 

Upmeier, William. 

Upmier, Henry 

Utley.S. J 



Vanderlip, Squire 
Van Evra, J. E. .. 
Van Fleet, J. R... 



w 



Wagner, Hon. G. W 

Wagner. R.C 

Waldron, J. L 

Walker, J. C 

Walker, Joseph 

Wallace, L. E 

Washington, Georg( 

Watson, G. W 

Weeber, I. S 

Weeks, Henry 

Wesco, Reuben 

Westcott, Albert 

Westcott, Emory 

Whetstone, J. H 

White, Rev. J. C 

Wieneke, H. J 

Willard, W. O 

Willett, E. A 

Williams, G.R 

Williams, Prof. J. H. 

Willis, J. K 

Wilson, D.H 



W^ilson, J. S 079 

Wolfe, Capt. L. R 213 

Wolfe, William 3.59 

Wortman, B. F 302 

Wrage, William 6!K) 

Wray, C. B 320 

Wray.K.H n-.H 



Yoder, C. C. . 
Yoder, S. H. . , 
Young, Miller 



Zenischek, Joseph. 
Zeni-shek, George. . 



IPOI^TI^^ITS. 



■ Adams, E. >I 5S1V • Denton, Robert 708 V 

, Adams, John 22 • Devault, Strawder 

, Adams, John Q 38^, Dilatush, John 18G I.- 
Adams, Moses 458'^ Dodder. G. W 

Arthur, Chester A "^HT Englert, J. J 

Barber, D.S 470^' Fillmore, Millard 66>^ 

Bartlett, Lyman 3481^ o Fisher, J. H 614 

Blakely, A. J 672 "' Fry, John 718 

Bloom, Moses 180 ^'' Furnas, Robert 532 

Brainerd, M. H 174 1'^ Garfield. James A 94 

Bricker, John 304'-' •• Geiger, Anton r9S 

Brown, J. G 502^/ Gould, John 6421/ 

Brown, Mrs. J. G 503 ^ ' Grant, U. S 8H 

Buchanan, James 741/ ■ Grinnell, J. B 136 

Caldwell, Col. J. J 224 •■ Haas. J. M 246 

Cerny, Joseph 686 ^^Hall, Capt G.R 218' 

Chafee, Miles 208 v4 . Hamilton, H 240u- 

Cherry, A. R 390 >-{ Happy, Emory 602 

Clark. J. X 230 >^ Harrison, Benjannn lOli 

Cleveland, S. Grover 102 V/' Harrison, W. H 30 

Close, C. D 158 V-'. Haye-s, R. B 90 

Cochran, William 661 M^ Hotz, Simeon 262 1/ 

Combe, Thomas ;i71v ' Hunter, Lemuel 3S0y 



v'. 



^< 



Jackson, Andrew 

Jefferson, Thomas 

Johnson, Andrew 82 

Johnson, S.vlvanus 670 

Kirkwood, Gov. S. J 1I6U 

Lathrop, H. W 196 

Lincoln , Abraham 78 

Lucas, C. A 332 

Lytle.S.S.. M. D 48K 

Madison, James 30 

M.arsh, L. H 396 

McChesney, R. A S^S 

McCollister, James 282 

McCune,T. S (EH 

McDonnell, Eneas 516 

Monroe. James 34 

Morsman, M. J.,M. D 130 

Myers. Eli 272 

Ohl, A.R 431 

Otto, Ma.x 626 

Patterson, L. B 316 

Pierce, Franklin 70 

Polk. J. K 58 



Porter, J. W '>02 <-- ' 

\Ai Powell, George 1.52 w 

ix ' Pratt. D. A . .310 "^ 

W^ Prosser, D. D i;7R I -' 

Ranck, C. S 728 \,^ 

vK Shaver, Capt. P. E 2S4 '-^^ 

Shrader. J. CM. D 142 1^-^ 

Smith. G. B 620 '■^'^ 

V ■ Smith, J. E 32ii i--^ 

>4 ■ Speight, Henry 402 >/ 

Strohm, Henry 1 IS i- 

SwafTord, J. B .590 ^^ 

Swisher, A. E 161 

Taylor, Zachary 62 "^ 

''Tyler, John 54 >^ 

•Van Buren, Martin 46 '-' 

Vanderlip, H 5 18 ■-•' 

Van Fleet, J. R 288 v^ 

Washington, George 18 ^ 

' Willis, J. R 647 >-^ 

'Willis, Mrs. J. R 6)8-^ 

Wolfe, William 3.58 w^ 

Yoder, C. C 440 ./ 



l' 



V' 



INDEX. 



^lE^W^S. 



Ady, Joshua 445 

Albright, Abraham 479' 

Bro^^Ti, George 691 

Cray, Jeremiah 577 

Dalton, Peter 491' 

Davidson, Albert 631 

Downing, W. H 577 



Follter, John 611 ^ 

Ooodale, Cornelius 509U 

Kolda, Joseph 537 ^ 

Marsh. Kodney 525'^ 

Miller, J.J 565 v^ 

Morrison, W. H 6.11 v' 

Porter, J. HI .^Kiv 



Rickard, Martin S07 - 

Rubelman, Andrew 607 ^' 

Secrest, J. H 4(>3^ 

Shelley, R. T 463'- 

Srayth. Robert 491v 

Stock, John .595 \.-^ 

Sweet, Caleb 479 v/ 



Triplett, Luther 5llS 

Ulch, George 145 

Upmier, Henry .5.>'i ^ 

VanEvra.J. E 411 , 

Wagner, R. C 423 V 

Walker, Henrv 4'23 \y 

Wrage, Willia'm 691 %>f 

Zenishek, George .537 v^ 




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